Cherimoya (Custard Apple) - root question

[NormL]

Hi All;
I planted a Cherimoya (Custard Apple) a few months ago. It's really
looking a bit poorly with one small branch and four, healthy looking, green
leaves. It's just sitting there, doing nothing. Neither getting better or
worse!

Today, when I wasn't watching where I was going, I tripped over it.I
heard a loud crack and was convinced that I had broken the stem at ground
level. I dug it out to inspect the damage. It wasn't broken but the roots
sure didn't look very healthy.

There is no root hairs at all! There are a few stubs (short, thick, 20mm
long) that look like they were roots at one time - but no root hairs.

Is this normal? If not, how can I revive the plant?

Your advice would be appreciated.... Norm

[Chookie]

In article >, "NormL" >
wrote:

> Hi All;
> I planted a Cherimoya (Custard Apple) a few months ago. It's really
> looking a bit poorly with one small branch and four, healthy looking, green
> leaves. It's just sitting there, doing nothing. Neither getting better or
> worse!
>
> Today, when I wasn't watching where I was going, I tripped over it.I
> heard a loud crack and was convinced that I had broken the stem at ground
> level. I dug it out to inspect the damage. It wasn't broken but the roots
> sure didn't look very healthy.

It sounds root-bound. Is your soil heavy? Did you dig a nice big hole when
planting, or one just big enough to fit the root ball in?

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"In Melbourne there is plenty of vigour and eagerness, but there is
nothing worth being eager or vigorous about."
Francis Adams, The Australians, 1893.