UK potted Mediterranean fan palm rooted through pot in ground.

[Clare S]

Hi, 

UK (south) here! I found this page and was hoping to find some helpful advice please. I have a Mediterranean fan palm? in a metal pot with an interior lip, sat on gravel over a weed membrane, over soil. I’ve had it for at least 25 years maybe more but 17 years in this spot and it’s not budging so I assume it’s roots have set through the bottom in to the ground? I’m going to be moving soon, in the next few months but realise if I’m going to disturb it around now would be a good time? What I’d like to do is cut it free to leave a flat base, 1 to avoid having to dig it and the gravel and the weed membrane, take an angle grinder to the pot and find a new one and 2, I’d like it to be able to sit on a hard surface as it is, the new garden is wild and not suitable yet. How risky would it be to cut the roots? Looking at the base of the pot a dig is looking more likely. Any suggestions greatly received. I’d love to keep it but also of it’s going to be too big and left bare rooted I’d happy sell it to someone who can cope with it (maybe who’d want to plant it) and I’d start again with a baby. At the moment this plant is loving life, it’s always been happy and low maintenance.

Thanks in advance 

[SeanK]

Boy, it sure looks happy. A cutting wheel on a drill might work. If it were against a cement wall, I'd suggest building a bed for it. I think you're right, it will need a bigger pot.

[Clare S]

Yes it’s shame to have to move or repot it but needs must! 

[RichardHemsley]

It will be fine to move it. I have transplanted quite a few Chamerops,  and they can live with having the roots disturbed.

I doubt you will need an angle grinder to remove the old pot, looks well rusted so a pair of snips might do the job. Pop it in a plastic container for moving to your new house. If you have free draining soil you can plant it in the ground in the new garden

[Clare S]

1 hour ago, RichardHemsley said:

It will be fine to move it. I have transplanted quite a few Chamerops,  and they can live with having the roots disturbed.

I doubt you will need an angle grinder to remove the old pot, looks well rusted so a pair of snips might do the job. Pop it in a plastic container for moving to your new house. If you have free draining soil you can plant it in the ground in the new garden

Good to know. How about chopped?
I was hoping to put it on hard ground at the new place because of the garden being completely wild atm and not knowing what I want where for a while. It’s going to take some time to sort and plan out. The pot is completely intact from about 6 inches up and has an edge/lip at the top. Snips would be fab but not sure they’d be up to it. We’ll see!!

[happypalms]

Nice palm it will handle being moved and a bit of rough treatment won’t hurt it. Get a reciprocating saw with a long blade and get stuck into underneath the pot. Just cut into and get someone to pull it sideways as you cut the roots don’t be afraid. Be brutal to be kind it won’t hurt it. Transfer it into a bigger pot and away you go instant new palm.

[Clare S]

3 hours ago, happypalms said:

Nice palm it will handle being moved and a bit of rough treatment won’t hurt it. Get a reciprocating saw with a long blade and get stuck into underneath the pot. Just cut into and get someone to pull it sideways as you cut the roots don’t be afraid. Be brutal to be kind it won’t hurt it. Transfer it into a bigger pot and away you go instant new palm.

Ahh, thank you! This is really helpful to know I can do this! 

[Clare S]

1 minute ago, Clare S said:

Ahh, thank you! This is really helpful to know I can do this! 

Best done now or maybe in April. ? It’s still quite cold here we had higher temps last week which were a bit misleading. We’re still in crocus and snowdrop season just coming in to daffodils! It still could snow and frosts won’t go until possibly May 

[happypalms]

4 hours ago, Clare S said:

Best done now or maybe in April. ? It’s still quite cold here we had higher temps last week which were a bit misleading. We’re still in crocus and snowdrop season just coming in to daffodils! It still could snow and frosts won’t go until possibly May 

Best to wait until it warms up again. At least it will be in grow mode to h it recover from the shock. Also after you transfer it and you water it in use a liquid seaweed fertiliser for vitamin B to reduce stress. But if has to be done now then you have to do what you have to do. Good luck. 

[Clare S]

2 hours ago, happypalms said:

Best to wait until it warms up again. At least it will be in grow mode to h it recover from the shock. Also after you transfer it and you water it in use a liquid seaweed fertiliser for vitamin B to reduce stress. But if has to be done now then you have to do what you have to do. Good luck. 

That’s great, thanks so much. No not yet I have time to pick the best conditions!