How to promote root growth in plants (6 ways to speed it up) | GreenUpSide (2023)

A strong root system is one of the key factors in growing a healthy plant. However, a strong root system is not accidental.

So how do you encourage root growth in plants?Try the following 6 methods to encourage strong, healthy root growth in your plants:

• use aRaiz-Trainer(at germination and seedling stage)
• Repot as needed (when plant outgrows its container and becomes root bound)
• Loosen and aerate the soil (compacted or soggy soil slows root growth)
• Practice deep, infrequent watering (this encourages a more extensive root system)
• Provide the right nutrition (get the right pH and nutrient levels)
• Add rooting hormone (usually for cuttings when propagating plants)

In this article, we'll take a closer look at each of these methods. Then you know exactly what to do to encourage a stronger root system in your plants.

Let's start.

How to promote root growth in plants

If you want to encourage root growth in your plants, it's best to start at the beginning: in the germination and seedling stages.

Using a root trainer, for example, will help give your plants a good start in their development, so let's start there.

Use a root trainer

ONERaiz-Trainerit's a container that encourages a plant's roots to grow downward instead of sideways. This creates a deeper root system that can branch laterally after the plant moves into the garden.

A root trainer has grooves on the inside that prevent a plant's roots from looping around the container (avoiding "root-bound" or "pot-bound" plants). Instead, the roots are "smuggled in" towards a hole in the bottom of the root trainer.

Once the roots reach the hole in the bottom of the container, they are exposed to the air. At this point,air cutoccurs - that is, the roots stop growing as soon as they find air.

This air pruning encourages the plant to establish more roots elsewhere. This results in a stronger, more extensive root system that grows deep into the soil after transplanting.

According to the University of Washington, aerial pruning encourages the plant to continually develop new roots.🇧🇷 These new roots replace the old ones, which stop growing when they come into contact with the air.

Air pruning can also be used to propagate larger plants such as trees. Air pruning means that a tree has a dense root with many small roots instead of a few large roots.

A root trainer also allows you to grow seedlings in separate cells. This will keep your roots from getting tangled up, making it easier to transplant seedlings and reduce the risk of damage once they reach the garden.

Root trainers are often used in the seedling stage to help plants develop a stronger root system, but you can also use larger root trainers for young trees. You mayLearn more about root trainers in my article here.

Repot as needed

When your plants are big enough, you may need to replant them at least once before transplanting them into the garden. The reason for this is that plants in too small a pot will eventually become rooted.

A plant becomes rooted when its roots begin to circle around inside its container when they have nowhere else to go. As the roots continue to circulate in search of nutrients, they circle the inside of the pot.

At this point, there is no new soil for the roots to grow. Eventually, the plant will stop growing, although it can maintain its size if given enough water, light, and fertilizer.

According to Penn State University Extension, a tree with roots in a pot will eventually have problems. Eventually the roots will wrap around the trunk and trunk of the tree - the tree is really strangling itself.

After transplanting into a larger pot, the plant's roots will have more room to grow. Sometimes you can tell a plant needs repotting if you can see the roots by looking into the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

To replant, first find a container slightly larger than the current one. Then add some soil to the bottom of the new container.

Then carefully remove the plant from its old container to avoid root damage. Place the plant in the new container on top of the layer of soil you've already applied.

Finally, add more soil to fill the new container however you like (just don't cover the plant's stem too much!).

You mayLearn more about transplanting plants (including the type of container and growing medium to use) in this University of Maryland Extension article.

Loosen and aerate the soil

Aerating the soil for your plants will help keep the roots healthy and allow more oxygen to enter the soil. Loose, aerated soil makes the plant stronger and more vigorous.

According to the Colorado State University Extension, compacted soil restricts root growth.This makes sense - roots grow more easily in a medium that is softer than hard.

That is why, before planting seedlings in the garden, it is good to loosen the soil a little. There's no need to rototite (unless it's a new garden) - a shovel will probably do the trick for breaking up clods or compacted soil.

Digging not only loosens the soil, but also aerates the soil. This is good, as plant roots need oxygen to breathe (in a sense, they need to breathe like we do).

When the soil is compacted or very wet, there is less room for oxygen. This will affect and possibly even cause the health of the plant.root rot.

Heavy clay soils tend to be compacted. To counteract this, add some compost to provide organic matter and loosen the soil a bit.

Finally, avoid walking on your soil to avoid compaction.

