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Can plants grow back their roots?
applefritter007
Posts: 9
Yesterday I dug up an 15 in. avocado plant from my yard in hopes of bringing it indoors because the temps outside are becoming colder where I live.
As I was digging it up, I sadly broke many of its roots, but I managed to save a few. I placed it in a big pot and set it in my bathroom and have been giving it water. My question is, can a plant grow roots back after being dug up? What can I expect to happen to my plant?
0
Posts
Yes, roots that have been damaged will regrow providing they've not been damaged too much. The problem might be that there won't be enough roots to provide food and water to the plant while the roots are regrowing. That's why it sometimes helps to prune back the top of a plant when replanting.
However if you want your avocado to grow as a 'tree shape' cutting it back will spoil this. Some people cut their avocado plants back by two-thirds when they reach about two feet in height, and they then grow as a bush rather than a tree.
Don't give your avocado too much water now - wait until the soil is fairly dry before watering again. Roots need oxygen as well as water.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks for the replies. By "big pot" I mean a 9 in. pot. is that too big for it? The avocado plant is about...I would say 14 or 15 in.
Oh! Okay.. That makes sense. I will see about moving it to a much smaller pot. Thanks so much.