I started hosing the media away from the roots of potted nursery plants a few years ago after losing a couple of plants. Upon pulling them out, I could see the roots hadn't grown beyond the original container space. My soil is heavy, and I felt like the roots had trouble growing past the soft, airy potting medium. I gently hose the media away from the roots, while filling the planting hole with water, and have never had any wilt or damage as a result. Actually, they seem to take off faster. I find it particularly important when planting in summer or fall, to encourage rooting into the native soil and help with winter survival. I had the theory that the failed plants I mentioned above died from winter kill, because of the airy potting media allowing so much cold air around the roots.