Practice deep, infrequent watering

Once a plant has established itself in its new spot in the garden, it is important to water it properly. As mentioned earlier, soil that is too wet has no room for oxygen and can lead to oxygen starvation.root rot.

You mayLearn more about the signs of overhydration in my article here.

Watering too often will result in a shallow and weak root system in your plants as they don't have to work hard to get water. Instead, water deeply less often to encourage a stronger, more extensive root system.

When plant roots cannot find water, they branch out sideways or go deeper in search of more water. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings will encourage root growth.

Ensure proper nutrition

In addition to water and air, plant roots need nutrients to grow and sustain the plant.

A good first step is to do a soil test to find out the pH and nutrient levels in your soil. You mayLearn more about doing a soil test here.

The ideal pH varies by plant, but most plants do well in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). Some plants, such as blueberries and azaleas, prefer slightly more acidic soil (4.5 to 5.5).

If your soil is very acidic (low pH), you can add lime (calcium carbonate) to raise the pH. If your soil is very basic (high pH), you can add elemental sulfur to lower the pH.

If your soil test shows a lack of nutrients, you can add some fertilizer to provide NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Remember ifOverfertilization is possible, follow package directions, and remember that not all fertilizers are created equal!

Also remember that the strength of the fertilizer is not the only important factor. You also need to consider how quickly the fertilizer releases its nutrients.

For example,According to the University of New Hampshire Extension, fast-release fertilizers can impair root growth in plants.

(You can alsoLearn more about the best fertilizers for root growth in this article.)

Be sure to fertilize the entire root zone.According to University of Missouri Extension, a tree's root zone can extend twice as far as the branches.

For example, if a tree's branches extend 14 inches from the tree's trunk, its root zone can extend up to 28 inches (2 × 14 = 28) from the tree's trunk. Therefore, fertilize the entire area (a 28-inch radius circle around the tree trunk).

To avoid overuse of artificial fertilizers, it is best to replace soil nutrients by adding old compost or manure. Both contain organic matter and slowly release nutrients.

This organic matter attracts organisms that help the soil (such as earthworms and beneficial bacteria).

Which fertilizer helps with root growth?

When choosing a fertilizer to support root growth, pay attention to theNPK rationo label.

For example, 10-10-10 means that the fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potassium.

On the other hand, 10-20-10 consists of 10% by weight of nitrogen, 20% by weight of phosphorus and 10% by weight of potassium.

Phosphorus is a necessary nutrient for proper root growth.According to the North Carolina State University Extension, a lack of phosphorus will restrict root growth.

Phosphorus deficiency is common on commercial farmland but rare in home gardens (and more likely in cold soil).

Phosphorus deficiency is also more likely in an area where crops have been grown for a long time without nutrient replenishment (no fertilizer, compost, manure, etc. added).

Remember that too much phosphorus affects the plant's ability to absorb nitrogen and micronutrients.

Potassium is also important for a plant to develop properly. A lack of potassium can lead to poor root development, but an excess of potassium causes a nitrogen deficiency.

Calcium is necessary for the growth of root tips. A lack of calcium can cause black and rotten roots.

Does nitrogen promote root growth?

Nitrogen is a necessary nutrient for plant growth, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much nitrogen in “hot” (fresh) manure or heavy fertilizer can burn plant roots.

Furthermore,According to the University of Missouri Extension, fertilizing newly planted trees with too much nitrogen can cause too much green (leaf) growth at the expense of the roots.

When choosing fertilizer, use a balanced fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. If you request a soil test from your local agricultural agency, let them know what you are growing. That way, they can provide recommendations on the type and amount of fertilizer to use.

Add Root Hormone

Rooting hormone is commonly used in propagating plants from cuttings. Rooting hormone can come in powder, gel, or liquid form.

According to the Michigan State University Extension, rooting hormone increases the likelihood that a plant cutting will take root.Rooting hormone also causes faster rooting and increases the number of roots that appear.

There are many different types of rooting hormones, includingthis one from Home Depot, which contains indole-3-butyric acid🇧🇷 Keep in mind that liquid formulas are generally more effective than powder formulas.

To use rooting hormone, simply dip the bottom of the cutting into the mixture. Then plant the seedling as usual in a container with the desired growing medium.

Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands when using rooting hormone, and follow package label directions.

Conclusion

Now you know how to promote root growth in your plants and when to use which methods. You'll also know what to avoid (e.g., over-watering and over-fertilizing) to keep plant roots healthy and growing.

Hope you found this article helpful. If so, share it with someone who might use the information.

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