Air Pruning of Roots Another Form of Root Pruning

Q. I read about air pruning the roots of potted plants using either fabric pots or drilling holes in pots and lining with landscape fabric.  Supposedly, air pruning keeps the roots in "check" so that they do not outgrow the pot.  The idea sounds logical, but with our extreme heat and hot winds, could this work in Vegas?

A. Air pruning is allowing the roots of plants are exposed to the air and die. It is normally used in greenhouse production with potted plants. It can be used for plants growing in containers as well. It is popular where other types of root pruning may not be practical.

            If plants grown in containers are allowed to rest on soil or gravel, the roots of these plants can grow out of the holes on the bottom or sides of the container and into the wet soil beneath it. Once the roots leave the container and grow into the soil, the tops of these plants typically have big growth spurts.

            In the past, if these pots or containers were given a quarter turn twist, this would sever young roots and prevent them from getting anchored in the soil beneath them. This is an older method of root pruning.

            Another older form of root pruning was using chemicals such as copper sulfate applied to the surface of the soil or gravel just under the pots or containers. The concentration of copper would kill the roots of plants growing into it but would hurt the tops of the plant.

            Air pruning is another form of root pruning where the bottoms of containers are pots are suspended in open-air. Roots exposed to the open-air will die without moisture. As roots leave the container through drainage holes, the roots die and become “root pruned” by the air.

            This would work in our climate as well. However, in our hot desert climate I worry a bit about pots or containers left in full sunlight. The soils in these containers can heat up quickly and the roots “roasted” on the side of the container facing the sun.

            If pots or containers that you are using for root pruning are in full sun make sure they are white or shiny and reflect as much sun as possible. It would be best if they were shaded. Water the plants in the containers just before the heat of the day.