Do you mean the base of the caudex is that diameter or does that inclue the span of the roots that would be visible? I'm assuming the former?

Gill

The roots stick out below the soil about about 2" beyond the caudex all the way around. They are 4" long. The caudex diameter above the soil is 2-3/4". I would like to train the roots to grow flat out not down. Right now they are just spread apart by hand. I thought to space them out next spring since the tree is so young. This will allow the feeder roots to grow for now I heard that these trees need a wide pot but shallow. So I looked at 8", 10" and 12" across with 3" to 5" deep.

Thanks for the further info, not that I can advise you personally, just wanted to 'extract' some more details so hopefully the wise ones will come along.......

Gill

Marica, the best is pot about 1 to 1.5 inches bigger than the caudex all around.

But 8" pot for the plant 2- 3/4 in is okay too.

Marie

I know that Tracy has her Arabicums in much wider pots then the standard 2" bigger from pot to tree. But forgot what Rick had them in. I wanted the fatboy to get as wide as he could and the roots allowed to grow out not down. Just didn't want him looking stupid in this over sized pot. I also did not want to transplant it for awhile. Am I wrong they grow better in wider or should I just plant up every so often. Would the roots grow straight out better in a wider pot? Or could someone show me posts on root training Arabicums? I know they can be slower growing. Thanks

Marica, usually master growers put some kinda disks or inverted bowls under neath of the plant to train roots. Then secure each root with a pins or wooden sticks to keep them growing in a right direction. You don't want to restrict roots developing in a small pots, so yes, pots may look too big initially but it I'll allow roots to spread out. Take a pic when you done!

Elena, When I talked to Rick he suggested not touching the roots till next spring. Dino did the centipede roots like your tree. I would like some of the roots to show flat on the soil eventually. Was told to wait and establish more feeder roots. Some of Tracy's and Laura's Dino Trees look like they are in wider pots but I bet the tress are older then ours.

Oh I love those centipede roots, Dino did a great job! I didn't want roots to grow down so I planted mine on top of the dome in a big pot, I guess we'll see how it turn out. I have couple of dozens of seedlings that I'd like to train but I'm not brave enough to chop their bottoms off! Jericson begin to train his around three weeks old if I believe it correctly. Did your seeds sprout?

Elana, I have a couple of feeder roots coming out the bottom so I am pleased with that and the leaf out. I spread the larger roots out as far as I could. It was suggested that next spring uproot it and leave it hang for several days so the main roots soften. At that point I will need to get idea's what to use to train them flat. A lot of folks curve the larger roots slightly. I just like the flat on the top of the soil better. When I put these in a wider pot I don't want to disturb the new feeder roots so I will just transfer it in the soil for now. My root stuck out two to three inches for the base when I first planted it. So I will go with what Rick said

You need to be brave! These are even hardy as seedlings. Experiment that is the fun.

I have not planted my seeds yet but plan to do it this week. So pics in a week or so.