Have you ever wondered why that big potted plant that you bought at the store never thrived in your garden? Were you curious as to why, when you finally dug up that dead plant, its roots were still in the original shape of the plastic pot?
The answer to these questions is that the poor plant was suffering from a condition known as “rootbound,” brought about by too much time spent having its roots constricted in a plant pot. Rootbound plants are a common occurrence, and one of the many reasons that we constantly remind customers that the size of a transplant doesn’t matter – it’s how healthy the roots are!
One of the many reasons that we turned to soil blocking as our method of plant propagation was because it is such a fantastic way of ensuring healthy plants. Soil blocking utilizes a process known as “air pruning,” which promotes a healthier root system than putting plants in a pot. In a soil block, air pruning occurs when the plant roots hit the outside air of the soil block edges and are effectively “burned” off, causing the plant to consistently produce new branching roots (thereby creating a very healthy root system).
In a traditional plastic pot, the plant roots are constricted and have nowhere to go, heading down to the bottom of the pot and swirling around indefinitely. This creates an unhealthy condition known as being “rootbound,” which can not only stunt a plant but also potentially kill it. After being put in the ground, a rootbound plant can continue to be stunted, unable to overcome its constricted root system, or take much longer to establish than a healthier air pruned plant. This is one of the many reasons we prefer to utilize soil blocking. The plants we offer for sale as well as the ones we grow on the farm are happier, healthier, and far more productive as a result!
