Repotting question

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emw121199 Bronx, NY Sep 28, 2008

I just repotted a plant from a 12 inch pot to a 14 inch pot, adding more soil to the bottom and sides. Will the roots eventually move beyond the original rootball and into the surrounding new soil? Is there anything I can add or do to facilitate this? Although the original rootball was damp, it was a solid mass; I usually run the rootball under the faucet to loosen and discard old soil but I didn't this time, and I just wondered if anyone else just puts their plants into new pots without unwinding and teasing out the roots first (something I also usually do). Thanks

Eileen

Post #5607440
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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) Sep 28, 2008

This has been bandied about on a couple of sites. Let me assure you from years of experience that new roots will form in the new soil. You could have "teased" or lightly cut the potbound roots, but new roots will grow outward. The roots in a mass will STAY in a mass, but it doesn't hurt anything. If you're planting something like a tree or shrub in the ground, please do take a utility knife and cut through the outer layer of roots. It hastens the spread of new roots outward. Washing off the roots is unnecessary.

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