I have some pot-bound shrubs which I need to plant out in the garden. Should I try to tease out some of the roots to spread them ? (I am afraid of leaving air-spaces between them) OR can I make two or three cuts with a sharp knife to encourage them to grow new finer roots, OR should I just put them in as they are, and PRAY?
I'm no expert on this and perhaps someone will have the benefit of more experience than I but I wouldn't leave them just as they are - I would have thought either of the other alternatives would be better. I'd give them a good soaking, let it sink in a while and then tease out as much as I could before planting in a hole bigger than the pot, filling in with compost. And then another good watering to help make the new soil sink down, adding more as needed up to the original planting depth. Is this a good time to plant now, though (don't know if Mid-Wales is getting the same very dry conditions as here)?
Any time I plant pot bound shrubs etc. (and plants from the garden center usually are) I as you said "tease" out the roots. It's really best for the plant. Otherwise they will continue to grow in a circle and the roos will say bound to one another not allowing for enough proper drainage etc. in between roots. Cutting with a knife sounds extreme as you don't want to do to much damage. It takes a few extra minutes but is well worth it. When plant is watered (not soggy but not bone dry) pop out of pot and with your fingers "tease" roots from their tangle. You'd be amazed at the very long pieces (of root) you discover. Plant where you planned allowing enough space for newly "freed" roots and of course water well.
