Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
suckers
Drip line
Figure 3.29
The drip line.
plenty of nutrients to regenerate. The
following season when the plant is moved, use
this trench to define the outside edge from
which to commence digging the plant out.
There will be a mass of fibrous feeding roots
just inside this edge to aid in the successful
re-establishment of the plant.
with a sharp spade around a plant just within
the drip line; however, applying this
technique to plants in the ground is a risky
business that can lead to a multitude of
problems.
Cutting roots in this manner is a hit and miss
affair. There is no telling what sort of root you
will be cutting. As all wounding creates
growth, there is a risk of encouraging suckers.
Vigorous roots when wounded and exposed
to light can rapidly form tenacious suckering
growth that can be a nightmare to control
(see Figure 3.29).
Rootpruningfordwarfing
In-ground root pruning is a risky affair. Some
orchardists run a tractor blade down the
middle of their rows in the well-founded
belief that by removing part of the trees root
system, the supply of water and nutrients will
be lessened resulting in a smaller growing
plant. The same effect is achieved by digging
If you really want to dwarf your plants in the
ground, summer pruning is safer and more
effective.
