QuestionNick, I have a W. bird of paradise (10' tall) can you tell me how deep the root system will go? I recently found out that the plant is over my pool plumbing. The pipes are about three feet down. I'm afraid that the root system with damage the PVC piping. Thanks for your help.
AnswerMike, if it hasn't damaged it by now, I wouldn't be concerned, the underground rhizome on a 10 foot bird, has in all likelihood encompassed your PVC; a birds root system isn't like what you probably envision, with roots spidering out all over the place tangling and invading everything, these roots are actually like a big potato with fibrous, soft roots. These roots are not strong enough to impede PVC, albeit they are probably surrounding it with no harm being done. Nick
