Licuala Cordata Transplanting

[Shazzdog]

I have a large L Cordata in ground around 30 years old. Moving house and wondering what are the chances it would survive being dug out and placed in a pot. Any advice on the best way to go about this? I’m in Cairns

Thanks in advance

[sgvcns]

If you are staying in the Cairns heat the Thai way maybe. Dig and pot up then put the whole thing in a sealed plastic bag. I'd treat with fungicide too. Leave in shady spot and in the bag for at least a year. Fronds should not touch the plastic. Highly successful in Thailand and I winterise Pinanga mirabilis here in Brisbane like this but on heat here.

[tim_brissy_13]

11 hours ago, Shazzdog said:

I have a large L Cordata in ground around 30 years old. Moving house and wondering what are the chances it would survive being dug out and placed in a pot. Any advice on the best way to go about this? I’m in Cairns

Thanks in advance

Best way to go about it would be to post heaps of photos of it here! I really just want to admire it but seriously it may help for advice based on the size of the palm and it current planting situation and surroundings. 

I’d say a 30 year old L cordata is worth a great amount of effort to keep with you. I can’t say I can offer specific advice on this species but a good general rule of thumb would be to get as big of a rootball as possible. Keep it moist and shaded after digging. Being a smaller species, I’d expect there’s hope in doing it successfully. 

[happypalms]

It can be done, I have dug out Johannesteijsmannia Altifrons. As Tim said get  as big as a root ball you possibly can lift, or the container size. First dig around the palm creating a trench. Then water it well and leave for as long as possible, place wet hessian in the trench. Possibly leave for a month if possible. Then on the day of removal excavate under your palm, lift and repot, wrapping in hessian cloth, place the cloth and all in the container reducing as much trauma and soil as possible. Water well with a mild seaweed solution for vitamin B stress relief. Remove perhaps a couple of older lower leaves if possible to reduce transpiration. Place in a shaded spot or in a greenhouse until the palm has recovered. Good luck with such a beautiful palm! 

[Shazzdog]

Good work on the Joey. I didn’t think it was possible. I’ve got a few from seedling around 10 years but they have been fairly slow

[Shazzdog]

19 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Best way to go about it would be to post heaps of photos of it here! I really just want to admire it but seriously it may help for advice based on the size of the palm and it current planting situation and surroundings. 

I’d say a 30 year old L cordata is worth a great amount of effort to keep with you. I can’t say I can offer specific advice on this species but a good general rule of thumb would be to get as big of a rootball as possible. Keep it moist and shaded after digging. Being a smaller species, I’d expect there’s hope in doing it successfully. 

I wasn’t completely truthful about the Cordata, I’m not moving (yet). It was sourced from a property up here and some how surviving on nearly full sun. Will post some photos if I can save it. Unfortunately I won’t have the time to prepare it properly so will just need to dig it out and see how i go. I have sharpened the shovel with an angle grinder!

[Shazzdog]

[Shazzdog]

[Tropical Toni]

On 1/10/2026 at 5:47 PM, Shazzdog said:

the most perfect pleated round leaf