Hi, I have a Brugmansia Angel Trumpet plant that I left in the pot waaay too long and the roots grew through the bottom of the plastic black pot into the ground. Since most of the roots are in the pot except a couple or so large roots that are in the ground, what is the safest way to get it out of the pot. I thought about cutting it off but then the plant would be sitting with roots exposed above ground. Should I dig out a hole around it and then cut away the pot and sit the remaining roots and plant down in the hole? I don't want to harm the plant, but something needs to be done. The roots in the ground are quite large already. Any suggestions??? Thanks
Depends on if you want it in a pot or the ground. In the ground sacrifice the pot, dig it up and replant in a larger pot. In the ground same as above, but this time when you dig it up replant it in a deeper hole.
Thanks, I was just afraid that the roots that are in the ground witch are really large ones (like about 1 1/2 to 2 " thick) might not survive well and it might set the plant back a long way if I removed them from the ground now. The plant is starting to have the long trumpet green bean shaped pods forming on it right now. Will it still be okay to move it now?
It would have been better to do it when it was semi-dormant but as long as you keep it shaded for a few weeks it should recover.
Thanks, I was just afraid that the roots that are in the ground witch are really large ones (like about 1 1/2 to 2 " thick) might not survive well and it might set the plant back a long way if I removed them from the ground now. The plant is starting to have the long trumpet green bean shaped pods forming on it right now. Will it still be okay to move it now?
Sorry I missed this one earlier. You can do very, very heavy root pruning on Brugs at any time of the year, and the plants recover well, but you'll probably loose most or all of the current blooms from repotting and root pruning. If you can do without the current blooms, they'll easily tolerate cutting back 2/3 of the roots and bounce back well if given good light, water, and lots (lots!!!) of fertilizer. :)
