how to repot rollinia (forum)

NQ Grower starts with ...
Hey everyone,

I have a rollinia which i planted in a massive pot last year (the pot is about 1m deep. The plant is growing really well, however the problem I have now is the soil level in the pot has dropped about 30cm, and I would like to refil it so the plant doesn't end up sitting in the bottom of the pot with not much soil :) Should I try to dig the plant out roots and all and repot in the new topped up soil, and what is the best way to go about this without killing the plant? THanks for any help

Time: 18th January 2012 11:35pm

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MaryT says...
I don't know what a rollinia is but I will comment : it'd be a big job but worth doing because you have too much room on top and that may drown the plant if it rains continuously for days unless it's a water plant? :).

This is how I would go about it but I'm no expert:

Water the plant well the day before you take it out;

Spade around the edges and lever inwards slightly as you do;

Tip the pot on its side cushioning it with old pillows/carpet;

Ease the plant out by spading around the edges and try to lever it out, keeping the root ball in soil as much as possible (helps to hang on to the trunk closest to the top of soil and tug gently).

Fill the empty pot with new premium mix and PACK IT DOWN AS YOU GO to take up the space then return the plant to the pot filling it with new mix as necessary, packing that down as well. This would prevent the 'shrinkage'.

Once the plant is in, firm down the top then saturate with water. If you have a good mix it should drain away quickly.

Good Luck.

Time: 25th January 2012 8:42am

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amanda says...
NQ grower - MaryT has made a point I wouldn't have thought about there...but I would also consider repotting from the perspective of it being a Rollinia...(not urgently - if there is no chance of flooding - but it will be worth doing for later on..)

I dug up many of my sub-tropicals maybe 1.5 yrs ago...it was really interesting to see the very different root systems on the various types of trees...anyway - the Rollinia had a very strong root system with a good tap root...

I would be curious to know how long this tree can be kept in a pot to be honest...some trees (like mangoe for eg) are not really suited..? (maybe someone else knows here...?)

Anyway - I lost my Rollinia in the pot - I let it dry out just a bit too much during hot and dry weather - and it never recovered :-(

One of the reasons I love tree sacks is that u can just cut them with a stanley knife to get the tree out - with a lot less stress on the tree roots. Maybe a big tree sack inside a decorative pot is worth considering - if u plan to keep it in a pot long term..just a thought tho.

If it's in a plastic pot (?) I usually tip mine on their side and give them a roll whilst pressing down firmly on the side of the pot. It's worth borrowing a second pair of hands if it's a big pot...or ceramic - with MaryT tips.. :)

Time: 25th January 2012 11:24pm

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About the Author amanda19
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NQ Grower says...
Thanks guys much appreciated :) I will try your tips mary they sound much better than what i was thinking. Amanda, thanks also for the info. I really hope mine doesnt die - rollinia in the ground is way to big for my yard but the fruit sounded so delicious and interesting that I had to give it a go. Tree sack is a great idea. The pot is fibreglass - will definately recruit my hubby to help!

Time: 26th January 2012 4:40pm

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amanda says...
Does any one here know about keeping Rollinia in a pot - to help out NQ Grower?

I have only had one NQ - but I was surprised that it handled my crappy climate. I do have sub-surface retic in my orchard tho. Apparently they don't like to get over watered...but again, I am not really sure.

Rollinia in pots hasn't come up b4 - that I am aware of anyway.

Time: 27th January 2012 8:03pm

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Mike says...
Annonas and rollinias in particular might not be suited for pots because of what seems to happen with their vigorous root systems.They often circle around in the pot and need to be cut when repotting.Rootbound specimens in small pots can almost self strangle if planted out.I wouldput the rollinia in the ground and keep it pruned to 2m,retaining just 4 or 5 main limbs.

Time: 27th January 2012 8:18pm

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amanda says...
Thanks for that Mike - cos I had that "feeling"..? It was really interesting to dig up my trees. My jaboticabas had pretty pathetic root systems (I thought) the kwai muk totally surprised me (and is going great in the tree sack) and had a good strong healthy root system. The Wampees had an amazing fibrous-mat type root system..the longon was unremarkable.

The Rollinia had the strongest of all and was 2 yrs less in the ground..?

We can learn a lot about a plant from it's root system perhaps?

My Grumichamas, for eg, need the most watering, in the tree sacks at present..I have to keep an eye on them every 2nd day now...(all in 35L sacks at present)

Time: 27th January 2012 9:32pm

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Original Post was last edited: 27th January 2012 9:32pm

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NQ Grower says...
Thanks so much for all your help everyone. I have some plants that are ready to plant in the ground, and am thinking now I should plant the rollinia in the ground and one of my other plants in it's place. What do you suggest would be the best plant for container growing - dwarf black mulberry, pomegranate,
or cherry of the rio grande? Just another question re pruning the rollinia - will keeping the plant at around 2m, will that also inhibit the roots a bit? I don't want to plant it and have it take over the plants around it...

Time: 27th January 2012 10:12pm

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Mike says...
NQ Grower pruning does inhibit the growth of the root system.I think either of the two others can be managed in a pot.When you repot them trim the roots.

Time: 27th January 2012 10:29pm

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amanda says...
There is also the method the Italians use - which is root pruning in-situ. Something we haven't really talked about in this Forum much?



Time: 27th January 2012 11:54pm

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NQ Grower says...
Hi Amanda I don't know much about root pruning so very interested to hear more...

here are some pics of the rollinia I took so you could see what we were talking about.


Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 28th January 2012 7:53am

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MaryT says...
I think it's a good idea to get it out of the pot asap - you would find it difficult because of the lip of the pot. Hopefully the roots have not reached the sides and damage will be minimal. Potting mix tends to shrink more if it was not packed down as you plant and if the mix is poor quality.

Time: 28th January 2012 8:14am

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Original Post was last edited: 28th January 2012 8:48am
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amanda says...
I don't know much about root pruning in-situ either NQ..!? :( It seems it's just a case of going around the tree with a very long bladed shovel and literally chopping thru the roots...maybe a bit past the drip line.

I have only ever done it in the 20m between my orchard and gum trees - and then it was with a big deep ripper on the back of a bulldozer!

Agree with MaryT here tho...





Time: 28th January 2012 12:00pm

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