Avatar for Dann_L
Feb 2, 2010 11:41 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Duh! I planted this sago in the wrong spot. Now I want to transplant it to my front yard. It measures about 6' across and 3 1/2' tall. I don'[t have any experience with sago's (or I wouldn't have planted it where I did in the first place) and have a few questions.

1. Do sago's of this size transplant well?
2. Is there anything I should do in advance to prep it for transplant shock?
3. I'll get as much of the root ball as I can, but how much will be enough?
4. What do you recommend I do to prep the soil in the new spot?
5. Anything else I should be asking?

Note: The trench is for the electrical service to the BBQ I'm building.

Thumb of 2010-02-03/Dann_L-14be86
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
Avatar for rayman6422
Feb 4, 2010 9:43 AM CST

Region: Arizona Bee Lover Charter ATP Member Ponds
If you find out Dan let me know. I have a much smaller one tucked in a corner and I want to transplant it over by the pond.
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Feb 4, 2010 9:59 AM CST
Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Southwest Gardening Roses
Birds Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Daylilies Region: United States of America
How did you get all of these smilies on your page, Dan?
“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER
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Feb 4, 2010 7:05 PM CST
Name: Brenda
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Region: Colorado Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Ponds Region: United States of America Enjoys or suffers cold winters
They are new, Susie! Dan, that is one beautiful sago! Do you have to move it?
Avatar for Dann_L
Feb 4, 2010 10:24 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Yeah...I want to do it while I still can. It's obvious to us now that it will soon block a large portion of our view of the backyard from in the living room.
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Feb 4, 2010 10:50 PM CST
Name: Jo Miklovic
Augusta, GA

Charter ATP Member Cut Flowers Daylilies Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Region: Southwest Gardening Region: Tennessee
My DD has a Sago in a pot...it was out side and the frost killed all the fonds,,,she brought it in the house and it has put out new fronds, and seems to like living indoors. J
Avatar for Dann_L
Feb 4, 2010 11:01 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
We have two of these that we planted 5 years ago. Back then they were in 8" pots and only a foot tall and slightly wider. Every summer when the sun reached them, Deb would cover them with shade cloth. And she made me cover them with blankets in the winter when there was a chance of freezing temps. Then year or two ago, we heard someone on a Saturday morning radio gardening program say to let them go and they will acclimate themselves and those precautions would no longer be necessary. That was about the same time I adopted a staunch "Survival of the Fittest" plant policy so I promptly bought into that!

The fronds burnt that summer and they got nipped by frost that winter. Now the weather doesn't bother them a bit. As you can see they are quite healthy.
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Feb 5, 2010 8:45 AM CST
Name: Jo Miklovic
Augusta, GA

Charter ATP Member Cut Flowers Daylilies Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Region: Southwest Gardening Region: Tennessee
Hmmm I'll have to tell DD this. Thanks Smiling
Avatar for Dann_L
Feb 12, 2010 9:45 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
I Googled "How to transplant a Sago" and here's what I got.

Can I dig and move my Sago??
The answer is yes. One would preferably dig a very large rootball,
giving ample distance from the trunk. This would optimally be done
during the Spring or Summer. Care should be taken not to cut through
any sizeable roots (greater than one inch) or rot could set in. It is
also advised to remove a good portion of the leaves before attempting
to relocate the plant, especially if a smaller than desirable rootball
is unavoidable. Water it adequately after moving, making sure not to
over-water the plant. The Sago Palm is quite durable. As a nurseryman,
it is quite easy to reestablish plants that have had all of their
leaves and roots removed. But, common sense would lead you to avoid
damage to existing roots if possible.?
http://www.junglemusic.net/cyc...

On a lighter note:

Personally, I prefer the ?big guy? method:
?You want to move your palm or tree only once weather conditions are
warm and reliable, e.g. springtime is ideal or the sure rainy season
First, get a big guy with a strong sharp shovel

Have him cut down around the base of your palm or tree out about 12-15 inches
Now send the shovel down underneath the plant. Likely you'll need a
trench around the outside cut so the big guy can dig under the plant.
Try to dig beneath the root mass. Cutting some roots is OK

If you have a cycad like a sago palm, take a sharp knife and cut away
the babies sending the knife right along the outside of the mother
plant. Don't worry about hurting the mother plant

Replant the babies in similar sun/water conditions (where it is now)
until established and obviously growing ...then move them where you
want them. Many might die, but some will make it

