Separating Kentia twins

[hopper]

Hi all

Looking for advice on the separation of a recent eBay purchase.

Just purchased a Kentia palm from a local resident, or what would be two palms in one pot.

I'm looking at separating them and planting out as two individual plants this spring (sep/oct).

I had read options about removing all the soil from the roots of both palms, then separate. Then replant in the garden and apply seasol seaweed solution.

Then I read not to apply any fertiliser for a couple of months to let the palms settle in!

I was thinking about just cutting the two in half (to avoid washing out the soil) and keeping the root ball to some extent intact. Then plant out!

Both palms look to be about the same height, but not sure about age. I havent picked them up yet, so not able to get all the details about soil type and or if it has just been repotted?

Anybody set the record straight, or at least point me in the best direction?

I know these things are reasonably hardy, as I dragged two of these things home last December. One has since rotted, but the larger of the two is still hanging in there, but has been in a stagnated state.

Thanks again

Martin

[Kennybenjamin]

Hi Martin,

I think you would be much better off going with your first option of washing of soil and teasing the roots apart. If you are careful and lucky you will not do any root damage which is a certainty if you cut the root ball in half!

Your seaweed solution will not harm the plant and is highly recommended after any root disturbance! A chemical based fert may do some damage if applied liberally after the plant has been through some shock. I would suggest maybe remove the lowest leaf from each palm, stake, water regularly and apply your seaweed solution every couple of weeks for a few months. Some patience will be required, in my experience kentia are slow to spread their roots.

Good luck

[plantpirate]

Sound right ill take option 1 also either way good luck

[KennyRE317]

Hi Martin,

I think you would be much better off going with your first option of washing of soil and teasing the roots apart. If you are careful and lucky you will not do any root damage which is a certainty if you cut the root ball in half!

Your seaweed solution will not harm the plant and is highly recommended after any root disturbance! A chemical based fert may do some damage if applied liberally after the plant has been through some shock. I would suggest maybe remove the lowest leaf from each palm, stake, water regularly and apply your seaweed solution every couple of weeks for a few months. Some patience will be required, in my experience kentia are slow to spread their roots.

Good luck

this is what i would do also

[KennyRE317]

those also look like they're burn like crazy if you put them in full sun, but then again that's how you get them used to it. i have a pair that were burnt to a crisp and the fronds are looking real nice right now in full sun

[hopper]

Thanks all

Looks like I will be removing all the soil to separate these two.

They will be planted out under the canopy of two large gums, so sun burn may not be as big an issue.

I'm more concerned with our summer sucking the moisture out of everything.

Martin

[MattyB]

At this point I suspect that the two palms roots have become intertwined so much that they cannot be teased apart. Keep the dirt in the rootball and take a large, sharp kitchen knife and cut them in half like a giant piece of cake. They won't mind.

[BS Man about Palms]

What Matty said..

[Hammer]

I've got a sign in my yard that says... "WWMD?" When in doubt I follow Matty's advice.

[BS Man about Palms]

Tis sage advice... except when its wrong

[MattyB]

I don't always give advice, but when I do, I'm drinking

[hopper]

Ok ok

Mattys advice it is then, I will slice them up in the early spring.

Thanks

Martin