Bury the trunk of a Giant Bird of Paradise?

[rsproule]

I have a drainage issue and need to raise the grade of the ground next to my house right where my Giant BOP is planted. What are the chances of the plant living if I buried the bottom 18”of the trunk? The plant is 12’ tall with 5’ of clear trunk. I can try to move the plant, but it will difficult since I would have to cut the root ball down to a size where I could lift out and move it by myself. Not sure it would even survive a move.

Thanks

Ryan - Inland Nor Cal, zone 9B

[turfpro01]

You can either build a 18" wall around the base to keep the dirt off the trunk, or use small rock around the trunk so it drains really well and doesnt rot. Even then it may if it is always wet?

[CromulentKevin]

Seems to me that burying any plant 18" will result in death. Seems like digging it up and replanting it at the proper level will give it a much better chance of survival (although obviously it will be an ordeal).

[epicure3]

My opinion is that it will probably die if you bury it that high. Lack of oxygen. What kind of soil do you have? If it is clay, then that wouldn't be good.

[DoomsDave]

Okay:

You want the plant to live?

THat's what it sounds like, and if so, I'd dig it up, best as you can yank it out, change the grade and replant it.

Those are tough [expletives] within their climate limits. A little man-handling won't hurt it in the long run, though it might be slow to re-establish, still an eyeblink in geologic time. I have tortured those things, and still they grow, later to thrive if given the chance. At my infamous Death Camp.

If you bury it, well, good question! I don't know, some plants take burying better than others, but I'm inclined to think burying it will be death.

So, the balance is: do you want the plant, or the convenience of not having to dig it up?

Hope this helps.

[edric]

Dave, I'd post this one on DG, and see what they have to say, I'll bet someone there has an answer, I think you may be able to do it, mine before the freeze, Ed

[John Case]

Burying the crown of this plant is an exceptionally bad idea. The flower spikes emerge from thi area of the pant and it is easily infected by disease. There is no 'trunk' on this plant as new leaves emerge from the top of the crown through the last newest leaf. I would guess that burying the plant 18 inches is singing its death warrant (dramatic enough for you?).

Where in CA do you live? These plants have become very common in my area. I would assume that your is over 15 feet tall if you are considering this move. They are not heavy plants. One that size can be easily transplanted with 2 people.