Hello! Your plant is a very nice shape, I like the way you have grown it. My only criticism is the overall choice of the new pot as IMHO it does little to compliment your lovely tree like plant to its full potential.

Could any of the rootball be pruned to allow you to use a pot that is wider than this tall type? Unpotting and letting the plant rest whilst devoid of all soil and water, allows the roots to become less turgid. You can then with care, manipulate them better, so maybe move them into a flatter shape which would be easier to fit into a more shallow pot. It looks totally unbalanced at the moment, the tall tree shape is fighting with the pot as I'm sure you agree with you mentioning your bonsai background, just doesn't look right? A wider pot would also allow its caudex to develop further in width as its now trapped and the whole plant will end up being pushed upwards out of that pot. Plus the pot looks very flimsy, when it's lifted the soil may move around and dislodge, not good. Any sun striking the pot will get through to the roots and maybe damage them easily, a thicker pot (terracotta is ideal though not essential) would afford greater protection from both hot and cold temps.

As for back filling that gap the between the roots....my suggestion would be to unpot (having chosen a different pot to use this time round!) place a certain amount of the new gritty mix (great choice btw) in base of pot, but build it up into a mound as high as possible, keep the plant upside down and fill the gap as far as you can, place some clingfilm over the soil you have just filled in with and hold in place with one hand, flip plant upright and place on top of mounded soil, keeping hand over the clingfilm and the filled in gap. Stand plant upright and carefully pull out the clingfilm layer. Shake and jiggle, poke and prod whilst trickling dry mix into and around the roots with the chopstick to fill in any gaps and see how it goes. Any good?

Gill UK

Rob, first off. Nice tree. I feel it definitely needs a larger pot than the one you have it in. there should be atleast 1/2" - 1" space from widest part of root or caudex, which ever is the greatest from sides of pot.. This will allow for new growth also.

A photo of the space that you speak of would assist, but this space is quite common with Adeniums. More than likely the problem you where having with filling this space with gritty mix. Is that the size of the pot and shape made it hard to do so.

Is this tree one that you would like to use as a Bonsai?

Generally, just tap the pot on surface of table or giving it a bit of a jiggle as putting in the gritty mix and holding it at the level in which you want it to be, works well.

Rick

Must have been typing this while Gill was. Good info, Gill.

I do not believe so, rooftopbklyn. I believe that Rob stated in his first sentence that he went ahead and repotted this tree into the pot shown?

If so, then I think it needs to be rephrased and photo of current pot shown. Could not imagine there being an issue with repotting and soil mix being replaced if it where in a larger pot?

Rick

Mmmmhhh, well, I for one am now totally befuddled!......'scratches head'.....is it before, or is it after? Only the OP can tell us for sure!

In the meantime, its raining yet again here darkest UK : /

Gill UK

I agree with rooftopbkln about how it was worded. I think this is the before. We need an after pic, OP!

Well, now that I've re-read my own post; I see the confusion. All of those pics are of PRE - Repot.

This is how it sets now -

I lifted it about 1 1/2", probably could have went more; but didn't want to push my luck. The main structure of the remaining caudex beneath the soil is very well developed, so I wouldn't want to remove any of it. I did plenty of chop sticking and pot tapping. The outside of the caudex is like a curved wall of tightly placed thick tuber roots, which is why I'm questioning whether or not the internal void is filled. (Believe me, I am kicking myself for not taking pics.)

gc's - plastic wrap idea might be something. I know I'm Bonsai minded, where it's crucial not to leave any air pockets. Since this is somewhat of a succulent; would an air pocket be so detrimental to the roots?

If I do have to try again, I bought this pot today.-

Sorry for the miscommunication, and thanks for the response.

Rob

Looks perfect. I wouldn't mess with it. Water with a root hormone to help with the shock of transplanting. I repotted 15-20 seedlings today. Woof. What a chore!

Much better! Your last pot looks even more suited IMHO, but the choice is yours as to whether you do another re-pot, bearing in mind it hasn't had chance to settle in yet, so would it really harm it if it were moved again?

I have come across empty spaces when repotting mine, no harm seems to have been done, caused by the way the roots have grown and how the mix has settled in around them. Unless you repot several times a year, one has no knowledge what's going on down there! I only repot once in spring so I may be in for a surprise myself pretty soon!

You may find those thin roots above soil level may wither and dry up if they're not in touch with the mix and actively drawing water up. Some prefer the clean shaven look and would snip them off flush with the caudex, others leave them, again personal choice.... personally I'm a snip 'em right off kinda girl!

Gill UK

Rooftopbklyn was spot on.

I would leave it in the Terra Cotta pot you have it in at present. Looks great.

Should not have too many issues with large spaces within root area and soil. If tapped when potting and watered in, it should help solve any issues with this.

Rick

The repotted Adenium looks good to me. And the new-new (empty) pot is very nice and will make whatever you put in it a very nice home.

About caudex height - the caudex and roots will fatten faster if you leave them below the soil line, it's mostly personal preference for how much to raise during repotting. I think you struck a balance and myself, I wouldn't clip off anything just yet. But as Gill said, you won't hurt the plant either way. If you do snip them off seal the cuts with wood glue and they'll heal faster.

Daniel

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I'll wait a while and see which of the smaller above soil roots survive, the ones that shrivel and die will be removed.

Well due to a change in circumstance, this one has decided it want's to stay put for a while; right where it is.

Rob