Help with one of my plants please :) (grown, prune, growth)

[j760]

Let me first say while I enjoy working outdoors, potting plants is not something I'm extremely experienced with, so go easy on me.

Anyhow I bought this beautiful plant in 2007 and it's still alive and looks great. However, as you can see from the photos I posted it is starting to raise itself out of the pot. Why is it doing this and how can I prevent it?

There is a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and I made sure to take the cap off of it before I potted the plant. I'd love to know what's causing this and to hear some tips from you expert gardeners out there.

[jctx]

I am the furthest thing from an expert, but is it possible that the plant needs a "new home" - a new pot that is much larger than this one? Maybe the roots have grown to the extent that they are separating the roots and soil from the inside walls of the pot?

[ShaneSA]

It's all roots, no dirt. Get a pot twice as big and move it to the new pot and add some dirt. That's all it needs.

[mamh]

If either plant were mine..I'd take them out of the pot, soak them for a couple of days in a tub, then tear the roots loose and find a huge new pot and good potting soil, not the Miracle grow and soil rich in good stuff like bat poop ect, you can always add watering crystals on your own..
then sit back and watch them grow........
happy gardening

[j760]

Thank you so much for the help, rep all around!

I have one more question, if I move this to a larger pot, would that take care of this plant long term or should I expect this plant to eventually surpass a bigger pot than the one it's in?

I personally want to leave it potted and don't want to put this one in the ground.

[no kudzu]

when you repot be sure to really tear at the roots. You can even cut a great deal of them out. This will only encourage new root growth and it will not outgrow the new pot you are moving it to. Root bound plants generally do much better with roots pruned and bigger pot.

If it does outgrow the new pot you may be able to root prune it again or else divide it. It's a beautiful plant. Enjoy....

[mamh]

Another two cents worth on this plant, be sure to soak good till its wet clear up to the core of the plant,like no kudzo, suggest, really clean up and the roots back..You will be surprised at what happens.
If you have any fish emulsion or B-1 put some of the that in the soaking water too..
I love fish emulsion for helping plants out.
happy gardening

[j760]

Thanks everyone, I received some great tips and suggestions from all of you.

I feel like I've learned a bit more now about potted plants.