Finally got the rootball out, please diagnose the roots and health of this plant

Question

Related question: Are these roots healthy or bad?

My Dracaena Reflexa Pleomele started having tiny yellow spots for some weeks. As a result, I was asked to take the rootball and inspect it. I took out the rootball, and here it is(since I don't know much about roots and plants):

You see the fat root in the third pic? I broke it, The root was hard, but not stiff. When I squeezed it, water came out bubbling. The root smelled like peanut, so I think the root is healthy.

However, the small ones just dropped when I gave a nice light rubbing. They are hollow and dried out. The small roots are dead? Here is the pic:

Should I let the plant rest in the soil it has been resting? If not, what should I do? just get rid of the soil and plant it in another soil? If yes, is this soil suitable for this plant?

Answer 1

This plant is pot bound but that should not be the cause of the spotting. Nonetheless repotting is a good idea:

• get a sharp knife and some interior plant potting soil. Something with extra drainage factors like perlite or vermiculite. Do not use soil from the garden which will not drain as readily in a pot.

• remove the plant from the pot. Check that the drainage hole is not plugged

• using the knife remove one quarter to one third from the bottom of the root ball in a flat slice
• make several vertical slashes approximately one inch deep around the circumference of the pot. Remove the ends of roots that have been cut
• add new potting soil to the bottom
• return the plant to the pot, pack some more soil in, water thoroughly

There are a lot of dead roots including the hollow ones in the pictures. That is why repotting is a good idea. The picture of the soil you show is not suitable for indoor plants. Consider adding perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.