Digging a Dioon- easy, hard or ?

[DoomsDave]

Pictured below is what looks like a Dioon mejiae, under my spreading Brahea brandeegii.

I'm planning to mulch heavily with wood ashes and palm leaves and I want to dig out the Dioon.

I'd greatly appreciate any shared experiences about digging and moving them. I assume they move relatively easily, but if I'm wrong please advise.

Thanks in advance!

[GeneAZ]

Not mejiae.  Looks like edule, angustifolium, sonorense -- that type of leaf character, to me.

Edule is growing for me right now.

 

[DoomsDave]

Any idea how easy they are to move?

 

[Palmaceae]

Every Cycad and Dioon I have moved survived with no issues what so ever, so I would say go for it!

[Palm Tree Jim]

Super easy Dave!

 

[GeneAZ]

It's certainly a very good time of the year to do it.  I'd water it well 24 hours before the dig so it's well hydrated, and the digging will be easier.  

I'd remove all leaves but one, and cut that one in half.  The remaining leaf will give you some indication that the plant is alive but sulking, which they can do after such an ordeal.  

You need to preserve about 12 inches of total root mass -- or more if possible. Keep direct sunlight off those exposed roots during transport using a black garbage bag or towels or something similar.  They are tough; Dioon might be the most bulletproof of all.  

Don't fertilize until new growth begins to emerge.  The better the drainage, the better the success!

[DoomsDave]

Here he or she is.

Didn't get much root mass.

[DoomsDave]

Looks like Mr. T-Rex bet his left nut and lost.

[DoomsDave]

Thanks to all for your encouragement, and Josh-o for answering my text.

I've been advised to err on the side of being too dry, to avoid rot.

[Palm Tree Jim]

Good advice.....did you add some pumice to the soil for drainage?

 

[msporty]

I agree with Gene that it's probably in the edule grouping. These are super easy to move. I wouldn't stress a smaller rootball. You can find a sunny place for it and wait for a new flush. These plants aren't terribly expensive these days to replace if all goes to hell. Here's one that we dug from the fall and is flushing. 

[DoomsDave]

3 hours ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

Good advice.....did you add some pumice to the soil for drainage?

 

I used spent palm potting soil. Cycads seem to really like that, it drains super-fast but holds a bit of water.

[DoomsDave]

1 hour ago, msporty said:

I agree with Gene that it's probably in the edule grouping. These are super easy to move. I wouldn't stress a smaller rootball. You can find a sunny place for it and wait for a new flush. These plants aren't terribly expensive these days to replace if all goes to hell. Here's one that we dug from the fall and is flushing. 

I think it's an edule, too.

It was half-buried in deep shade under the Brahea, and likely would have rotted if it weren'f for me hardly watering the Brahea at all. It's a desert palm, after all.