Repotting my pothos. Can someone tell me what to do? Pics included.?

Question

I'm repotting my pothos to a bigger pot. After I removed my plant from its small pot, I noticed that all the roots are tangled up! I don't know if I should just pot it like it or try to loosen the roots. I'm afraid i might damage the roots though! Here are the pictures, can someone give me some advice?

I also bought this Shults Roots Starter Plus which I'm planning on using on the soil before I pot.

This is a pic of my big pot and pothos plant.
http://server2.uploadit.org/files/gundream-IMG_1417.jpg
This is a pic of pothos with its cylindrical shaped roots!
http://server3.uploadit.org/files/gundream-IMG_1418.jpg

All help and advice are appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Charles in Charge, Thanks for the "pics". Pothos" are called the "batchelor" plant...LOL! They can withstand a lot of "neglect and abuse" (nothing personal!). You can by all means loosen up the "roots" a bit before re-potting. However, IMO I wouldn't use the Roots Starter Plus. It may be too strong and unneccessary, because I believe that would be for a plant/tree that's young and needs a "jump" start, so to speak. XOXO Moonpie P.S. Whatever you've been doing so far, seems to be working. Your plant looks great!

Answer 2

Don't try to break up the root system- you could damage it that way.. Just make a pocket in the new dirt and put the whole thing in, then put dirt around it. Make sure the new pot is deep enough that there are a couple of inches so you can cover the roots with new dirt. Plants know what to do from there! I'm not sure root starter is what you want to use. I think that's for rooting seeds. Try something like miracle-gro... a little in water goes a long way.

Answer 3

You call that big? You poor baby. My pothos is hanging,and the runners go clear across the ceiling of my dining room, and the family room. Now that's big! First I wouldn't mess with the roots. I would soak it in warm water for a few hours, than plant directly in your new pot. Be sure you have at least two inches of space between the rootball, and the pot. Than I would use,"Get Start" by Miracle Grow. I would not use the recommended dose thou,I would cut it by 25%. That's all! P.S. Try replanting one while it's still hanging!

Answer 4

Oh man, that plant needs a much bigger pot. When you get ready to replant, just break up the dirt and gently separate some of the roots from the big ball they're in now. Once you have it in a bigger pot, they'll spread out on their own. You just need to break up the shape they're in now.

Answer 5

You sure don't need a root starter at all....when I have any plant that is rootbound...I take the kitchen scissors and I am not afraid to cut....off the bottom, up the sides in about 3 places ....then just put the plant in a bigger pot and water well.. Your plant looks mighty healthy to me....you don't want to leave any plant rootbound and just size up in pot...loosen those roots WELL...