Repotting with roots grown into terracotta
 

Hi everyone,

At Leafmite's suggestion, I purchased a Potinara Burana Beauty (thanks, Leafmite!). It arrived today, but unfortunately it's potted in terracotta, and its roots are firmly entrenched in that particular situation.

My question is, how do I repot this thing? In order to get it out, I'd need to break the pot and most definitely break the roots as well. Should I leave it? The pot seems very full of roots already, so I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place on this one. I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

All of my Catts are in terracotta pots and they are in them for years. I end up with roots on the outside and inside.

Soak for pot for hours, even over night. The water should cover the entire pot. Then break the pot but don't pull the roots off but take a small knife and gently slide it under the attached roots. You will get some cracks in the roots and even break off a tip or two. Let the plant air dry until the next day, then repot.

Brooke

I do it dry and use a butter knife around the edges or where the roots are attached. Then I repot but I wait for a couple of days for the roots to seal over after the damage.

I have no experience with catts but had good luck soaking phals that had adhered to terracotta. I thought I'd surely have to break the pots but after a good long soak the roots came right off the pot.

The longer you soak them, the more pliable they become.

Brooke

Thanks, everyone. I'll soak them for a while. I appreciate the advice.

You are welcome! I don't have many hybrids in my collection (mostly species) but it is one that I think everyone should have. I hope you will love it as much as I do. :)