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I am gong to transplant my peace plant (lilly?) this weekend. It seems to be so "stuffed" into the pot it is in - and has been in for two and a half years. Is this a good idea even though it is doing well at this time?
Technically, no plant likes to be root-bound. If it did, Mother Nature would have the roots genetically programmed to grow in cute, tight little balls - maybe cubes. ;o) WE sometimes prefer to manipulate plants into blooming or bend them to our will in other ways by growing them tight, or we might allow plants' roots to get tight in a reduced volume of soil for plants that don't like wet feet and 'need' a reduced volume of soil so it dries quickly to a favorable moisture level, but we shouldn't confuse the thought that we can get plants to do what WE prefer by stressing them with the idea they somehow 'prefer' that treatment.
Plant growth is measured by the increase in biomass, and in every case, tight roots diminish the potential for increased mass. Tight roots also inhibit both branch extension and blooming. It also tends to make the leaves smaller and on plants that branch, leaves tend to grow in 'tufts' at the ends of branches when grown tight.
