Need help with Sabal Minor

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 4:20 pm

I just got back from a trip south yesterday where I bought a nice sized Sabal Minor. I went to pot it today and I saw that the roots were tightly wrapped around the bottom of the pot. I tried to untangle them but they were thick and rubbery. It seemed like if I tried to untangle them I would break the roots. I've heard that these don't transplant well so I decided to pot it as is. There were tiny roots shooting down from the ring of roots wrapped around in a circle so it looked like it would continue to grow roots downward.

What do you think? If I don't unravel the roots will it die? If I do unravel the roots will it die? Am I out of luck either way? What's my best option?

Okanagan desert-palms · Mon Jul 20, 2015 10:10 pm

Cuja don`t touch those S. minor roots. Sabal minor will find the new soil on it`s own! Plant in a tall pot rather than a shallow pot. My 2 cents worth.

John

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 5:38 pm

Ok thank you John

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:28 pm

Yes, sensitive roots. But, don't fret over the ones that broke. They will grow back, but slowly. I love these, but they are slow.

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:44 pm

TerdalFarm wrote:Yes, sensitive roots. But, don't fret over the ones that broke. They will grow back, but slowly. I love these, but they are slow.

Ok thank you!

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 12:53 pm

I grow them from seeds. If you find a big one for sale, get it, but it won't be cheap.

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:16 pm

TerdalFarm wrote:Yes, sensitive roots. But, don't fret over the ones that broke. They will grow back, but slowly. I love these, but they are slow.

What do you think about breaking the roots. I'm worried that it is root bound but I left it alone for fear that I would kill it if I broke too many. Should I take the chance on breaking the roots rather than let it be root bound?

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:36 pm

I'm no expert.

Root bound is not a big problem. But, if it was me, I'd get some scissors or shears and cut away the plastic pot as best I could.

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:44 pm

TerdalFarm wrote:I'm no expert.

Root bound is not a big problem. But, if it was me, I'd get some scissors or shears and cut away the plastic pot as best I could.

I was able to get the pot off, but the roots were tightly wound around the bottom. They were thick and rubbery so I just decided to plant it like that in a pot.

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:46 pm

cuja1 wrote:
TerdalFarm wrote:I'm no expert.

Root bound is not a big problem. But, if it was me, I'd get some scissors or shears and cut away the plastic pot as best I could.
I was able to get the pot off, but the roots were tightly wound around the bottom. They were thick and rubbery so I just decided to plant it like that in a pot.

I planted it in a bigger pot that is. I plan on planting it in the ground next spring.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:50 pm

Good choice. They (the roots) will figure it out, over a few years. Don't worry.

How big is it? Any palmate leaves yet?

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 2:47 pm

TerdalFarm wrote:Good choice. They (the roots) will figure it out, over a few years. Don't worry.

How big is it? Any palmate leaves yet?

Here's a couple pics of it.

<a href="http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/Sprin ... n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... ndd5jn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo SSPX0070_zpsktndd5jn.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1250.photobucket.com/user/Sprin ... n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... jh0frn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo SSPX0071_zpsdujh0frn.jpg"/></a>

I'm real impressed with this plant. I got it for $20 in Nashville. But it was really hard to find a nursery there that sold hardy palms.

KrisK · Post by **KrisK** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 1:57 am

Nice size minor for $20!
Is it a Monrovia? Funny to see an obscure plant like sabal minor being sold by such a big outfit! Everybody's advice is good, don't try to unwrap the roots. If you break a root it will die all the way back to the rootball. I had the bright idea of separating a triple sabal minor blue pot once. One actually lived, totally wasn't worth it. I've experienced them wanting to rot over winter in a pot - it's because I'm heavy handed with the watering can. I'd plant that bad boy in the spring as soon as your soil temps warm to 60F.

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 8:32 pm

KrisK wrote:Nice size minor for $20!
Is it a Monrovia? Funny to see an obscure plant like sabal minor being sold by such a big outfit! Everybody's advice is good, don't try to unwrap the roots. If you break a root it will die all the way back to the rootball. I had the bright idea of separating a triple sabal minor blue pot once. One actually lived, totally wasn't worth it. I've experienced them wanting to rot over winter in a pot - it's because I'm heavy handed with the watering can. I'd plant that bad boy in the spring as soon as your soil temps warm to 60F.

Are regular Sabal Minors not good with over watering? Is that only when they are in a pot? My Sabal Minor McCurtain seems like it can handle any amount of water I throw at it.

Yes it's a Monrovia. It was originally priced at $40 but I got it for 1/2 off.

Cosmo · Post by **Cosmo** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 2:33 pm

Interesting and somewhat informative about S. Minors in their native TX habitat.

http://dallaspalms.com/native_palm_groves_in_dallas.htm

cuja1 · Post by **cuja1** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 8:31 pm

Cosmo wrote:Interesting and somewhat informative about S. Minors in their native TX habitat.

http://dallaspalms.com/native_palm_groves_in_dallas.htm

Thanks for the info. You'd think Sabal Minors would be used more in Dallas.

KrisK · Post by **KrisK** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 8:25 am

They'll be fine in standing water when in the ground. I've overwatered in pots and killed them.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:10 am

I like Kris' idea to plant it in the Spring. IMO, these are tough palms. I've seen them in habitat here in Oklahoma. Most grow along stream banks where they get flooded a few times per year. But, I've also found wild ones on high, rocky ground.

Yours looks great, and $20 was a super price. Buy a bunch if you see them for that again. I like them as mass plantings. --Erik