Monday 24 March 2014

Shattered - a job for Epoxy Man!

This is a "Brown Turkey" fig which I purchased this year as root-stock. I think I could say it grew like the clappers. But then the top leaves started to curl inwards, and they (and other leaves) started to wither at the edges. I suspected the plant was root-bound. But, this was one of my larger pots. In desperation, I snipped the new growth at the top out. But, root-bound is root bound. Then, Hamish held his "Moving Out" sale. And he wanted to off-load this massive pot for $60. Goodo thunk I; I'll have that. I bought the pot, a 2-wheel trolley, and a couple of other things for $80.
But, the fig was SO root-bound, that I had no chance of getting it out of the original pot. Swallowing my pride, I asked my son-in-law for help.

*Hangs head in shame.*

He twisted, and eased, twisted and dusted, but the pot burst its gunnels rather than let the fig-tree free. I had the soil all prepared in the massive pot, and it was a wriggle-of-worms, as I scooped soil to the edges to prepare a shallow resting place for the massive bundle of roots. The rain today has settled it some more, Tomorrow I will give it a good hose, and top up the pot with some friable compost I have brewed 'specially for the task.

But, what to do with the shards? Mr Google tells me that terracotta pots are repaired all the time. All the time. All that is required is a two-part epoxy glue. From what I have read, "Milliput" appears to be a good product for this task, but I am having trouble getting online suppliers to ship to Australia. Must all have Mercator-maps. Blimey! Not even Mr Bunnings can help me. Drats!

2 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

I had no idea withering leaves were a sign of being pot-bound. Now I know.
So, there's no made-in-Australia two-part epoxy? What a shame. The new pot seems the perfect size but you don't want to throw out the old one, I'm sure.
I love Kirsten's photos of your beautiful granddaughters. Delightful!
We are away again tomorrow, this time to Iceland for Dick's 70th birthday.
Luv, K

Julie said...

The most popular two-part epoxy would be Araldite, but that is not good for terracotta.