bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Root Balls On Nursery Stock

Thanks for the responses everyone. Mostly I was just venting -
My current process is: 1) Remove plant from nursery container and soak in a solution of Miracle Grow & Super Thrive (stop laughing - I figure it can't hurt). 2) When I remove it, I use a chopstick or roothook (depending on how bad it is) to loosen the outer layer of circling roots. I'll also use the chopstick (as well as fingers and thumbs) to probe into the "soil" and loosen it. 3) I then use a garden hose set to the hardest stream I can get. 4) I'll then use the roothook to begin combing out the roots. 5) Repeat 2 - 4 as necessary with an occasional 1 thrown in when exhaustion sets in or I seem to be making no progress. I have to admit, usually, this seems to work fairly well and I end up with some decently spreading roots. However, what really got me frustrated over the last few weeks is that I spent a little more to get some larger stock and the roots were SO bad that I couldn't completely untangle them. After the responses regarding nursery practices, however, I understand better why that is. I REALLY wish I lived closer to Brent to buy all of my stock from him. All I can afford from him though, with shipping as a major consideration, are the smaller plants. With the way he takes care of his plants, they require almost no rootwork at all - just make sure they are still spread out correctly when they get repotted! I do make my purchases, as much as possible, at Bonsai nurseries. Unfortunately, for all the reasons mentioned, the large plants that have been properly prepared to be Bonsai are 2 to 3 times (or more) as expensive as the equivalent nursery plant. A lot less work - but, alas, I do have more time than money....

4-May-2004	#5
IsomJ1 bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: Sep-2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 90	Thanks for the responses everyone. Mostly I was just venting - My current process is: 1) Remove plant from nursery container and soak in a solution of Miracle Grow & Super Thrive (stop laughing - I figure it can't hurt). 2) When I remove it, I use a chopstick or roothook (depending on how bad it is) to loosen the outer layer of circling roots. I'll also use the chopstick (as well as fingers and thumbs) to probe into the "soil" and loosen it. 3) I then use a garden hose set to the hardest stream I can get. 4) I'll then use the roothook to begin combing out the roots. 5) Repeat 2 - 4 as necessary with an occasional 1 thrown in when exhaustion sets in or I seem to be making no progress. I have to admit, usually, this seems to work fairly well and I end up with some decently spreading roots. However, what really got me frustrated over the last few weeks is that I spent a little more to get some larger stock and the roots were SO bad that I couldn't completely untangle them. After the responses regarding nursery practices, however, I understand better why that is. I REALLY wish I lived closer to Brent to buy all of my stock from him. All I can afford from him though, with shipping as a major consideration, are the smaller plants. With the way he takes care of his plants, they require almost no rootwork at all - just make sure they are still spread out correctly when they get repotted! I do make my purchases, as much as possible, at Bonsai nurseries. Unfortunately, for all the reasons mentioned, the large plants that have been properly prepared to be Bonsai are 2 to 3 times (or more) as expensive as the equivalent nursery plant. A lot less work - but, alas, I do have more time than money.... __________________ Jeff Isom Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39