Butia seedlings in the boot

[Robbertico18]

I’ve noticed around town there are some relatively large seedlings growing inside the boots of butia palms. 
 

I was wondering if anyone has had any success liberating and repotting/planting them?

[Fusca]

56 minutes ago, Robbertico18 said:

I’ve noticed around town there are some relatively large seedlings growing inside the boots of butia palms. 
 

I was wondering if anyone has had any success liberating and repotting/planting them?

Absolutely!    Below is a long term example of one I rescued.

 

[Harry’s Palms]

It would be worth a try . I think if you pry the leaf base away with a wedge or something you could pull just enough to see if you can pull it out without breaking the base of the seedling. I’ve never had this happen but I’ve had to remove volunteer figs from mine and it is a chore. If the seedling is allowed to put roots round the old leaf bases it would be more difficult. Harry

[Robbertico18]

21 minutes ago, Fusca said:

Absolutely!    Below is a long term example of one I rescued.

 

Wow! Is that just one year of growth there?

crazy!

[Fusca]

37 minutes ago, Robbertico18 said:

Wow! Is that just one year of growth there?

crazy!

No, no - two separate palms.  Large palm I added was 7 years after the rescue and the smaller one in my thread was rescued last year and hasn't grown much yet.  @Harry’s Palms makes a good point.  You need to pry the old leaf boot away from the trunk to free up the roots because the roots will extend down towards the trunk.  Root breakage happens depending on how many roots it has and how dry it is but Butia are pretty tough and can rebound from broken roots.

 

[Scott W]

As others have said, yes it's possible.  If it seems like it doesn't want to release don't pull too hard as you'll break all the roots off at rhe crown.  Use a knife or other flat object to work it lose if it doesn't just pull out.

[aztropic]

Got the seeds,but too dry to 'boot sprout' in the desert...🤷‍♂️😄 

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[Fusca]

12 hours ago, aztropic said:

Got the seeds,but too dry to 'boot sprout' in the desert...🤷‍♂️😄 

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

It never ceases to amaze me how the seeds can germinate and grow with almost no medium and limited moisture.  Such a feat in desert conditions like yours would be miraculous!