Question
Hi, I have an older dragon tree which I bought at a local Santa Fe nursery about 4 years ago.  It gets only moderate indirect light.  I hardly ever feed it. In the past it has reacted badly to overwatering, so I cut way back to once every 1 to 2 weeks.  For the past year, I have believed we were in harmony and all was well.  However, I just discovered that excess water has been standing in the  plant's saucer, and that a number of roots have grown through the bottom of its pot, all white and skinny, some 6" to 8" long.  This plant has never been repotted. It is in its original 10" black plastic pot and is about 7 feet high, with a 3" diameter trunk.  It appears very healthy, does not have yellowing leaves, and does have regular new growth.  So should I repot it, let it be potbound, cut off the roots, or leave them alone, in a watery saucer?  Thanks so much, Michele in NM


Answer
Hi Michele,

That's a tough call. Ordinarily, it is not a good idea to leave a plant siting in water. However, sometimes plants surprise us and develop new roots that are adapted to water rather than soil. I suspect also that your tree is potted in a porous potting mix that doesn't wick up the excess water and expose the rootball to a soggy condition.

I also don't believe in arguing with success or fixing what doe not appear to be broken. So it is certainly a viable, though unconventional, option to leave it as is and continue doing what you have for the past year. Watch for any signs of deterioration, but it is probably fine as is at least for the foreseeable future.

A more conventional, but riskier option is to root prune and either add soil to the bottom or move the plant into a 12" pot. This would require removing the plant from its pot - not an easy task for a plant that size - and then pruning off the mass of roots wrapped around the bottom of the rootball. You can then add an inch or so to the bottom of the same pot and replant it or simply move it to a larger pot. If you choose either of these options, be sure to use a porous potting mix that contains extra perlite.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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