Transplanting a small palm with roots exposed

[GMann]

I just dug a very small Bucaneer Palm out of the ground that I had planted about a year ago (no trunk on it yet). I will not be able to replant it for about 10 hours.

Some of the roots have grown quite a long way out of the root ball and are now exposed to the air. What should I do with it? Should I put it in water? Or should I just bury it in soil somewhere temporary until I can replant it in it's final home. (there is some work being done in that area and then need it clear). Or will it be fine to leave it in the open air for a few hours?

[Ben in Norcal]

Wrap the roots/rootball in a damp towel, paper or otherwise, and put in a plastic bag, I'd say...

[Kostas]

Cover the roots and exposed rootball with soil and keep it wet/moist till you can get it in the ground. Also,keep it shaded till then

[Josh-O]

Kostas nailed it!!

[Jim in Los Altos]

Giannopoulos and Ben's methods are both sound. As long as you keep those roots moist the few hours it's out of the ground, it should be fine. Palm sellers routinely ship palms bare root with moist sphagnum moss tightly wrapped around the roots and aluminum foil or plastic around that.