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Trachycarpus Fortunei - moving

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by koalabear, Jun 9, 2019.

  1. koalabear

    koalabear Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello!
    I've got a nice trachicarpus fortunei, it's just finished flowering - see images - there were three flowers this year.

    I'd really like to move it to a new location. I was waiting until now because I read that it's best to move them in the summer when they have the most energy to recover. But then I've had contrary advice saying it's the worst time to move...

    Any thoughts? Would moving it these days be harmful?

    Thank you!
     

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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    How long has it been there?
    I've never tried moving one, but I dont think cutting through the roots is easy.

    If you can, I think it would have every chance of surviving, but it will put it back for a few years I would guess.

    Mine always seem to make massive new root growth in the autumn during wet weather.
     
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      pete, Jun 9, 2019
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    • koalabear

      koalabear Apprentice Gardener

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      Thanks, Pete! It sounds promising if yours roots in autumn... it's been in situ nearly 3 years...
      It shouldn't be a problem to hold it back a few years, our garden is very small so staying small is good... hmmm...!
       
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        koalabear, Jun 9, 2019
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        I moved an 8ft trachy four years ago:
        Palm Rescue
        I moved it in January into a temporarily position and moved it into it's final place in April. I don't know the best time of year to move them, but I got away with mine. It took three years to get over the shock and it was only last year that it started to push out new spears. I don't think I was watering it enough to begin with so now have a soaker house around the roots which comes on for a few minutes once a day over the summer.

        You can see from my photos the size of the rootball, they are very big, try and keep as much root and soil as possible when digging up and soak it before and after moving.
         
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          JWK, Jun 9, 2019
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        • koalabear

          koalabear Apprentice Gardener

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          Wow, thanks for that JWK. It's fantastic that you have all this documented. And I'm glad to hear it's gotten over the shock. Can't believe there was only two of you with one that big.
          Indeed, we'll have to try and preserve the rootball as much as possible and keep it wet. Luckily, we only need to move it a couple of feet, so at least no car journey... as mentioned, our garden is small so every feet counts!
           
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            koalabear, Jun 10, 2019
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          • Mike Allen

            Mike Allen Total Gardener

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              Mike Allen, Jun 10, 2019
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              It took two of us to lift it into the car but to move it up my garden (which is on quite a slope) I needed three.

              Your's looks a bit smaller so you should be able to preserve the fronds as much as possible, tie them up out the way. When you dig underneath try slipping an old blanket or better a hessian bag so you can that lift it out easier. You can see the roots are very fibrous there is no tap root so you should be able to get a good sized rootball if you take your time.

              Good luck and let us know what happens :blue thumb:
               
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                JWK, Jun 10, 2019
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              • andrews

                andrews Super Gardener

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                We moved a similar sized one about 16 years ago. Watered it well the day before it was dug up and again when it was replanted. Its now about 15 feet tall.

                They seem to cope with moving fairly well
                 
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                  andrews, Jun 10, 2019
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                • koalabear

                  koalabear Apprentice Gardener

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                  Thanks Mike, it really does! Glad my plan is being backed-up with some academic knowledge!
                   
                  koalabear, Jun 11, 2019
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                • koalabear

                  koalabear Apprentice Gardener

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                  Fab! I will definitely be giving this a go this summer... and will keep you updated : )
                   
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