Potted Washingtonia

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:06 am

Dear friends, would you please advice if these four Washingtonias planted in one pot might be able to be split up theoretically?

Thanks...

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:05 am

I have split up washingtonias before with no problem. Mine were about half that size. I'd wait until your weather warms up and do it in early summer if possible. Gently tease the roots apart as best you can, plant in good well drained potting mixture and place in a shaded spot for several weeks until you see a new spear start to push up then they can be moved to a spot that get 2-4 hours of morning sun before moving to full sun.

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:14 am

Thank you for giving some hope. Should I cut some foliage off?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:30 am

Hi Igor,

I want to do the same thing with my new 7 foot Foxtail, 3 plants in one pot.

Agree with Kent about teasing roots apart but I remember a discussion years ago where a poster had another good idea.

This makes a real mess of the patio but worked for him.
He uses a fairly strong jet of water from a continually running hose.
Lays the plant down on the patio, and just blasts away into the soil in the pot until all the soil washes out, leaving only roots.
Then gently teasing roots apart because there's no soil to hide which plant the roots come from.

Around here, would have to be done around end of August when water coming out of the hose isn't very cold.

Good luck, let us know how it works, Igor.
Beautiful Washies.
Barb

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:16 am

Thank you, Barb! You are saying to the point as usually! I won't be waiting so long time 'cos we never ever have reasonably warm water in the tap (it runs from the mountain stream by the way). So I will mix up cold and warm water for washing Washy

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:43 am

Its a shame to see plants cramed into one pot. Areca palms are natorious to being planted en masse in one pot. Sure, there a suckering plant, I jsut cant see it being to great for the plant. Its even worse when you see plants like washies like that. Barb wasnt there a discussion about separating 2 pygmy date palms on here??

Good luck with it igor, ive never separated plants liek that, but i hear the best thing is to be patient while doing it...

Nice washy BTW..

anttisepp · Post by **anttisepp** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:44 am

I've bought small Livistona rotundifolia last autumn and didn't want to wait until spring. Though I've divided plants accurately, the small one has died. It should be better to replant in growing period when plants grow and much light. Absolutely agree with oppalm. Good luck!

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:17 pm

Good to see you back Antti!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:09 pm

Igor, I don't know anything about cutting foliage off palms when separating a community pot.
I'm sure others here know that answer.

anttisepp made an interesting comment about waiting until it's warm and palms are actively growing.
Yet for trees that go dormant (birch, etc.), that's the right time to root prune.
But palms aren't trees.

Yes there was a discussion somewhere about separating 2 PDP, can't remember author

shame to see plants cramed into one pot

I am secretly pleased when I see that. Three for the price of one (if they all survive).
I've heard it said that Areca palms look best en masse...don't think I've ever seen a mature one by itself.

Good luck with your surviving Livistona, anttisepp.

Igor, we'll look forward to seeing 4 pictures

Barb