So it is a question of
recognizing when is the right time to move to a larger pot. It is just before
the plant begins to starve for lack of growing medium.
Also a great deal
depends on individual conditions, rate of drying out, etc.
I once visited a
tropical collection under glass in England where I saw some of the
hugest leaves on anthuriums and philodendrons. The secret was that everything
was planted in six inches of fibrous growing medium on a concrete floor, with
plenty of automatic misting. That heady mixture of water and air makes plants
grow like crazy.
Looking forward to
reading your article when it’s ready
John.
From: aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com
[mailto:aroid-l-bounces@www.gizmoworks.com] On
Behalf Of ExoticRainforest
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010
9:07 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: [Aroid-l] Your input
please? rootbound.
Some of you know
that I love to chase down the sources of horticultural beliefs. If you
have ever spent time on any plant forum you know the common advice is to keep
your plants root bound, or at least when you repot give the roots only an "extra
fingers width" on each side the pot. My question is where do that
advice originate? Why do we believe it? Is this really good growing
advice or just an old wives tale? Are plants in the rain forest root
bound?
I understand that nursery men prefer to start their plants in small pots and
allow the roots to fill it before stepping the seedling up to a larger
pot. My understanding is they do this in order to encourage a hearty root
system first. But it appears some growers may have taken this advice to
excess and always keep their plant's root bound. Should we always keep
our aroids in pots so small their roots are for ever crowded, or give them
space to grow?
We always have new growers looking for good growing advice. If you have
adopted a small pot policy please tell us why. If you are an experienced
grower and prefer a tight pot method I would enjoy knowing the reasoning.
Many of you don't know that I have written for years for a variety of magazines
and I have another train of thought in this area. I am now working on a
new article to explain about aroid growth, a plant's need for oxygen around its
roots as well as how to keep their root systems healthy. This discussion
will help me to formulate my article.
If you are new to growing, please chime in.
Thanks!
Steve
www,ExoticRainforest.com
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