Transplanting Mature Sabal Minor + Pushing it in 9a

[elcassador]

We're about to start construction on a lot that has a lot of mature, beautiful sabal minors. Having grown them from seeds before I have such an appreciation when such large specimens in the wild.  While the vast majority will be fine, there will inevitably be some casualties. From what I have gathered, the prognosis of any transplanted sabal minor is pretty much guaranteed death to the plant. I was just wondering if anyone has had any success trying this. If similar protocols for transplanting a trunked sabal palmetto with a larger, deeper radius around plant with immediate placement in ground is it worth a shot? I have a feeling its really a lost cause but wanted to ask this community.

 

Also, being in Zone 9a I have a few species I am looking forward to planting to see how they do. There is a lot of protective canopy and some steep elevation changes that could provide some good protection. I have Syagrus romanzoffiana, Rhapis excelsa, Sabal maruitiiformis in pots. I think I could get lucky for a year or two with maruitiiformis but long term I know its toast. Any other ideas? I like Bismarckia Nobilis but again I think its just too much of a stretch.

 

 

[SeanK]

Might try Copernicia alba, Arenga engleri, Acoellorapphe writii, in addition to the common, bullet-proof palms.

[Xenon]

I wouldn't advise Copernicia, Arenga, or Acoelorrhaphe. They will all look horrible/nuked by the time it gets near 20F and they don't grow fast enough to just outgrow damage in a few months. Bismarckia kinda fits in this category too. Coastal Charleston or Savannah would be better places to push these palms. 

I would only push very fast growing palms that would typically survive your average winter with minimal-moderate damage, something that would look at least half decent at 20-22F. Some of the hardier Livistona come to mind like L. decora and L. nitida. Of course Washingtonia robusta is the best example. If you can find the most tender, ultra skinny, glossy green form...can look quite striking in Sabal-land. 

Good luck with the Sabal mauritiformis. The leaves are very tender, crispy crispy around 27-28F for anything longer than a brief radiational freeze. I've seen royal palms look better than this tropical Sandal after a freeze. Might as well try a royal while you're at it 😜

 

[PalmatierMeg]

@elcassador, you are correct about transplanting Sabal minor. Most of them are non-trunking and the stem remains underground. If you attempt to dig one up you will likely fatally damage the meristem. They may take months to do it but they will almost surely die. Has someone dug up a large minor and had it survive? Has Man flown to the moon & back and survived?

If you insist in digging up your large Sabal minors, make sure to trench around it in a square, one side at a time with a month in between. Get the largest, deepest rootball you can. Then, pray.

[Allen]

30 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

If you insist in digging up your large Sabal minors, make sure to trench around it in a square, one side at a time with a month in between. Get the largest, deepest rootball you can. Then, pray.

This is probably the most sane way to attempt it to let some roots start to regrow on that cut side then don't disturb them when you dig.  Then cut of all fronds except 1-2 and spear.