Q. I have a healthy sago that is outgrowing its space
rapidly. When is the best time to relocate it? Is relocation successful
usually? It is such a nice plant that I hate to risk endangering its life.
rapidly. When is the best time to relocate it? Is relocation successful
usually? It is such a nice plant that I hate to risk endangering its life.
A. You would move it this fall, some time between the end
of September and mid-October, or next spring. You should not have a problem
relocating it. I would not put it any closer than five feet from anything you
don’t want it to touch or invade like a sidewalk or wall.
of September and mid-October, or next spring. You should not have a problem
relocating it. I would not put it any closer than five feet from anything you
don’t want it to touch or invade like a sidewalk or wall.
Hopefully
you will put it on the north or east side of a building or in a spot with a
little wind and sun protection and not use rock mulch around it. Pre-dig your
hole for the plant. Make sure the hole and soil for replanting are prepared
well with compost and a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus.
you will put it on the north or east side of a building or in a spot with a
little wind and sun protection and not use rock mulch around it. Pre-dig your
hole for the plant. Make sure the hole and soil for replanting are prepared
well with compost and a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus.
Remove
the bottom tier of fronds from the trunk. I would leave only the fronds which
are at about 45 degrees from horizontal and the inner fronds. Remove the older
ones that are below this point. Bend the remaining fronds up around the central
bud and wrap some twine around them to hold them together if they are pokey.
the bottom tier of fronds from the trunk. I would leave only the fronds which
are at about 45 degrees from horizontal and the inner fronds. Remove the older
ones that are below this point. Bend the remaining fronds up around the central
bud and wrap some twine around them to hold them together if they are pokey.
Take as
much of the root system you can when you move it. Cut deeply with your shovel
all the way around the plant about a foot to 18 inches from the trunk. Cut the
roots in a complete circle all the way around the plant at least twice making
sure all the roots are cut. Cut as many of the roots as deeply as you can.
much of the root system you can when you move it. Cut deeply with your shovel
all the way around the plant about a foot to 18 inches from the trunk. Cut the
roots in a complete circle all the way around the plant at least twice making
sure all the roots are cut. Cut as many of the roots as deeply as you can.
On the
third trip around the plant cut in the same spots but push down on your shovel handle
and begin leveraging the palm upwards. Move to a new spot and repeat it until
you have gone around the plant, leveraging and lifting, the third and fourth
time with your shovel.
third trip around the plant cut in the same spots but push down on your shovel handle
and begin leveraging the palm upwards. Move to a new spot and repeat it until
you have gone around the plant, leveraging and lifting, the third and fourth
time with your shovel.
The
plant should almost be free now or, if you are in luck, it can be lifted by the
fronds. If not, then push the plant on its side and cut any remaining roots
with your hand shears to free it. Tying the fronds up should make it easier to do
all this and move it.
plant should almost be free now or, if you are in luck, it can be lifted by the
fronds. If not, then push the plant on its side and cut any remaining roots
with your hand shears to free it. Tying the fronds up should make it easier to do
all this and move it.
Move and
orient it so it looks nice. Don’t worry about orienting it the same compass
direction as it was before. Backfill around the plant and run water in the hole
at the same time you are backfilling to remove any air pockets.
orient it so it looks nice. Don’t worry about orienting it the same compass
direction as it was before. Backfill around the plant and run water in the hole
at the same time you are backfilling to remove any air pockets.
Plant it
the same depth as it was in its original hole, no higher or deeper. Put a small
moat around the plant to contain water from the hose when hand watering. You
can drip irrigate the plant but still hand water it for the next 2 to 3 weeks,
filling the moat each time. Untie it and release the fronds.
the same depth as it was in its original hole, no higher or deeper. Put a small
moat around the plant to contain water from the hose when hand watering. You
can drip irrigate the plant but still hand water it for the next 2 to 3 weeks,
filling the moat each time. Untie it and release the fronds.
In the
spring, remove the bottom layer of fronds at the base of the crown just leaving
juvenile fronds that are upright. You will see new growth from the center and
it should regrow and fill the canopy in the first year.
spring, remove the bottom layer of fronds at the base of the crown just leaving
juvenile fronds that are upright. You will see new growth from the center and
it should regrow and fill the canopy in the first year.