I got this tree last Monday and it is going through minor shock from going from a nursery to my porch, I checked the roots today and noticed it is pretty root bound, I am in a predicament now as I’ve been told re-potting an already stressed tree can cause it to die, but I’m also told being root bound can cause death, I would wait untill the tree stops stressing but I’m afraid it will be too late in the season to re-pot. I need advice badly
by ThatOneVQ
9 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/5n93g7idx2rg1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acb9797195df36fea1b3ec22bd2a5125f87aee43
Here’s a pic of the tree if anyone wants to see it, this was a day or two after I got it, it is doing better now but not 100% there are still some bronze tips here and there
Looks fine for now, dont futs with it too much for a few weeks. When there’s a lengthy period of overcast or rain, (or ideally just in the fall months at this point cause the window for you down there might be closing soon) you can probably pot it into a crate or container.
When you get around to it, dont cut those roots, just try to tease them out of soil & detangle them a bit. The roots you tease out of that ‘cylindre’ shape will be covered in whatever substrate you decide to go with, in a slightly bigger, but marginally less “tall” container.
After the proceedure, keep it out of direct sun for a few weeks. Shade cloth is ideal but work with what you got. Keep it humid but not soaked.
—
Remeber: from nursery pot, your best bet is going to some intermediary container. I dont want to see this tree re-posted in a ceramic pot any time before 2028 minimum, capiche?
Look up slip potting, just ease it into a bigger pot.
I wouldn’t call that rootbound, maybe root-full. Is the tree showing signs of decline? Struggling to grow? If not and it’s taking up water normally then it should be good for at least through the season.
Doesn’t looked stressed. Doesn’t look rootbound. Take a deep breath
Take a deep breath, it’s going to be ok. Just keep watering it, if you want to up pot it you can, but juniper’s strength is all in the foliage. I’ve had trees in pots like this for a decade or so, they don’t grow much, but they’re fine.
Just slip-pot it into a larger pot without disturbing the roots.
Not at all root bound, do you have a rooot rake? Very generally comb the roots out when repotting and cut them to fit the pot. Remember the big woody roots don’t suck up the water and food, only the hair like roots with white tips do that so try to keep those in tact first
It’s a blessing. Now you can train it