This Jade Gollum has been in the same pot of multipurpose compost for the last 5-6 years. I didn’t know much about plants or succulents back then, so potted it in any soil, and since the plant was happy just left it. Now trying to repot in the correct soil for it, but there’s hundreds of tiny roots throughout. The soil is now solid and I think hydrophobic. It’s been sitting on water overnight, thinking that might soften it for easier removal, but no joy.
by Chocokat1
6 Comments
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Simply slice off the bottom third of the root ball with a very sharp knife. That is the only option you have at this point. It will do no harm to the plant. https://imgur.com/a/jounlue
Trying to untangle a compacted root system will do more harm than good.
Make sure those rocks go with the slicing off of the bottom and please, do **not** place rocks in the bottom of the pot again. They do no good for the plant. https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2019/09/06/should-you-put-gravel-or-rocks-at-the-bottom-of-plant-pots-for-drainage/
water. take a gardenhose ans rinse the old soil out.
Just to inform you that you will get rid of every microorganisms that your plant has adapted and is thriving with for the last couple of years. Removing all of the soil just to have the plant in completely the exact type of soil is some next level OCD impulsive acting. I have been their a couple of times for no reason and i ended up with a plant that died or wasn’t looking so great anymore for way to long until i decided to trash it.
I work in a plant nursery and we actually want the root ball and the soil of most of out plants in different types of soil. The potting mix we use is just a medium that hold all the needed nutrients and water for the plant. But the root ball the plant was growing in first is mostly a medium that has no fertilizers in it and can hold a lot of water. This way the plant can grow roots without burning them, will have a water reservoir later on when it is pottet up in potting mix and will keep the microorganisms for their new home. Also this way the microorganisms have also a new home they can feast on.
Those things makes new roots over night. Dont worry about it. I use a fast food fork. Plastic or wood works fine
As some others have said, you really don’t need to be precious about a jade plant. You could just lop off all the roots and let it grow new ones. It would be fine. Just don’t over water it. If you put it in new soil, I’d say add some more inorganic material to make it faster draining.