After big guy #1 has cut your plant loose, get two more big guys to
pull out the plant ...maybe ropes or chains or maybe a truck to pull
Have your new hole ready. Fuss with the measurement so that it's not
too deep. Too deep = death. A bit higher (out of the ground) is OK but
try for perfection to match the old and new soil level exactly

After the plant is lowered into its new hole check your depth
measurement again. Adjust to perfection. Next fill the hole 90% with
water then wait for the water to sink in a little. As the water goes
down, add soil in small bunches and stomp it in well after every
addition of soil. You can use a wooden 2X4 or use your shoes/feet. If
needed, add more water as you go so all the soil is 100% wet
When you get to the top, all the soil will be wet and very firm
against roots of the plant. You may need or want to stake your palm.
NEVER use nails
Water a little daily to keep the soil moderately moist until
established again. If you do all this right, your plant should start
growing immediately and be happy

After your palm starts visibly growing in its new spot, fertilize per this page?
http://mgonline.com/fertilize....
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Feb 12, 2010 10:03 PM CST
Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Southwest Gardening Roses
Birds Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Daylilies Region: United States of America
I actually think I'd go to Summer Winds for a leisurely shopping excursion. OMG! Then stop off for a brewski.
“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER
Avatar for Dann_L
Feb 12, 2010 10:16 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Not familiar with Summer Winds but the brewski part sounds good.

I got to find some big guys to get started on moving the sago first though!
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Feb 13, 2010 4:57 PM CST
Name: Jo Miklovic
Augusta, GA

Charter ATP Member Cut Flowers Daylilies Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Region: Southwest Gardening Region: Tennessee
I'm glad to have this info...I just watered my DD's Sago today...soon time to put it back outside? Jo
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Feb 13, 2010 11:13 PM CST
Name: Brenda
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Region: Colorado Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Ponds Region: United States of America Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Dan, I personally prefer the 'Big Guy' method as well...

Rolling my eyes.
Avatar for Dann_L
Feb 14, 2010 4:41 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
I don't mind physical labor but sometimes a person just has to be realistic about what their limitations are. :o)
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Feb 15, 2010 11:18 PM CST
Name: Brenda
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Region: Colorado Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Ponds Region: United States of America Enjoys or suffers cold winters
When I say 'big guy method', I mean hire some big guy... !
Avatar for Dann_L
Mar 23, 2010 10:39 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
The sago has a new home in the front yard now.
We dug a trench all the way around about 18" from the base of the plant and about 18" deep. Then we shoveled the dirt from underneath the plant until it was lose. Next we slid a tarp under the root ball and lifted it from the hole. When we did that the dirt crumbled away from the roots. That plant had a root system that would fit in a 5 gallon bucket. We didn't cut hardly any roots digging it out. I was surprised that after 5 years there wasn't a more extensive root system.
Anyway, we had prepared a large hole in the front yard for it beforehand. I put 2 cubic feet of potting soil mixed with some of the soil from the hole along with a handful of palm food back in the hole around the roots. Then I mixed up 4 gallons of water with some B1 and a tablespoon of Super Thrive for it. That's all I know to do for it, I hope it works!

Thumb of 2010-03-24/Dann_L/4357c8
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Mar 24, 2010 3:13 PM CST
Name: Brenda
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Region: Colorado Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Ponds Region: United States of America Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Good job, Dan! You sure are doing some heavy lifting there at the moment!
Avatar for Dann_L
Mar 24, 2010 3:21 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dan
San Tan Valley, AZ
Dog Lover Hummingbirder Region: Southwest Gardening Tropicals Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
I had 2 big guys do the lifting this time!
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap ...What a ride!'
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Mar 24, 2010 3:31 PM CST
Name: Brenda
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Region: Colorado Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
Ponds Region: United States of America Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Good, save that back!
Avatar for EileenAZ
Mar 24, 2010 5:53 PM CST
Name: Eileen Schwab
Arizona
Charter ATP Member
My next door neighbor at the old house gave me their potted sago when they moved to a retirement community. It's in a rotten oak barrel and really needs transplanting. It also throws out pups most of the time. We need to transplant it NOW- what are their preferred parameters? This one got half sun half shade for years, then we stuck it in a southern exposure so it gets more sun but still afternoon shade due to the patio.

If we have any pups I'll post that info here. I doubt we'll want to plant all of them

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