Transplanting Sago Palm - Do it Right

Q. Do you have any advice on digging and transplanting a Sago palm this time of year? It’s the roots I’m considering. I failed last time maybe because it was too hot.

Nicely cared for cycad or Sago Palm

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.