Unhealthy roots in a strainer?

[Fred1991]

Hi all! I got a tree juniper cheap last year. I got it cheap because the roots were unhealthy. I’m wondering if putting the tree in a strainer is bad idea?

If yes what do you recommend I do? Stupidly I have already done it and only after wondered if this was a bad idea?

 

[sorce]

I’m wondering if putting the tree in a strainer is bad idea?

Pics! To save a thousand words.

I believe there are no less than 2.7 million scenarios that could make the answer to that question change.

What's your scenario?

Sorce

 

[Fred1991]

I’m not sure how much the pic actually will tell in this instance. I didn’t take a pic of the roots when I had it out.

 

[Fred1991]

It didn't upload on the last post for some reason

 

[sorce]

Seems it could be a device to make an exposed Root tree?

Is there more walls and smaller soil in another container in there?

Reckon it would have died already if not, at least without a constant water fall running through it.

Sorce

 

[Fred1991]

Seems it could be a device to make an exposed Root tree?

Is there more walls and smaller soil in another container in there?

Reckon it would have died already if not, at least without a constant water fall running through it.

Sorce

No it's basically just a home made strainer.

I'm wondering if i should take it out and put it in some spaghnum moss or something?

 

[sorce]

Damn, Sorry!

1. I forgot you put it in there.
2. I thought your hand was a slab so I thought was way bigger.
3. It doesn't seem unhealthy!

Tough call.

I was thinking jam it in a similar sized bucket with a couple holes and maybe shake some finer soil in there.

Sorce

 

[Fred1991]

basically i bought tree planted in hunderd percent akadama. It smelled stagnant and had poor drainage, so i was quite sure the roots wasn't in a good state. So i wanted to repot in new soil. When i took it out i realized the room ball was nearly non existent.I thought - let me put it in a strainer so i can get back vigor in the roots. But then when i was done i wondered if this was actually a bad idea when the tree was already unhealthy, and maybe i should have done something else. Of course i have already done it but i was also unsure if redoing would add more detrimental stress to the tree.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

It didn't upload on the last post for some reason

View attachment 363373

In summer that will dry quick af right?

 

[Fred1991]

Yee it will. but then won't all strainers? its not too bad at the moment. i'm in the uk and doesn't even dry out every day.
I'm aware i might have made a really poor choice creation here tho ha

but i feel like taking it out and putting in something else will be detrimental too the tree.

might be best the whole thing, with net and everything. in another container with smaller holes.

 

[penumbra]

If the plant looks better, you did the right thing. Now you just need to monitor response and conditions throughout the season.

 

[Shibui]

Junipers DO like good drainage but they do NOT like getting dry. UK is not known for hot, dry summers but just be aware this planting arrangement will require extra water in drier weather. Unfortunately juniper do not give us much warning and by the time you notice signs it is often way too late.

 

[Fred1991]

Yes I gonna say i don't think i will don't think i can see any sign of improvement already as its only been a short time. I've had it out on the ground and after a windy i could see it was drying out quickly (fingers crossed it didn't dry out too much. so i've put it in a unheated green house for shelter. that green house isn't placed perfectly and doesn't give 100 percent optimal light but should be fine. I guess theres not much i can do but keep it in there and hope for the best. In terms of fertilizer would you hold off for now? and what sign should i look for for root improvement so i can begin fertilizing?

 

[Shibui]

New shoots growing will be a good indication of recovery if you want to wait.
I personally start feeding trees soon after repotting. I do not believe Fert soon after repot causes problems.
Rather than keeping the tree in a shaded area to prevent drying you could sink your new sieve pot into a larger plastic pot. The larger pot will retain better moisture. Roots will grow through the mesh but will be pruned as they thicken too much which should promote plenty of fine roots inside the sieve pot while allowing increased root growth in the extra space provided by the second pot. I have several shimpaku junipers growing this way Planted in pots in second pots of gravel (rather than your sieve pot) and getting good growth and thickening.

 

[Fred1991]

yes i might do that. its not shaded in the green house tbf. just not as bright as outside. but i think especially being in dark uk i will opt for the pot in pot. So you are saying the outer pot just has gravel in it? would that be just ordinary potting gravel?

 

[Mycin]

if you struggle to keep it wet in the heat, you can slip the whole contraption into a slightly larger pot to encircle the bottom and sides of the strainer. Helps cut down on wind blowing through the soil. Another repot seems like could be too much stress

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Junipers DO like good drainage but they do NOT like getting dry. UK is not known for hot, dry summers but just be aware this planting arrangement will require extra water in drier weather. Unfortunately juniper do not give us much warning and by the time you notice signs it is often way too late.

Totally right, oxigenation in the roots and drainage its good but too much not at all, same as too much water and low oxigenation. Maybe try a smaller mesh strainer and soil with more water retention to equilibrate water/oxigenation

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I like deep pots. I especially like the plastic ones that have holey bottoms.

 

[Adair M]

Ok, so I have to ask some questions: When you took it out of the old pot, did you do anything to the roots? You said it was old akadama. Was it a solid mass? You said it had bad roots. Were they black and rotting? Or just compacted? Or what?

Because...

If you just stuck the solid mass of compacted akadama and roots in this, and just backfilled with this soil, that’s pretty much a recipe for disaster. The roots won’t grow into this mix without encouragement. They are in dense clay, that when wet, holds a lot of water. The new soil has a lot of air space, and doesn’t hold water. What will happen is the roots in the old akadama will slowly dry out the old root ball. That’s where the roots are, and the top will want water. You will water the tree, of course, but the new soil drains fast. Really fast. So fast, in fact, that it will not saturate the old root ball. Water that lands on it will roll off, get to the side, next to and into the new soil, and run to the bottom of the pot. Over time, the old root ball gets dryer and dryer, even though you water the pot. The tree could die from lack of water!

What you should have done was to use chopsticks, root hooks and gentle stream of water to remove all the soil from half of the old root ball. Not all the way around, just one half, or the other. Keeping the other side largely intact. Now, when you pot the tree in the new soil, half the roots will be in the old soil, and half will be in the new soil. So, the side in the old soil can sustain the tree while the roots in the new soil grow new fine feeder roots in the new soil. And now, your watering will be effective because the side you barefooted will be getting wet, and they’ll absorb water.

In a year or two, do the other side.

 

[Fred1991]

Thanks for the detailed reply adair! i did clear some of the soil to get some free hanging roots. but now i'm unsure if i cleared enough. I didn't clear more as the root ball was very small so i was trying to be a bit more gentle. Maybe if i only "dip-water" tree to make sure it gets saturated all the way through?