Thanks Anthony! I'll try and get them apart this Fall.

I had ordered four of the common Trumpets in a package deal, but I had a fifth. As near as I can tell, it's Anastasia and Jung's don't sell it in their catalog. I was thrilled with the extra and even mixed up soil to replant all of them in. Instead, I planted all of them in it, and a big hole, LOL!

I hope you're right about the shake it loose :o)

Now there's a lovely surprise!

Wow! Look at those roots!

Whew...those don't look like the "shake 'em loose" type.

They look like the "we're sticking together, no matter what" types

they are stuck tight,arent they?

ROTFL!!! Oh nooo it's hopeless! I can hear it in your voices!!

Well, I'll just do the best I can. I have a lily book so maybe I'll find a solution there. (Actually, I forgot I have a lily book :o)

See how good you guys are?

It's not hopeless. I've sold potted lilies for many years, and had to divide up many an Asiatic that looked like that. Just start from a side and work your way in, pulling gently.

It's going to take a lot of teasing but I bet you'll save them. Would it help to soak them in water before you start?

Sometimes I'll use the water hose gun and blast the root ball with water. That removes enough soil to pull the roots apart.

That's a great idea Neal!

Yes it is!

Thanks everyone. I will save them! I know I can re-order if I have to, but the challange is there. I will use the hose to get rid of the dirt, start on a side and give it my best :o)

I was always good at getting knots out of string, shoelaces, etc.

Ya know how nursery plants are often really root bound? I use the hose instead of cutting through the roots, it's easier and I think less damaging.

Must be a man thing. I was cutting through a bunch of root bound gallons, and Russ came out, saw what I was doing and went in and got the water gun he uses to clean cars with, and blasted those things. It really worked well.

But here's a funny question. When I potted up the gallons I put small plants in there. The gallons were filled with dirt. When they became root bound there was almost no potting soil left in there, just roots. Did the roots eat the soil?

I've surely wondered the same thing, the soil seems to just disappear! I believe the compost in the potting soil simply breaks down and reduces in volume.

gemini_sage said: I believe the compost in the potting soil simply breaks down and reduces in volume.

That's exactly right. In the same situation where the soil is already broken down to its minimal volume, you will find the soil surface raising in the pot. Often, this can be observed as trees grow, when you could have sworn that the soil around the trunk used to be level with its surroundings, but now seems to be raised.

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I don't think I would ever use a pressure washer on plant roots. While root tissue has enormous potential to mend itself, that's really producing massive damage at the cell level that you can't see.

Oh, I don't use a pressure washer, just a regular hose nozzle with enough force to wash dirt away, or sometimes its better to just use the hose with no nozzle. Well, on big woody things I have turned the force up pretty high, but on tougher plants.

I use a garden nozzle adjusted to about a 15-25 deg. angle spray; then open the valve about halfway. I start at the bottom and clear out what soil I can, then work the sides. It's a given some roots will break off but lilies are pretty resilient and grow new roots.

You might find some bulbs with multiple noses, not completely separated. A little twist will separate the noses into individual bulbs if they are ready, otherwise I plant the whole thing back in and wait a year.

I agree with Lefty about using a pressure washer at high pressure. I get plenty of pressure from the city reservoir but out in the country using well water and pump maybe it needs a little boost?

Yes, our pressure here with a well and pump sure won't blow anyone away.