Separating S. minor

[5am]

Ever been too afraid to separate minors because the root damage may kill them? Me too! But since my last move, seedlings are readily available at a local nursery so I can experiment without feeling too much remorse if something goes wrong.

March 19. There were 3 minors growing in a single pot and I wasn't happy with the arrangement. These 3 have much smaller leaves than my other minors. Not really sure if they're misidentified or perhaps just a much smaller variety. Anyway, it was time to yank it out and see what could be done! The roots were only about 1/3 of this depth just 10 months before, when it was potted.

 

This lizard was hiding under the pot. The camo is so effective that my phone wouldn't focus on it.

 

Separating the roots with a jet of water went nowhere so out came the reciprocating saw!  It was over in under a minute. Avoiding one of the underground stems proved impossible, so the sliver you see on the small one at left actually belongs to the middle one. Before potting them back up I rubbed cinnamon over the cuts. I have no idea whether that actually works, but I've already used a saw on them so why not try?

 

I also removed some older fronds while I was at it. Will they recover in time? Maybe! The smallest one made it out with the most roots, but if it's true that damaged Sabal roots die all the way back to the plant, it won't matter.

[Fusca]

9 hours ago, 5am said:

Ever been too afraid to separate minors because the root damage may kill them? Me too! But since my last move, seedlings are readily available at a local nursery so I can experiment without feeling too much remorse if something goes wrong.

March 19. There were 3 minors growing in a single pot and I wasn't happy with the arrangement. These 3 have much smaller leaves than my other minors. Not really sure if they're misidentified or perhaps just a much smaller variety. Anyway, it was time to yank it out and see what could be done! The roots were only about 1/3 of this depth just 10 months before, when it was potted.

 

This lizard was hiding under the pot. The camo is so effective that my phone wouldn't focus on it.

 

Separating the roots with a jet of water went nowhere so out came the reciprocating saw!  It was over in under a minute. Avoiding one of the underground stems proved impossible, so the sliver you see on the small one at left actually belongs to the middle one. Before potting them back up I rubbed cinnamon over the cuts. I have no idea whether that actually works, but I've already used a saw on them so why not try?

I believe that the underground stem is what you need to be concerned with.  I hope you get success with the other two but I'd guess that the middle one will look alive for awhile before it gives up. 

What nursery did you get them from?

[5am]

Dyer's in Weslaco. Their hours listed on google maps are wrong. Weekdays are 8:30-3, but they are not open on weekends. The entrance isn't marked so it might feel more like you're pulling up someone's gravel driveway, but don't let that deter you. The place is absolutely worth a visit. Take cash in case the card reader isn't working. You won't want to leave empty-handed. The 1-5 gal palm selection is larger than I've seen anywhere else. They've also got a large bromeliad collection and the more mundane stuff like crepe myrtles. No flowers or bananas, though.