Jackfruit tap root (forum)

Doug starts with ...
I have been growing jackfruit seedlings in very large, but not very sturdy, cardboard tubes. Unfortunately, the tallest (one metre) one's tap root found its way between the patio pavers and I had to cut it off at ground level.
Will the tree regrow this or grow another tap root?

Time: 8th January 2019 2:18pm

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About the Author Doug
Wamuran,QLD,4512
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Manfred says...
No, but trees often don't have a tap root after they get going, where the water table is too high or the soil is too shallow. The tree will develop a healthy adventitious root system as long as the main roots aren't too bunched up when you plant it out.

Keep it well watered at first if, or you think you have cut a big percentage of the roots off, reduce the leaf area to reduce evapotranspiration loss, when planting out. On a very small, young tree you can do that by cutting each leaf by (say) two-thirds.

Time: 10th January 2019 5:10pm

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About the Author Manfred
Wamboin
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Doug says...
Thanks Manfred.
I removed the top 6 inches of the seedling.
It does not look well.
Another that suffered the same fate looks very well.
They are now in metal buckets in the shade for planting out in spring.

Time: 11th January 2019 11:44am

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denise1 says...
I think there is still a chance of it developing another taproot, mainly if it finds better moisture beneath the pot. They can even push a tap root into a porous clay if they find moisture down below. If you dont want a taproot below your potted tree then put your containers on a pallet or whatever and the taproot will not form. I put most of my trees on reused plastic pallets or upside down wire baskets. It also keeps better hygiene and improved downward flow of water through the pots..

Time: 11th January 2019 12:41pm

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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