Can you split a multi trunked clump of Serenoa Repens in two chunks and make 2 plants?

[Dwarf Fan]

Like with a clump of Bamboo? Or will this just kill my Serenoa Repens?

[PalmatierMeg]

Photos? Do you plan to dig up one clump & transplant?

The general rule is that Serenoa repens will not survive transplantation for the same reason non-trunking Sabal usually do not: digging them up fatally damages the growing point(s). Has it been done? Yes, but plan on digging the largest, deepest rootball you possibly can, hold your breath and pray to the palm gods. A lot of work and a lot of risk.

If I wanted to place saw palmettos in other parts of my yard, I would plant potted specimens and let them grow up. I would leave the original palm alone. Since Hurricane Ian destroyed much of my yard I have planted two potted Super Silver saw palmettos I grew from seeds at intervals at the edge of my Garden Lot. They are growing well. I am growing and will grow Serenoa repens ‘Georgia Silver’ and ‘relaxed leaves’ from seeds I got from @Bigfish for future placements.

[Dwarf Fan]

Sorry pics would have been more helpful to begin with, my S. Repens (Green Form) is in a pot. I have spent the last 2 months sun acclimating it and it is now very tough! I thought if I split it now, I could either pot it up into 2 larger pots and wait til spring to go in ground or just go straight into ground NOW as the heat spike of summer is on it’s down turn for me, but it is still nice and warm and my young palms are thriving right now!

[Dwarf Fan]

“for the same reason non-trunking Sabal usually do not: digging them up fatally damages the growing point(s). Has it been done? Yes,”

I have found that planting, and then transplanting pot grown Sabal Minors is not as risky as the reported experiences from individuals transplanting in ground Sabal minors. You do however lose about 6 to 9 months worth of above ground growth due to below ground root regeneration. My oldest palms are my 2 Sabal minors that survived Palmageddon’21. I bought them from a Central Texas nursery growing in full sun in 1 gallon pots and then immediately planted them in ground in my backyard. One had all day direct sun light it’s whole life and the other was shaded during the morning and early afternoon hours from a neighbors Pecan tree. The one receiving the dappled sunlight outgrew the other one year after year during the 3 years they were in the ground there.

I was in a hurry on moving day, and while with the largest S. minor I was able to get the majority of the root ball during the dig out, the smaller S. minor I accidentally chopped about half of the root ball off during a hasty transplant!  They were both quickly thrown in 5 gallon buckets, given a little water and driven in the passenger seat of my car for 4 1/2 half hours to their new home. Upon arriving I dug their holes deep and wide and surrounded them with just Big Box Orange Store organic inground soil and watered them everyday since (only missing a day randomly from time to time). The larger healthier one started recovering after a few months of virtually no above ground growth and after about 6 months of very little to no action, the smaller one finally started to push frond! I am fairly confident almost 10 months later and after being frozen solid down to 1.9F during Palmageddon’21 in Central Texas that they both have now successfully survived the journey to their new home. 
 

I figured if “pot life” gave Sabal Minors more transplant “portability” maybe S. Repens root systems might respond to transplant in the same way. I just wasn’t sure if the shock of splitting a clump was worth the risk of losing one (or both) clump (s) and the whole experiment just becoming a big waste of time.

 

These S. minors are both just over 4 years old, as you can see I have obviously lost a considerable amount of size due to transplant shock as well as they didn’t receive as frequent watering as they do now and they were never fertilized during their first 3 years in my care due to my ignorance of Palm culture prior to joining Palm Talk and becoming and IPS member.

[Dwarf Fan]

Here is a close up of their heel growth which appears to have developed more centered and confined than a typical heel IMHO due to pot stress and multiple transplant stress. These were both single growing point S. minors when originally purchased but it appears they both are splitting into multiple growing points slowly as a result of the environmental stresses they have endured as well.

[PalmatierMeg]

You didn’t say it was in a pot so I assumed already in the ground. I still wouldn’t break it apart for the reason I gave: hacking the clump to bits will likely fatally damage the underground growing point(s). Get another potted specimen instead unless you are prepared to start over.

Planting Sabals already in pots presents little or no problems. Digging up non-trunking Sabals from the ground or in habitat is almost always a death sentence.

[Alex Zone 5]

That repens looks awesome keep it the way it is.

Sometimes a offset grow apart from the main trunk, a la needle palm😄 If you can wiggle, that offset then you could give it a try. I wouldn't risk it....

This little fella is going to the ground next spring. 

[Dwarf Fan]

4 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

You didn’t say it was in a pot so I assumed already in the ground. I still wouldn’t break it apart for the reason I gave: hacking the clump to bits will likely fatally damage the underground growing point(s). Get another potted specimen instead unless you are prepared to start over.

Planting Sabals already in pots presents little or no problems. Digging up non-trunking Sabals from the ground or in habitat is almost always a death sentence.

10-4 I will just order another one for the front yard and keep this one whole. Thanks Meg. 🙏