When to root prune?

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gofiger

Registered:1468681189
Posts: 71

Posted 1475671182	Reply with quote #1

Many things I have read suggest root pruning your potted figs every 3-5 years. My 3 year old tree is in a 15 gallon buried pot and I just finished a great season with lots of figs. What signs do I look for to determine if I should tackle the pruning this winter or if I can let it go for another year? I really don't want to disturb it if the pruning is not necessary yet. All comments welcome and thx for any help you have to offer. __________________ Steve Zone 5b-6a Oshawa Ontario That's Canada eh! Wish List: A Canadian member that is willing to share there cuttings with me.

tinyfish

Registered:1472353452
Posts: 223

Posted 1475702968	Reply with quote #2

Hey Steve. Have you considered moving up one size in pots. Not that I know just guessing but when the tree goes dormant are you not able to pull the tree from the pot and see how congested the roots are and then make the decision to root prune or not.

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1475715311	Reply with quote #3

You say buried pot? So you're bringing it inside for the winter? __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1475719303	Reply with quote #4

Steve, I would pull the tree out of the pot after it goes dormant just to see if it is root bound. I really doubt you could go 3 years without the need for a root prune, but that's just my opinion. I mean, you could try, but I think your tree's performance would decline, even though it is buried. You are severing the roots that come out of the buried pot each year, and those roots can get pretty thick, providing a lot of that energy that was needed. Also, be sure to prune the top growth so you balance the tree. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

gofiger

Registered:1468681189
Posts: 71

Posted 1475725443	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by Sas You say buried pot? So you're bringing it inside for the winter? Yes it goes in my cold cellar and its a 2 person job. __________________ Steve Zone 5b-6a Oshawa Ontario That's Canada eh! Wish List: A Canadian member that is willing to share there cuttings with me.

gofiger

Registered:1468681189
Posts: 71

Posted 1475762640	Reply with quote #6

Quote: Originally Posted by tinyfish Hey Steve. Have you considered moving up one size in pots. Not that I know just guessing but when the tree goes dormant are you not able to pull the tree from the pot and see how congested the roots are and then make the decision to root prune or not. I won't be upsizing my pot. It is already a 2 person job to lug it downstairs into the cold cellar. I was hoping to avoid unpotting the tree to check the roots. I was hoping someone would give me some visual clues to look for to determine if I had to tackle the root pruning or if it could wait another season. I got 167 main crop figs..no brebas... from this 4 foot high tree this season. It seems healthy as a horse. I just don't wanna hack it up yet if I don't have to. __________________ Steve Zone 5b-6a Oshawa Ontario That's Canada eh! Wish List: A Canadian member that is willing to share there cuttings with me.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1475829007	Reply with quote #7

Hi, Without checking the roots, you know for sure that a tree is root-bound when she performs weakly, when some leaves start to fall at mid-season, stem growth is weak, inter-nodal spaces are short, fruits don't ripen evenly or they don't grow full-size. So basically, when it is too late ... To avoid that, root-prune in time. So check the roots , and check the dirt. If the roots have no dirt to expand to, and the dirt looks sandy, it is time to root-prune and replace the dirt with new dirt, new loam in my case. I have 3 trees that performed poorly/oddly this year ... and they are due to root-prune ... I'm shying away from that too, as it is going to be a mess ... But, it shall be done ... You may be able to wait an additional year if you surface the trees: Remove 3'' to 1' / 20 to 30cm of dirt at the surface of the containers and replace that with fresh potting mix. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

gofiger

Registered:1468681189
Posts: 71

Posted 1475844876	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by jdsfrance Hi, Without checking the roots, you know for sure that a tree is root-bound when she performs weakly, when some leaves start to fall at mid-season, stem growth is weak, inter-nodal spaces are short, fruits don't ripen evenly or they don't grow full-size. So basically, when it is too late ... Thx for that. Like I said my tree is healthy as a horse. But what you said there makes a lot of sense to me. She will be going under the knife this winter. __________________ Steve Zone 5b-6a Oshawa Ontario That's Canada eh! Wish List: A Canadian member that is willing to share there cuttings with me.

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