Large Trichodiadema bulbosum Re-pot, exposing roots

11 years ago

Hey y'all! So, I got this sweet Tricho last time I went to Desert Images. They had one on display that they had exposed and staged beautifully. Lucky for me, they also had a good number of large specimens for sale. I bought one just to try it for myself.

I was a little nervous because I haven't really done much trimming of tuberous roots but I pulled courage from seeing Keith chop away so bravely.

Here we go! Before pic...

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There's what I want.

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Dumped it out and washed away the soil,

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trimmed floppy lower growth,

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This was the scary part, trimming roots...ouch!

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and finally after 2 days of healing, it finds a new home.

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Featured Answer

hanzrobo
Original Author

11 years ago

Hey everybody! I just wanted to do an update on this plant.

After the re-pot I put it in the greenhouse for a few days and didn't water it too heavily right away. After a few days I noticed the roots getting a bit soft and the leaves very compact and grey. The heat of the greenhouse was too much, too soon. I moved it out of the greenhouse, into the shade and watered it thoroughly. Right after that we received some intermittent heavy rains that kept everything wet for over 3 weeks.

I checked on the Tricho the other day and it was lush with growth, a bit etiolated from the shade and roots feeling a little too saturated. I put it back in the greenhouse sun to dry out and it seems very happy now.

I just wanted to report my progress and show that I didn't kill the plant!
Tom, I hope this helps you in some way.
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Comments (18)

TT, zone 5b MA
11 years ago
That looks awesome! Terrific trunk and roots, and nice job trimming...

You are obviously growing in a far different climate than I am - but mine never flowers. How do you treat yours? Water, sun, etc...

I have had mine for years and it kinda limps along...

Thanks!

Tom
greenlarry
11 years ago
That is fabulous! Mine has a long way to go!
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
11 years ago
Ryno,

When I said 'You got to raise the root up!' I see you took my advice splendidly. And thank you for the primer for all the budding (yuck yuck) fat plant enthusiasts - you, sir, will be responsible for creating a legion yourself.
hanzrobo
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Tom! I haven't had mine for very long so can't comment on the watering much. The water seemed to be circumventing the soil a bit. I had just dunked the gallon pot it was in a few days before transplant. I've been keeping it in the greenhouse which is about 40% shade.
I have other Trichos that I've experimented with lighting, they seem to grow very plump and happy with just the right amount of shade but will quickly become etiolated with too much.
In the sun, they grow more compact and dull in color but that's when they flower. I'd like to see a pic of yours, maybe you could tell me how you've kept yours alive so long.

Larry, yours looks great! I think you might be able to beef up those roots if you plant it in a bigger pot for a year or two. Mine was in a gallon pot and obviously grown that way for quite a few years.

Jeffe, I got all P-funk and raised the roots on this motha! I'm happy to possibly inspire a few new people looking for more chunk in their trunks.
I just hope I can pull this off successfully. Time will tell.
greenlarry
11 years ago
Thanks hanz, there is a caudex there, it does look like a mini tree already, but its been neglected and I just emergency repotted it.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
Very nicely done!

Josh
TT, zone 5b MA
11 years ago
Yeah! I love that plant!

What would help me is if I had your climate and your greenhouse ;-)... My T. bulbosum just does not push that kind of lush growth under my conditions. How much water do you give yours at this time of year?

Thanks!

Tom
hanzrobo
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, Josh.

Tom,

Honestly, I haven't developed a seasonal watering regimen with this plant yet. I've only had it for about 6 months. I read somewhere that they go dormant in Winter but I haven't seen that yet. It's actually raining at the moment and I'm glad I moved it to the greenhouse. It already had 3 weeks of consecutive rainfall, 3 weeks of staying wet and survived! I'm glad it's not going for week 4, I'll say that.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
11 years ago
Ryan

That is great looking plant, what a difference from before replanting/prunning.

What is the 'bulbous' looking plant to the left/behind it in the last photo?
Thnx.
Rina
bheavnly
6 years ago
I’ve had mine for years-just repotted it. Much happier!
myermike_1micha
6 years ago
Oh k, here we go again..Where can I buy something like this one? I love it!

You both have done an amazing job!!
bheavnly
6 years ago
I’m in CA. Let me see if I can research for you.
myermike_1micha
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
This is mine..Still young but I hope as nice as yours some day!!
bheavnly
6 years ago
Ebay! 20 available-very small but it’s a start. https://m.ebay.com/itm/Ice-Plant-Trichodiadema-bulbosum-Bonsai-FairyGarden-Houseplant-2-5-Pot/372101064734?hash=item56a2f3a81e:g:cbEAAOSwextZ3RWW
bheavnly
6 years ago
Found same item on Walmart-less shipping costs-good luck! https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ice-Plant-Trichodiadema-bulbosum-Bonsai-FairyGarden-Houseplant-2-5-Pot/189986504
Pluto1415 (6a/b, NE Ohio)
6 years ago
Hirts Gardens (the Walmart seller) also has a huge Etsy business, it might be cheaper if Walmart isn't in the middle...
bheavnly
6 years ago
I'm buying directly from Hirts now.