Cyphophoenix elegans transplant?

[Tracy]

Has anyone attempted to transplant a Cyphophoenix elegans and was it successful?  I have a moderately sunny spot, that I'm planning to pull a palm from that has struggled.  I have 3 Cyphophoenix elegans in my yard already and am considering transplanting the smallest to the new spot.  I can always get a new palm for my spot, but don't really want to have 4 Cyphophoenix elegans in the garden, but think it is an ideal candidate based on size and sun exposure for the new site.

The one I'm considering digging for the transplant is below.

[Matt in SD]

Hi Tracy,

I'm sure you can dig a small one like that.  Can probably dig a big enough plug of soil with it so that you don't really cut any major roots...maybe 20" diameter by 12-15" deep.  Just stabilize the ball of soils with shrinkwrap while moving.  I dug a much bigger C elegans, just starting to trunk, and it survived but stopped growing for about 18 months.  It did eventually look good and grow pretty well.

Matt

[Tracy]

6 hours ago, Matt in SD said:

Hi Tracy,

I'm sure you can dig a small one like that.  Can probably dig a big enough plug of soil with it so that you don't really cut any major roots...maybe 20" diameter by 12-15" deep.  Just stabilize the ball of soils with shrinkwrap while moving.  I dug a much bigger C elegans, just starting to trunk, and it survived but stopped growing for about 18 months.  It did eventually look good and grow pretty well.

Matt

Thanks Matt!  Now I just need to build up enough nerve to actually do it.  I'm pulling out a purported Adonidia merrillii hybrid (NO ID on the cross but some species of Veitchia allegedly) which did terrible in the spot it was planted and that's where I want to put they Cyphophoenix elegans.  Perhaps if I start with the A merrillii hybrid extraction I'll build the nerve up to move the C elegans.  The other consideration was maybe getting a Kentiopsis pyriformis for the spot and not trying to transplant any of my Cyphophoenix.