Sustainable Horticulture
Root Inspection
Prior to purchasing plants, it is vital to inspect them for serious problems. If you are buying large quantities of a species, inspect a representative sample. Plants that have life-threatening injuries or problems should not be purchased. The following are some things to look out for when buying a plant.
Root quality is essential--poor roots can damage or even kill plants and need to be corrected or removed prior to installation. Things to watch out for include:
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Circling roots - these can circle back and girdle the stem, and should be straightened or removed
Circling roots above the soil surface are indicative of stress
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Kinked or kneed roots - as the kinked portion of the root hardens, the plant will no longer be able to move water and nutrients through that root
This kinked root turns and grows at a 90 degree angle when it enters the soil
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Uneven root growth – can lead to uneven shoot growth and be indicative of stress that killed roots on one side; these plants can survive, but will need extra care and water
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Pot bound roots: when left in a container too long, roots often grow all around the edge of the container, circling back on themselves and getting kinked; container bound roots should be loosened and straightened and defective roots pruned out prior to planting
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Dead, damaged (including rotting or decayed), or diseased roots - should be removed
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In container grown plants, you should be able to wiggle the trunk without the root system moving. If the roots do move, the plant may have a poor system or may have been recently transplanted to a larger container. Inspect the root system carefully.
This plant was in a four-inch container for too long before being potted up into a larger container. The roots should have been straightened and spread out when it was repotted.
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