mike

best to leave them potted up till I move

Yeah if you ARE moving next year.

Sabals and transplants? I've got young Sabals in pots for 4 years that aren't growing more than 1 leaf a year.
So...the risk isn't big.
It's either transplant shock this year or next year.

Sabals grow slow as slugs even in good conditions.

Re the "10+ year house", I'd get it in writing. 😆 😆

Barb

If its not terrible big, you can dig far out enough to avoid damaging much of the roots. Erik and I dug what I would call a 15 or 20 gallon sabal last year. (Thanks Erik! ) I wouldn't wanna dig much bigger than that by hand. If you damage the roots of a sabal, you will need to remove some leaves. The compromised roots can't keep up with transpiration losses of a full crown. That is why you see the field dug sabal palmettos with sparse crowns, or "hurricane cut". Sabals grow faster when they get larger. They are a subtropical palm, and require the long hot days to make those sugars and grow. You could "pot-plant" them, too - always an option, and one I would consider if I were moving soon.

one is a 5 gallon of good size the other a 3 gallon. I think pot planting them might be my best option for now...but if we don't move am I ever gunna be mad. should I put any extra drain holes in the pot when pot planting? anyone tried transplanting any windmills? I have seen them dug and they seem to transplant very easy.