when roots meet soil
seeds
“If you’re growing plants from small starts rather than
,
it is important to minimize shock and avoid traumatizing the roots.”
What you see in a plant’s foliage is
almost always the result of what is
going on in the soil. When there
are issues with soil quality, there will
most certainly be issues with the root
system. Small or poorly established
root systems will mean a smaller plant,
or often much worse. Because we do
not see what is going on in the soil,
we often overlook this aspect of the
plant. Personally, I like to think of the
root system as the brains of the plant.
Everything starts there.
How can we help create larger
root systems? With container plants,
especially annuals, there are several
growth phases where a clearer
understanding of proper watering
and nutrient adjustments will benefit
various aspects of the plant. At the end
of an annual’s growing season, the
plant is harvested and then removed.
Without further root development,
the early phases of growth are critical.
Let’s take a look at how to optimize
root expansion, and review its ultimate
effect on plant yield and vigor.
Two Types of Roots
Plants will primarily have one of two
types of root systems: taproot
(Fig. 1) or fibrous (Fig. 2). Carrots and
beets are examples of taproot plants,
while the roots of basil and thyme
are fibrous. There are many different
types of roots within these two groups.
Taproots have lateral shoots to take up
nutrients for the plant. In most edible
fibrous plants (annuals, biennials and
perennials), the smaller, more fibrous
roots are responsible for nutrient and
water uptake, as well as respiration—
the uptake of oxygen. Knowing what
type of root system your plants have is
important, especially when you go to
remove the plants from the soil.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
84
Maximum Yield USA | January 2015
Roots During
Transplanting
If you’re growing plants from small
starts rather than seeds, it is important
to minimize shock and avoid traumatizing the roots. This means tearing open
the root system with one’s hands during
planting should be avoided. If the roots
look like they are overcrowded and
circling, this needs to be dealt with.
The least traumatic way to do this is
to take a sharp knife and cut several
vertical slits in the root ball in 3-4 different spots. This will stop the circling
and encourage F