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Hi,
Maybe someone could give me a little hlep. I recently got a part of a plant (not sure the name) from my Auntie that is roughly 10 years old through peices being broken off and replanted. It was originally my Grandmother's and I am trying to keep it going. Well, I've had my part for almost 6 months now and it had three leaves. Now is has 11, so I am so excited that I haven't killed it yet. NOw here's the problem. It was in a small pot and I felt that it was starting to outgrow it so I replanted it in a larger pot. I then noticed after about 1 month that the root was growing up out of the top of the pot. I knew that this pot was rather large, so I thought that i may not have planted it down deep enough. I replanted in further down into the pot and again after a month or so, I see the root coming out of the top again. I'm not sure what to do. I didn't think roots grew up, but down and out when it was time to replant. The only thing I can think of is to get a bigger pot, but I think the one I just got was plenty large and I didn't know that the roots can outgrow a pot that quickly! Can someone help me please. I am in the process of taking a picture so that you may see this. I will post it when I get it. Thanks for any possible advice.
Is it an orchid by any chance? I've seen some of them that will grow roots that stick up out of the top of the pot like that and it doesn't mean they've outgrown their pot. When a typical plant outgrows a pot, you'll see the roots coming out the holes at the bottom, not at the top. A picture would definitely help. Replanting it deeper in the pot may also not have been a good thing to do--for most plants you want to always plant them to the same depth that they were in the old container, otherwise you can end up with fungal problems.
Would love to see a photo! Does your Auntie know the name of the plant? I've never known any plant to have roots grow up out of the soil! There are some Ficus Trees, Philodendrons and other plants that will have aerial roots that grow from the trunk and grow downward looking for soil, but as for roots growing up and out ... that's a new one for me. I agree with Nan that it may be spreading by rhizomes and you may end up with more plants by off shoots! It may just look like a root coming up out of the pot, but actually be a new plant. I know some Sansevieria's grow new pups that sometimes look like roots coming up.
Look forward to seeing your photo to see what plant you have!
Here's a picture that shows an orchid root growing out of the top of the pot. There are several different kinds of orchids that I think will do this, this is just one example
[HYPERLINK@www.flowers.org.uk]
Hi whatgreenethumb, I agree with everyone that it is prob a rizome that is sprouting from the old root system, plants like day lily's and some Gingers do this also, plus many others, they come through the soil brownish like roots and then throw up the green parts, keep a close eye on it as I do know some of these type of plants prefere to be in a slightly crowded pot than one that is over big and the rizomes sit in soil that is too damp, so be carefull when you water, like stated before, a picture would help and also set your own mind at rest, good luck, WeeNel.
