Help! How do I get a dead plant out of its pot without breaking myself or the pot?

The above is a picture of a dead box plant in a terracotta container about 45cm high and diameter 50cm. I need to get it out. I have quite a few of these -- a consequence of box beetle. This is not a trivial task. It weights a lot. I'm working by myself.

I've hacked off most of the top growth with secateurs -- maybe there's a better way (hedge trimmer?)

But the biggest problem is how to get the soil and strong tap root out. Any tricks appreciated because so far it is defeating me completely.

Howard

 

In similar situations I've used an old bread knife to slice some chunks of soil and root out. Slip it down the inside of the pot and work all around first. If that doesn't free it, turn upside down, insert a short piece of old broom handle through the drainage hole and whack it with a club hammer.

 

A saw doesn't work but I will try the broom handle idea when I can get someone to help me.

 

This is an imaginative idea!

 

I'm in for the Big Knife Method as well, unfortunately we don't have old bread knives around so I use the good chefs' knife and wash it well afterwards

Cut around the soil following the side of the pot to cut away the tiny, clinging roots attached to the porous clay wall. Then the Scrungee's broomstick method sounds very efficient if just yanking and cutting chunks off the soil doesn't work or if the hole is too small to fit anything substantial through.

If the soil is clay-ish, a thorough soaking might help, but it will add to the weight if you need to lift anything.

Rolling the pot around on it's side might also help after cutting the rootball off the sides. If you do the rolling and pulling over some kind of large sheet, it will be easier to manage the removed soil afterwards.

Good luck and sorry about your Box Howard! You'll have very nice planters free for some bulbs afterwards though. Big terracotta planters are so very beautiful!

 

Knife method for me too. Patience though. Cut every root that appears as you dig out loosened soil. Serrated knife! trowel and secateurs
Never broken a pot yet despite some jammed in plants

 

Turn the pot upside down and stick hose pipe in the drainage hole (make sure it stays there)turn on water but no full bore and go and have a cup of tea

If it hasn't wash some soil out at least you have had a cup of tea!!

 

I usually do a combination of @ARMANDII and @Scrungee 's methods.

First, cut the stem(s) so that they are flush with the soil this will mean that there is a gap between the top of the soil, and the top of the pot. Then pot the pot on its side. Determine the size of the drainage hole. Find the appropriate size "pusher" to go through the hole. Could be a broom handle, or a metal meat skewer for a tiny hole...
Then push, sometimes you have to roll the pot to help with the movement. If all else fails, turn upside down and leave for gravity to do it...
It's at times like this, you realise the importance of placing a strong crock across the hole, to push against. I always end up regretting placing polystyrene over the hole!!

 

What a good point that is> I will have to remember that @ARMANDII

 

I will be interested to hear how you get on @Howard Stone as I have exactly the same problem.

 

Soak the plant very very thoroughly. With a little bit of digging it really should slide out of the pot that shape . Otherwise the mallet and tube of Bostik method never fails

 

I'd be inclined to leave what's left of the woody growth. Really good soaking at the same time by whatever means scoop out the soil, including the knife suggestions. Also perhaps an old saw slipped under the pot, as the roots may have grown through the drainage hole. Once really soggy, grip the remains of the plant and try using the plant as you would a sink/drain plunger.

 

Don't forget to wear safety goggles!