AN expert gardener has shared a trick that saves root-compressed plants.
The only gardening tool you need, she revealed, is a handy hatchet.
Alicia Leverette (@whitewater_creek_farm) shared the pro tip in a viral Instagram video.
She removed the pot from a plant that had deeply compacted soil, which she dubbed “root-bound.”
While it may seem impossible for the plant, she shared a trick she learned from her mother.
“My mother taught me this, so I know it’s the truth. When you take a plant and take it out of the pot and see this, this is root bound,” she said, tapping the plant’s condensed roots.
“This plant needs your help.”
The solution, however, turned out to be quite simple.
With a hatchet, she removed a few centimeters of the plant’s roots, revealing a layer of earth.
She manually pulled out the plant’s rounded roots with her hands.
Alicia explained that although it seemed dangerous, the technique did not cause any harm to the plant.
The root tips, she explained, are all at the bottom of the pot.
“You’re really doing me a favor,” she said.
“Now, you have all these roots that are ready to go down into the soil and absorb the nutrients from the water that this plant needs to survive.”
Many were shocked because it was as easy as she made it seem.
“OMG I’m untangling them trying not to pull up any roots,” said one commenter.
In fact, you are doing me a favor.
Alicia Leverette
They agreed that although the method seemed potentially harmful, they were willing to try it.
“This feels so wrong, but I trust you and your mother,” they said.
“I wasn’t ready to see the hack work haha,” said another.
“I was a little scared about it. I would never have thought about doing that. I would have tried to open the roots more and still plant everything haha. Now I know.”
More experienced gardeners have confirmed Alicia’s advice based on first-hand experience.
“I also work with plants for a living and it’s true!” said one.
“We do this with citrus trees and all types of plants. Cut off the bottom half so the rest can start new patterns and thrive!
“Otherwise, they’ll keep growing like an ingrown toenail.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
