I have a large Bird of Paradise in a pot that I bring in and put in the greenhouse for the winter. I need to repot it and was wondering, to what extent can I root prune it ?
As you can see from where I live, I don't have as much experience with root pruning this type of plant as I do others.
Thanks!
Karl
Bird of Paradise
Where there are separate "Fans" at the base of the plant... You can simply divide these fanning sections and re-pot as long as the sections have some roots, they will grow.
Can you clarify what your BOP plant is? There are two completely unrelated plants that I frequently see people use that name for...Strelitizia (which would be treated as Dan said) and Caesalpinia (which is a shrub and wouldn't be divided that way)
Strelitzia: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=strelitzia&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
Caesalpinia: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=caesalpinia&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
ecrane3 is correct, I was assuming you meant the strelitzia.
What I have is a Strelitzia.
I sounds, from what DanKistner wrote, that it would divide easily enough, perhaps even similarly to a day lily. I am still curious, though, could I shave several inches off from the circumference of a root mass that needs to be repotted anyway.
I'd rather not divide it right now.
Yes, if you wanted to keep the entire mass that isn't a problem, You can easily shave off several inches. As long as there are roots left, you will be ok and it will come back fine.