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Newbie gardner mistake

Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
in Plants
Hi folks,I'm new to gardening and planted 12 plants today around the garden,having looked on the internet tonight I noticed that I have made an error and not broken the rootball when planting any of them,I planted Hostas,Hydrangeas an Escallona pink Elle amongst others,I'm so annoyed with myself,I wish it had said that on the label for first timers like me.
Will it be ok and adsvisable for me to gently pull the plants out tomorrow and break the ball root and if so what is the easiest way to break the balls root?
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  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Were the plants pot-bound, with the roots wrapping around and dense on the underside? If so, yes, you could gently lift them tomorrow (use a fork to lift them out rather than pull up), tease out the roots and replant. If they were not pot-bound then you probably don't need to worry too much
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Some people say it's not necessary to break the rootball,  but personally l do.
    It depends how tight the roots are, but assuming you gave them a good soak that should make it easier. If not too root bound you can just use your fingers to gently pull them apart. 
    The only ones l'm not sure about are hostas, but there are several experts on here who should be able to advise you specifically about them.
  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    Hi they were from Homebase and in plastic pots,so will they be easy to pull part with my hands,I will get out early and do it tomorrow.
    At least I know now,I was so proud of my efforts and thought I had bought a nice selection of plants,it would have been a shame if they had all died
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You don’t need to do much ... just gently loosen the outside roots ... don’t ‘break up’ the football ... you’ll do more harm than good. Just make sure toe planting area is well prepared and give them a good soaking every day in this weather. A watering can full each. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    edited June 2020
    Heres what I bought,3 hostas,foxglove, various Hydrangeas,Spotted Laurel,Slvia sensation,lavendar and an Escallonia Pink Elle.

  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    edited June 2020
    Dovefromabove said:
    You don’t need to do much ... just gently loosen the outside roots ... don’t ‘break up’ the football ... you’ll do more harm than good. Just make sure toe planting area is well prepared and give them a good soaking every day in this weather. A watering can full each. 😊 

    Thanks,I look forward to rectifying the matter tomorrow.I ended up more wet than the plants today with the hose that I used as it's one of those anti kink ones that have the extra ribs on the side that in my mind make it fit less well to the fittings,so using a watering can will be a better idea
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    @Dovefromabove I thought I was meant to do all the spelling mistakes "football, toe" 😉😉
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I suspect it was quite late, when l posted last night it was past 11pm (l think ). This hot weather doesn't help at all !
    Dove is right though, "break the rootball" means just loosening the outside roots, not attacking the whole thing like a maniac 😁.
    If you have any queries when you make a start @warwickbear1973+8, post a photo of them and we will do our best to help  :)
  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    AnniD said:
    I suspect it was quite late, when l posted last night it was past 11pm (l think ). This hot weather doesn't help at all !
    Dove is right though, "break the rootball" means just loosening the outside roots, not attacking the whole thing like a maniac 😁.
    If you have any queries when you make a start @warwickbear1973+8, post a photo of them and we will do our best to help  :)

    Thanks @AnniD I will be gentle,thanks for the advice

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