This is a question for Christina, in particular, because I know she prunes the roots of her hoyas every year and grows beautiful plants. Does anyone else do it? I would like to know HOW you do it!
Thanks in Advance,
Carol
Root Pruning
Carol I have "pruned" my hoyas roots, as well as many other houseplants. I use a pair of sterilized scissors and cut the roots, most of which are usually long and hanging down.
Blessings,
Awanda
I've done that to my Brugmansias...but I'd be so *scared* to do it to my hoyas!
I'll be watching for Christina's answer, too.
Awanda...can you name, offhand, a few hoyas that you've root-pruned? Just curious....
Nan, I root pruned several pubicalxy, Krinkle 8, and Australis to name a few. I do it mainly when I want to keep them in the same pot. I of course wash and sterilize the pot and put in fresh potting soil. These hoyas seems to grow a lot faster than some of the others I have. I just recently pruned a couple ZZ plants so I could put them into shallow clay pots.
Blessings,
Awanda
Since hoya feed and take in water from the ends of those roots...do you leave some of the long ones on...or do you just wait for the new little feeder roots to form.
What time of year do you do this?
Carol
I took a stab at root pruning some of my Hoyas this year. I had heard that many growers in Sweeden use this method and my collection is getting up in numbers to the point that I will have to eliminate many species or take other measures.
I started out with Exotic Angel plants that were out of control. I removed the plants from their pots and I first dunked the root ball into a bucket of water amd gently removed as much soil as possible. Next, I used a water hose to wash off remaining soil. (Be prepared for a HUGE mess). I then pruned away any roots that did not look plump and healthy and pruned away just enough remaining roots so the root ball would fit back into the same size pot and laslty, I added fresh potting soil.I then kept the plants in a super shady area and all did famously. My EA H. kentiana has bloomed non stop for the past couple months, whereas, it had only bloomed sparsely in the past.
Interesting. I may have to do that - or - buy a whole slew of bigger pots, AGAIN. Thanks for all the info.
Carol I'll repot plants just about anytime; I always have and haven't lost a plant yet. You have to remember we usually have 300 + days of sunshine.
Blessings,
Awanda
Okay, I was going to do one hoya and take photos, but it's way too hot for repotting anything, so here goes:
1) cut off all roots outside the pot
2) get the whole rootball up
3) do not loosen the roots if they are compact
4) take a sharp knife and cut off up to 1 inch of the bottom roots
5) NOW loosen the roots that are left to try to get rid of any loose roots
6) pour new soil in the same pot and stick the cut rootball back in
7) if possible, try to add soil on the sides and on top
Once in a while I have to take a new pot a little bigger than the old one. I only prune roots on older plants. I try to repot young plants and cuttings the "normal" way.
Some might think my treatment of the roots sounds rough, but it works for me and I do get flowers a lot! If it's because I prune the roots I don't know. I started pruning the roots because I didn't want to have to buy new expensive planters.
When I get a cutting or a small plant, I try to figure out which planter it'll be in after a year or so. I can plant it in a small plastic pot and still have it in the planter. I add small leca in the planter so the plastic pot "fits" in it. Then I repot until I have the last possible size of plastic pot... Am I making any sense or am I rambling?
Christina
You make great sense Christina. Thanks for the info.
Now I am wondering, why is it that you only cut off the bottom? Wouldn't it be good to add some fresh dirt around the sides too? Should you cut off a little on the sides ever?
Another question I had about the leca you use is that I was wondering if it is absorbant? Does it soak up any water?
This stuff I have that is similar (Hydroton) is not. It is very lightweight and when I put some in water, it only floats, never soaks it up and sinks. Would the leca sink in water after a while?
Marcy
Nope, I don't cut the roots on the sides, but when I manage to loosen the roots some then there's room for fresh soil on the sides. I think the reason for cutting of the bottom part of the roots is that when that's done you normally only have roots on the sides, not in the middle and it's easier to find the roots you've cut off that are still in the rootball... NOW I'm rambling!
The leca is (I think) burnt clay pebbles and contains lots of air and are very absorbant. They float in water, even when they are wet. I don't think I've seen them sink.
This is one of those moments when I wish you ALL understood Swedish. If I repot one soon, I'll make sure that I take photos - or at least try to take photos that explains the "surgery".
Christina
Thanks for the good info everyone....I am just curious Christina, the reason you trim the roots is to keep the plant in the same pot to save space, am I correct?.....this way, you can keep the good growth on top and give it fresh soil and back in the same pot it goes?.....Can you do this even if you think the plant is rootbound yet hasnt given you any flowers at all?.....
Sandy
I do it to all plants when I feel they need it. Even if it hasn't bloomed. I just "know" how I want to cut a plants roots when I see them.
Christina
Hi everyone, Wow! This was a great post with keeper information. I may just attempt to trim some roots today, on a couple of plants that are really pot bound. I just love this forum. Deb
This message was edited Aug 25, 2005 12:17 AM
I'm with you Deb, I love this forum too! I've been in my three season porch all morning repotting hoyas, and trimming roots! To bad we couldn't live in the same state, that would make for an even more enjoyable afternoon. Pruning with friends!
~Heather