I do put things at the bottom open hole, but something like a piece of screen or a couple rocks so the water can flow through, but the dirt doesn't. That is the only purpose in my eyes. I repotted my zzplant a couple months ago and actually separated the plants rhizomes and gave a few away. During the process of separating some of the roots did break off. My plant seems to be doing perfectly fine. I personally wouldn't cut roots if you don't have to (ie. the look unhealthy or by accident).

Don't argue with anyone about how to keep your plants, It isn't worth the trouble. Do some research and decide what is best for what you have and are trying to do.

Yes, you can root prune those plants, It doesn't hurt them. Don't cut the tubers. You can cut the roots if you need to re-pot but don't want to change up to a large sized pot. Some folks live under the misconception that plants like to be potbound so you can give them the snip and stuff it back into the small pot.

And Yes, you can cover the hole in the bottom of your pot with a piece of terra cotta as long as you are not "plugging" the hole, If your pot has a large hole then you'll wash out the soil near it and have a hollow space there instead although that might help aerate the roots so it may not be an entirely bad thing. I often use a piece of plastic screen or mesh in mine.

Hi Tampopo,

I'm w/ Dellis on this -- it's your plant -- YOU decide. Let the person go do as they advise to THEIR plant, if this one is yours.

The info above is all correct, the aim of covering the drainage hole is simply to keep the mix in the pot. I trace outline of the bottom of the pot onto a couple of layers of newsprint & then cut out the circle of newsprint & it line the inside of the pot w/ it. The mix stays in the pot, yet the water comes out fine.

It's not a crime to cut the roots, you've heard of root pruning, right?

These ZZ plants grow from both tubers AND roots, it may be too late tonight for me to find the pix (tho' I posted them here this year, likely a search would find them) which showed ZZs & their tubers WITH roots, both.

What on Earth pls. is IIRC?

Here are the plants:

{{gwi:85959}}

closer up

{{gwi:85960}}

closer still: notice that there are roots as well, some of which seem to come out of the tubers

closest, rather potato looking.

{{gwi:85961}}

Sometimes roots just naturally get ahead of the plant and there's no reason not to remove the overabundance of them since it will cause no harm to the plant.
Often when a plant is replanted the cutting back of some of the roots is a good thing to do since we wish to clean up the plant before giving it a fresh start---which repotting will do.
Now some will suggest you not repot until spring...when the plant is encouraged to add new growth--something the roots can feed. Repotting in the winter--since there is much less sunlight (intensity) the plant is not growing, ergo, doesn't need as much roots since cutting back of the amount of water is recommended. The plant, since its not growing, doesn't require the amount of water it normally needs when the sun's intensity is higher. The roots therefore can be much less to feed what foliage is above.

As far as plugging a hole with something....what's the point?
Plants must drain. A simple adding of material at the bottom of the soil allows such drainage and can prevent overwatering and root rot.
Plugging a hole encourages the roots to go around the bottom of the pot--the plant becomes root bound and what water is not used by the plant sits at the roots. Subsequent watering, then adds to the volume which can result often in the roots not being able to take up the excess, and root rot results. The bottom leaves are the first to diagnose the problem.

I agree, I think you have to grow your plants to suit you, not someone else.

I have a couple of ZZ plants I started from leaves also, very similar in size to Karen's. Lately I have lifted the plant higher in the pot, to expose some of the tuber, which I find interesting. If it thrives like this, I will keep it that way.

Yes, the terra cotta pot shard partially covering the drain hole is just to help keep the soil from spilling out, but there are better ways of doing this, as already mentioned.

In my view, each one of us has unique growing situations and lifestyles, so one general rule for growing certain plants will not work for everyone. We experiment a bit, and when we see what works best for our growing conditions, we stick with it. Just my humble opinion.

Christopher

{{gwi:116645}}From My Pictures

PG, iirc is If I Remember Correctly!

Hey there Deburn,

Thanks for defining IIRC, NOW I get it!!!

You're welcome, PG! next up: what's AFAIK?

:-)

AFAIK = As Far As I Know

Tamp,
If your still around, there's no wrong or right way to do it. I like a little bit of the "bulb" showing. Here's mine.
{{gwi:90227}}