About Norfolk Island Pines - Ask Extension
Hello Extension Service Representative,
When a Norfolk Island pine has several smaller pines surrounding it, it is considered one tree or several? ...
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About Norfolk Island Pines #878729
Asked July 25, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT
Hello Extension Service Representative,
When a Norfolk Island pine has several smaller pines surrounding it, it is considered one tree or several? I have a NIP that has several smaller trees surrounding it and thought of separating them to plant them in separate pots, but when I took the plants out of the container, they were so root bound and the roots were so intertwined that I didn't dare start the separation process.
I'm thinking that perhaps before the next repotting the roots would be less intertwined because they would have had more room to spread out but am hesitant to think this idea is correct. Please provide me some guidance on what would be best to do.
Best regards,
Germaine
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Germaine,
Unfortunately we can't tell without looking through the root ball as to whether or not it's one multi-stemmed plant in the pot or several closely-spaced separate plants. It's not unusual for nursery growers to start several plants in a pot when they are rooting cuttings, either to make the plant fuller faster, or to ensure that it retains enough growth even if a cutting or two doesn't make it. If you don't see the trunks connected by roots (rhizomes) when trying to repot, then they can probably be gently separated. Otherwise, it may be safer to assume that they are one plant and to keep them as a clump without trying to move any individual trunks around. (Giving the root ball more space when repotting will help with plant vigor as it matures, but it won't influence trunk spacing since this does not change unless they are physically separated by the gardener. That said, trunks connected by a rhizome can still be cut apart in most cases, as long as each plant retains enough roots to support itself as it recovers.)
Miri
Unfortunately we can't tell without looking through the root ball as to whether or not it's one multi-stemmed plant in the pot or several closely-spaced separate plants. It's not unusual for nursery growers to start several plants in a pot when they are rooting cuttings, either to make the plant fuller faster, or to ensure that it retains enough growth even if a cutting or two doesn't make it. If you don't see the trunks connected by roots (rhizomes) when trying to repot, then they can probably be gently separated. Otherwise, it may be safer to assume that they are one plant and to keep them as a clump without trying to move any individual trunks around. (Giving the root ball more space when repotting will help with plant vigor as it matures, but it won't influence trunk spacing since this does not change unless they are physically separated by the gardener. That said, trunks connected by a rhizome can still be cut apart in most cases, as long as each plant retains enough roots to support itself as it recovers.)
Miri
Hello Miri,
Thank you for that thorough explanation. I learned a good deal about the Norfolk Island pine today! Next time I try to repot that plant, I'll take a look at the trunks and see how they are related.
With appreciation,
Germaine
On Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 12:37:11 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You're welcome!
