Question
QUESTION: Hi there,
In regards to repoting kentis, what should I do when the root system is balling out the bottom of the pot. I want to transplant them into other pots what do you recommend. I am aware of what soil to use but the size of the pot is my concern and can I trim the root ball? Any other helpful advice would be fantasic. Thanx.
Regards Mel

ANSWER: Hi Mel,

It is exceedingly rare that a mature Kentia needs repotting, so your Kentia repotting may not be necessary or even wise. If you are repotting because you don't like the appearance of the pot, then it is best to leave it in its existing pot which you place inside of a more attractive planter without disturbing the roots. You haven't mentioned your reason for wanting to repot, so I cannot say if it is a good idea. I will say that unnecessary repotting is the most common cause of plant failure. If you need more information on the decision to repot, let me know.

If you repot and have a mass of roots at the bottom of the rootball, I suggest that you loosen that mass of roots and trim some of them off. Use a pot that is one size larger. Put a layer of potting mix in the bottom of the new pot and set the rootball on top-of it. The top of the rootball should be 1-2 inches from the rim of the pot. Fill in the sides with potting mix. Do NOT put any potting mix on top of the rootball. If the rootball sits too low in the pot, add more potting mix underneath, not on top.

In selecting a potting mix, it is important that is the same type of mix already in use.

I have written articles on Palms and on repotting that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thankyou Will for your quick response. My main reason for thinking of repotting is they just seem to have out grown the pots they are in. As I mentioned the roots are balling externally out of the pot and im concerned for their future health as Iam travelling for a year and leaving them in the care of a friend. They are beautiful plants and have never failed me in their display. (They even have names!)If repotted, may I ask why not to put potting mix on top of the root ball? Thanx, Mel.

Answer
Hi Mel,

"Seem to have outgrown the pots" and roots coming out of drain holes are not compelling reasons to repot. I know most sources promote repotting as soon as roots show through drain holes or every few years. This is incorrect information. My article on repotting explains all of this in great detail.

Your Kentias are healthy and doing well so there is no reason to repot. Those massed roots did not occur overnight and yet, your Kentias are doing just fine. Don't try to fix what is not broken. If you do, you will be handing over real problems to your friend who will logically have responsibility for their failure. Not a good thing to do to a friend!

Once stems and even roots are exposed to the air for an extended period of time, they callous over or develop a bark covering as a way of adapting. However, if that covering is subsequently covered with damp soil, it will rot because the covering is adapted to dry air, not wet soil. Think about exposed tree roots of large trees that we see all the time in nature. Nature has no need or way to cover those exposed roots and nature knows better than we do. So if soil is ever added it should be in the root zone that is adapted to moist conditions.

I have written an article on repotting that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC