Pot full of mycorrhiza is hard to water ?

[davetree]

I have a Japanese black pine that is mature, and healthy by all appearances. I repotted last year, pruning roots. The pine grew very well, but this spring I have noticed mycorrhiza in the pot and throughout the soil. Water drained a little slowly today and I am wondering if it is possible for mycorrhiza to clog up a pot ? I know it sounds weird, but there is a lot of it in there. I aerated the soil, but I would like to know your opinions, thanks.

 

[Adair M]

Could it be that the roots grew so well in that medium last year that it has become root-bound again?

 

[davetree]

Yes it could very well be. I am going to pull it out of the pot and see, take some pictures....

 

[Shimpaku]

Your problem is my dream. Sounds like a JBP wonderland. What's your secret?

 

[Eric Schrader]

I have this problem with some of the pines that I've grown from seed in pond baskets. The roots tend to get so dense that it becomes hard to water. I repotted one this past winter and found the rootball full of tiny roots and microrrhiza. My typical solution is to remove about the top inch of soil (less if the pot is very shallow) and replace it with fresh soil. That allows the air and water to penetrate more easily. Repotting is also obviously an option. The other option is to water it, walk away for 2 minutes then water again and walk away for 2 minutes and then water a third time. That should get the rootball soaking all the way through even if it is slow draining....just make sure it's drying out in between waterings.

 

[Bill S]

What do you use for soil??

 

[davetree]

all screened 50% turface mvp, 25% pumice, 25% Akadama. I have been busy, but will look at the rootball soon.

 

[Bill S]

Where are you located, freezing winters?? I ask because it could be the akadama has turned to mush from freeze thaw cycles, there has been some around that does not hold up.

 

[gergwebber]

Is the water only draining slow, or is it absorbing slow as well/instead?

 

[davetree]

Update: The tree is growing and absorbing water. i aerated, cleaned the top soil up a bit, added some new soil, and everything is fine. The akadama in my mix holds up through winter, no problem.