What is the best method for salvaging root bound plants?

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graciesmoxie Jamaica Plain, MA Aug 27, 2010

I am on a tight budget these days and thus I often buy perennials on sale. I try to find ones that are not root bound but this time I messed up and bought 4 fountain grass plants each in a 1 gallon container. The plants look healthy enough but I had to cut the plastic bottoms off in order to get the plant out of the pot. At the bottom of each plant there is a dense circular mass of roots between .75 to 1.25 inches thick and many root traveling up the sides of the root system. I do want to keep the plants because they are perfect for filling in some empty spots in my front flower garden.
This is not the first time I have had to deal with extremely root/ pot bound plant material. I need to either be told by "those who know better" to just stop being foolish and forgo these bargains or to tell what I can to do to improve these problematic root systems and how best to care for them after planting them in my garden.
I thank you for your help!

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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 27, 2010

Soak them a little in water and then if still real tight you'll have to score them before planting

Post #8065320
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graciesmoxie Jamaica Plain, MA Aug 27, 2010

How deep should the blade go into the root system? Is a utility knife the best tool to use? How long is too long to soak the plant? Once the plant is in the ground is there anything special I should pay attention to? Sorry for all the questions I guess I am anxious the plants be successful once they are placed and cared for in my garden. Thanks again.

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) Aug 27, 2010

I used a sharpened trowel to score the roots. Not knife sharp but sharp enough to dig in soil properly. Give it a good SCORE, not CUT. You don't want to cut off the roots, just loosen them. Flare out the roots after you do that and get as many loose as you can. Sometimes you have to sacrifice some roots but try not to lose too many.

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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 27, 2010

15 mins I guess should do the trick of softening it up.

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