Digging up sub-tropicals? (forum)

amanda starts with ...
Hi all - I was wondering when the best time to dig up my TROPICAL plants would be? We plan on moving and I want to take some of my plants with me (jaboticaba, wampee, longon, rollinia, grumichama etc)
I am going to keep them in big pots for a bit. The are not very big now - and the jaboticabas 3 or 4yrs old - can't bear to part with them now!! (only 5yrs to go heh heh!)

Time: 9th February 2010 7:52pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Diana says...
Hi Amanda,

I think digging them up well before you move and establishing them in bonsai bags or pots until they are ready to be re-planted is a good idea.

I tried this with some one-year-old subtropical plants (passionfruit, subtropical peach, macadamia, panama berry, finger lime, pepino) in February a couple of years ago. They all thrived except the panama berry (which got wet feet in the new spot). Doing this during an extended period of overcast, preferably drizzly weather and avoiding hot windy days might be more important to avoid excessive shock than the exact time of year??

Good luck,

Diana.

Time: 10th February 2010 9:57am

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amanda says...
Thanks Diana! I was a bit concerned that winter might not be a good time to shock them too much - they a bit different to deciduous trees in this regard?

Would you believe that I can't even buy tree bags/sacks in Geraldton!!? Are the the same thing as bonsai bags?

Time: 10th February 2010 1:46pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Diana says...
Hi Amanda- yes they are the same type of bags for growing trees with air-pruning perforations. I got some from Daleys (probably not the cheapest way from WA, there must be somewhere closer).

Diana.

Time: 10th February 2010 6:03pm

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Julie says...
Diana,I actually found Daleys a bit cheaper than the original suppliers for bonsai bags. (I bought my first bags from New Zealand, where they are made). Maybe because they bought in bulk? I doubt if they are available elsewhere.

I originally sent the article 'Trees in Bags' to Daleys, who then decided to buy the bags.

But normal tree bags are not the same. They are usually green or black plastic-type material with handles, a bit like the green shopping bags, from 10 litres upwards. I haven't seen them for sale in nurseries, so I get them from Richgro in Jandakot, near Canning Vale.

Maybe get in touch with them amanda. They also have the cheaper black plastic bags with no handles, which don't last as long.



Time: 10th February 2010 6:27pm

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amanda says...
Thanks Julie - I like the one's with the handles - makes life easy n no hiding spots for the redbacks! I use a stanly knife to get them out - much less damage to the roots too. I only want to "store" them until I can re-plant.
Thanks for the supplier!

Time: 11th February 2010 8:11pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Kath says...
So you've REALLY had enough of the wind Amanda! Where did you decide to move to? Good luck with it.

Time: 11th February 2010 10:11pm

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About the Author KathK
Karnup W.A.
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Mish says...
Hi amanda
I researched transplanting trees a while ago as I wanted to move my orange twists and thought this method would be less stressfull for the tree.

Make a circle outline around the tree to the diameter of the pot/bag your putting them into. Then make another circle about a shovel head wider than the first circle (this is the digging zone}. Next divide the digging zone into into six parts and dig out every second section so you are cutting the roots and detatching the tree from that section of dirt. Apply good fertaliser and seaweed solution regularly for 8 weeks. After the tree has recovered dig out the remaining sections and repeat feeding for a further 8 weeks then remove.

I didn't end up moving mine as my partner nearly had a heart attack... he's adverse to change.

Time: 12th February 2010 2:18am

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About the Author Mish
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Diana says...
Hi Amanda and Julie,

The bonsai bags do have handles. The cheaper, more local bags sound fine for temporary holding of plants (not long enough for them to get pot bound). That does sound like a good way to do it if you have time to plan, Mish.

Diana.

Time: 12th February 2010 2:10pm

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About the Author Diana
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amanda says...
Great tip Mish - I have lots of time! Thanks everyone. Busselton area Kath! (and I will make sure: no bogs!, no salt, sheltered, no frost, underground water and soil testing mandatory!)

Time: 12th February 2010 9:31pm

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About the Author amanda19
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