I'm new here and really enjoy the site. I have a few trees that I would like to re-pot this summer. Since my soil will probably be different than what came from the nursery, do I need to try and rinse off most of the old soil to avoid a hard rootball surrounded by newer and hopefully better draining mix??
Thanks for your help.
Tony

the general consensus seems to be loosen the rootball, and maybe wash it in a bucket of water. Try to tease as much old mix as you can out of the roots. If it doesnt come willingly, you can leave it in, and the tree will probably adapt. but I always break (gently) any circling roots

Over the years, I have transplanted hundreads of citrus trees. Currently I have 73 (or so) trees in containers and two in the ground. I have many times removed all of the old soil, and then planted into my new growing medium (CHC/Peat or CHC/Coir). However, lately I have only removed enough of the outer portion of the root ball so that approximately one inch of the root ends are free, and extending into the new potting mixture when the transplant is completed. I use the hose to wash away the outer layer of soil, or splash the rootball up and down in a bucket of warm water. Removing an inch or so of the outer layer of old soil seems to work almost as well. How much of the old soil that MUST be removed depends on how good or bad the old root ball is draining. - Millet

Thanks Millet and garnet. I didn't want to do anything foolish with my Moro. A few others will be due before the end of summer.