Part VIII - Living Walls - Rhododendrons & Azaleas: There are many gardeners now preaching the removal of everything

» Gay_Klok - There are many gardeners now preaching the removal of everything

There are many gardeners now preaching the removal of everything before planting -
When a plant has been in a pot for a longish time, the roots learn how to confine themselves into that area of constriction. This is very detremental to such surface rooting plants such as the Rhodos and Camellias.

The consequence of this is the roots begin to grow in a circle. When placed with the root ball into your well prepared growing area, the roots continue to curl around themselves and end up strangling themselves. The new theory is that on receiving a plant that has been confined for a growing season, whether it be in a pot or burlap, the planter should brush most of the soil away, uncurl the roots and if necessary, cut them so you can sort of comb them out. It is obvious if the roots have been growing in good soil and have not been confined, then it is preferable to plant undisturbed.

Two more observations - quite often plants such as Rhodos don't show lack of water or too much water until 1 ir 2 years later. The other is that it is a good idea to build up the area where the plant is to be placed

Tasmanian Garden Journal Come for a stroll in my garden, great photos

-- posted by Gay_Klok