Root neck

For beginners, especially those who strive for the ideal in everything, it is quite difficult not to get confused in the specific garden and garden terminology. So, for example, quite often in the instructions for planting there is the term "root neck", and even in combination with a strict recommendation, it should not be buried in any case. How does the root neck of the plant, where it is located and why it can not be buried, let's understand together.

Where is the root collar?

The root neck is the place of connection of the root system and the ground part of the plant. Most often the term "root neck" is used for seedlings of fruit trees, but it is also justified for some other plants, for example, pepper. To find the root neck it is not necessary to have any special knowledge - it is located in the place where the uppermost lateral root leaves from the trunk.

What does the root neck look like?

Externally, the root neck looks like a small thickening, which differs slightly from the main trunk with the color of the cortex. Sometimes this thickening is so small that it is almost invisible to the eye. In this case, the old grandfather's method will help to recognize the root neck - if the green color is visible when the knife of the top layer of the bark is carefully scraped off, then this is the trunk, and if it is yellow, then the root neck. But to use this method is only in the most extreme cases, since even minor damage to the bark in this delicate place can become destructive for the plant.

Why can not the root of the neck be buried?

Incorrect choice of planting depth is the main the cause of their poor survival, delayed fruiting and subsequent death. That is why plants should be planted in such a way that their root neck is flush with the edge of the landing pit, except for specially specified cases, when a deeper landing is possible. What is fraught with a deep landing? First, the roots of the plant will not receive enough oxygen, which means they will not develop well. As a result, the plant will grow slowly, with difficulty transferring even the slightest temperature changes. Secondly, with a deep penetration, the root neck will suffer from water accumulating in the planting pit. This is fraught with exfoliation of the bark and rotting of the trunk, which in turn threatens the death of the plant.