Transplanting a needle palm and separating offshoots...step by step

[jfrye01@live.com]

I’ve had this needle palm in my front yard for a year now, and I’ve noticed recently the strong winds have absolutely shredded it. Winter was kind to it, and it sailed through without any cold damage. However, spring and summer winds have destroyed the poor thing. I found a sheltered spot on the east side of the house where strong wind gusts are uncommon...I’ve noticed over the years working with needle palms that they are very easy to move around and they handle pretty severe root disruption very well as long as they are kept well watered after transplant. While I had the palm dug up, I was able to separate four pups. This is a painful experience if you don’t have leather gloves, so I’d definitely recommend a good pair! I’ve done this several times and have always had very good results. To separate a pup, grab the pup and snap it away from the mother plant. Untangle the roots as carefully as you can, but don’t worry if you break some. I’ve transplanted pups after breaking off 2/3 of the roots, with the plant still surviving...the key is water, water, and water! Here are some pictures, hopefully the palm will be happier where it is now! Cheers!

Before digging: 

Out of the ground:

New home! (I mulched for moisture control after taking this picture)

Pups potted up, they’ll stay under the deck in the shade for a while..

Edited July 8, 2020 by jfrye01@live.com

[Fusca]

Nice work - hope it does better in its new spot!  My brother-in-law is from Wichita where I believe you posted pics of Sabal minor so I'll have to let him know there are at least 2 species of palms in the ground in Kansas!

[jfrye01@live.com]

59 minutes ago, Fusca said:

Nice work - hope it does better in its new spot!  My brother-in-law is from Wichita where I believe you posted pics of Sabal minor so I'll have to let him know there are at least 2 species of palms in the ground in Kansas!

They’re around! There are a surprising number of palms around town, they’re usually hard to see from the street...mostly Sabal minor, needles, and T. fortunei...but there is even a Sabal Mexicana and Sabal palmetto in nice microclimates! 

[Leelanau Palms]

On 7/8/2020 at 7:08 PM, jfrye01@live.com said:

I’ve had this needle palm in my front yard for a year now, and I’ve noticed recently the strong winds have absolutely shredded it. Winter was kind to it, and it sailed through without any cold damage. However, spring and summer winds have destroyed the poor thing. I found a sheltered spot on the east side of the house where strong wind gusts are uncommon...I’ve noticed over the years working with needle palms that they are very easy to move around and they handle pretty severe root disruption very well as long as they are kept well watered after transplant. While I had the palm dug up, I was able to separate four pups. This is a painful experience if you don’t have leather gloves, so I’d definitely recommend a good pair! I’ve done this several times and have always had very good results. To separate a pup, grab the pup and snap it away from the mother plant. Untangle the roots as carefully as you can, but don’t worry if you break some. I’ve transplanted pups after breaking off 2/3 of the roots, with the plant still surviving...the key is water, water, and water! Here are some pictures, hopefully the palm will be happier where it is now! Cheers!

Before digging: 

Out of the ground:

New home! (I mulched for moisture control after taking this picture)

Pups potted up, they’ll stay under the deck in the shade for a while..

Any updates on your mother plant and pups?