Seedling S. louisiana

[Las Palmas Norte]

I started these Sabal louisiana in April 2024. They went into these 3" pots and some roots are escaping though drain holes. Makes me wonder if I should plant one out at this stage. Easy to winter protect to size it up quicker. A few have developed a bulbous base while most appear in their typical form. Anyone else with seedling S. louisiana?

 

[Fusca]

I've got a few from this past year as well.  First time for my in ground Louisiana to produce seeds. Obviously I'm in a different climate than you are but I wouldn't hesitate putting one in the ground now.  Here Sabals seem to grow better in the ground than in a pot.  Yours look a bit further along than mine. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

24 minutes ago, Fusca said:

... Here Sabals seem to grow better in the ground than in a pot. ...

I think that's true in many cases. While palms manage nicely in pots, some better than others, unobstructed root run seems to stimulate growth. 

[Chester B]

Don't plant them out at that size in your climate.  They will likely sit there and linger or eventually fade away, this is from experience.  You want to get them bigger and give them additional heat like in a greenhouse to keep them moving.  Louisana is tougher which is good but I would be transferring them into some tree pots at that size so the root has room to grow.  Once they start getting bifid leaves it may be worth planting a couple out to see what they do.  I planted small palmetto around that size in Portland, and they all eventually disappeared.  I did plant some minor a bit larger than those and they did pretty well, but there is a whole lot more heat in Portland than your location.

[PalmatierMeg]

Agree with @Chester B

[SeanK]

Sabals like heat, so I concur with @Chester B. Deep pots, a couple winters in the greenhouse.