Transplanting Sago Palm – Do it Right

A. The ideal time to move sago palm, or cycad, is in the
early Fall or early Spring but you can do it now even though its cold. It’s
just not optimum. Evaluate your situation. If it has been in the ground more
than three years, it is more difficult to move without damaging it. It helps if
it was drip irrigated with no other irrigation within 10 feet or so. This
isolates the roots and keeps what you need to move closer to the plant.

These plants like a little bit of shade or protection from late afternoon sun. They just do better.

            Two
things are important when you move a plant: take as much of the roots and soil as
possible during the move and reduce the top by 1/3 to compensate for root losses
during the relocation. You will have more success if it is moved into a spot
with light shade, not full sun.

            Here’s
the process. I will put more information on my blog for you.

Cycad transplanting process

•             Remove
  fronds from the bottom toward the top so the remaining fronds are no more than
  a 45-degree angle from horizontal. The central fronds should be protected. The
  older palm fronds can be removed. Sago palm grows from the center straight up
  and the fronds become lower with age. Mark which side of the plant faces north.
  You will orient this side to the north again when planting.
•             Prepare
  the soil and hole in the new location so you can place it into its new home and
  plant it as quickly as possible. The hole should be about the same depth as the
  rootball you are moving. The hole with amended soil will be much bigger.
•             Move
  everything away from the sago palm so that it is surrounded by bare soil and then
  water the soil until it is sopping wet. Using a sharp, clean shovel, slice the
  roots of the palm at about 12 inches from the trunk. Otherwise, leave it
  undisturbed. The next day after water has drained, leverage the plant upward
  carefully from its old location while cutting any remaining roots that might
  hold it back.
•             Placing
  the rootball and plant on an old piece of carpet or strong fabric by lifting
  the rootball, carefully move the plant to its new location without breaking the
  soil around the rootball. Very important.
•             Orient
  the sago palm with the north side facing north and backfill around the rootball
  using amended soil as a soil slurry to remove air pockets. It will not need to
  be staked. Add any amendments to the soil you feel is necessary to improve
  rooting. I personally don’t use anything more than the amended soil.
•             After
  the soil has settled and starts to dry, cover the area surrounding the sago
  palm with woodchips. Woodchips are a better soil covering (mulch) than rock for
  sago palm.