chelatna wrote in
:

saki wrote:

I'm a great believer in knowing what's going on with roots as much as
one can because the health of container roses can depend on it. This
is the area where roses continue to surprise me; mine are always
outgrowing their pots when I'm least prepared for it. When I don't
have anything bigger to put them in, I apply bonsai techniques and
prune back a small portion of the roots, adding fresh soil to the
bottom of the pot and pruning minimally on top to balance root loss,
and water once replanted.

Hmmm. I hadn't really considered using bonsai techniques but it makes
a lot of sense. Would you recommend sealing the cut ends of the large
roots like I do the canes?

Not necessary. For the most part you'd be trimming small fibrous roots,
and these don't need special protection. I've cut back larger roots as
well without the plant fussing at all.

Naturally you'd only do this if the plant is already showing signs of
being rootbound (I'd avoid trying this technique on a plant loaded with
buds) and only if you can also lightly trim foliage as well to balance
(more or less) the root mass you'd be removing.

Of course don't tell Mr. Hennessey!

http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/main.html

(An excellent article by Jim Delahanty on one of the more eccentric
rosarians in history. Mr. Hennessey did not like folks to prune roots, or
much else, apparently....)

Thanks for the other suggestions and things to look for. This is all
really helpful. I'll post some pictures later when I have good plants
and flowers.

Please do. I'd like to see them.

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