A Couple Of Questions

[Scott]

Okay, these are pretty dumb questions I admit. But here we go.

I a palm is planted perhaps too close to an overhang, a King in this case, will it grow out and away from the overhang?

And, I have a volunteer Washy, which is right next to a retaining wall. It's about three feet tall now from the ground to the top of the fronds. It's also densly situated among other plants. I want to move it, so any ideas on how big to dig around it? And how will I know if it's deep enough - I don't want to cut it's roots.

Thanks!

[BS Man about Palms]

Scott-

You'll have to help move the King out, but it will probably grow out some.

The Washy is a problem. It should never be there!   Well, actually they seem to grow under the Murphys law principle. If you don't want it where it is, it will grow fast, grow large and break walls, sidewalks, etc.

If you want to move it and try to have it grow, it is destined to have a 75% mortality rate!

Good luck,

Bill

[Guest]

Hey Scott, Regarding the King or Archontophoenix palm. Is the palm a recent planting? How big is the king palm. If the plant is only recently in the ground, you shouldnt run the risk of transplant shock. And as far as the Washingtonia, for my time and money I would pull it out and try to save it in a five or larger gallon pot. Keep it watered and shaded for a few months to a year. You may also consider replacing it with a Brahea of some kind. They're more exotic and will take a little longer to get big. Just a thought, Happy palming! ps There's an article in the June 2006 Palms on related information regarding transplantation of R. robusta.

[DoomsDave]

Scott:

the dumb questions are not asked!

1.  A lot depends on how wide your overhang is, regarding the king palm.  It will lean out from about a 3 foot overhang; a six-footer overhang?  A little tweaking by forcing it to bend and aim the growth bud should do it, but do it soon, and the palm will be a burracho . . . .

2.  Just dig and move the washie, curse at it, urinate on it (well THAT's optional), toss beer empties into it, give it a huge drink of water, and plenty of sun, and it should survive.  Volunteers can grow very fast, I know, I've murdered more than I can count.  Sooner or later Mama tree's coming down . . . .   Don't worry about injury to the roots.  This heat makes it a PERFECT time to transplant AS LONG AS YOU GIVE IT ENOUGH WATER.  Every day for a week, every other the week after, once a week after, then, well, whenever.  They're TOUGH.  Use your worry muscles for rarer palms . . . .

dave