Khaimraj: I doubt that root tips are moving around sharp soil particles or are
split by them. However, soil with sharp particles tends to drain better. Good
drainage in a container usually means healthier plants.
The Grewia you describe had a bad situation. It is tempting to do an
incomplete repotting sometimes, but the situation you describe is unhealthy and
potentially lethal to your tree. Trees planted with dense clay around the base and
looser soil at the edges will tend to have problems with the clay area drying out
while water readily seeks the looser soil through which it can drain. This is true
of both container and ground plantings. People make a big mistake when they plant a
balled and burlapped tree in the ground without loosening up the soil packed around
the roots. It's even worse in the limited confines of a container. You then have
two or three different moisture zones and effective watering is nearly impossible.
Sometimes the tree can take a joke and survive, but it is a poor horticultural
practice.
Better luck next time.
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com
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Khaimraj Seepersad wrote:
SNIP
A question Jim or anyone.
Do sharp ingredients in the soil mix [crushed sifted
brick or crushed sifted silica gravel or other] really
give one more root branching and better branching above
soil ? [Because the root tips move around the sharp particles.]
I read this years ago and never questioned it.
Reason for asking I just lost a Grewia Caffra, because I
stupidly forgot to change the soil mix the plant came it
[high clay crap] and just potted on into a 2 gallon pot.
Was a 8 x 8 x 8 " pot originally.
Result after 3 years and much growth. I cut away half of
the root and didn't realise all the feeders were in my mix
not the original soil. The plant slowly dried.
Starting over, but wondering if a mix with sharp ingredients
would really make a difference?
[Starting over with a 1/3 of a 55 gallon plastic barrel, I have
3 years to make up for. Bah Humbug.]
Thanks for any responses.
Khaimraj
[West Indies/Caribbean,
Sempre Spring zone.]
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