I have two grasstrees, which I think are X. glauca. I was told that they are a form that comes from the Kingaroy (Qld) area. They are certified as being legally harvested.
I bought them about four years from a nursery, when they had a small, vertical crop of new fronds on the top. Within a year, they had a magnificent head of blue-grey foliage. The trunks are respectively 60 cm and 45 cm high.
When I planted them, I had no idea that this species has such a wide spread of fronds. The foliage of each is growing into the other – not as attractive as they would be if I had known what I was doing and had planted them further apart.
I’d like to move the 45 cm one, for two reasons: for the sake of their current appearance, but more importantly to have one in a pot when I move house sometime in the future. Buying a replacement is very expensive.
I have a pot that is about 60 cm high and 60 cm in diameter, and relocating the plant is a matter of digging it out and placing it straight away into its new home. I intend to use a potting mix consisting of native plant medium, with some ash mixed in to ensure good drainage. I’ve read up on the replanting side of things, and will apply the good advice offered - especially ensuring that air pockets are removed by using a hose.
I know that transplanting grass trees is often unsuccessful, so I need to ensure that the removal (digging-out) phase is done in the best way for the sake of the root system. However, I can’t find anything on the internet about this procedure – probably because no-one wants to give advice about how to successfully remove protected plants from the wild.
As the plants were in 30 cm pots when I bought them, it seems that trying to get the whole root ball isn’t required – and wouldn’t be possible anyway. In order to get a manageable lump of root system and soil and to be able to lift this into the pot raises this question for me: should I cut down, say, 10 cm from the trunk and to a depth of, say, 30 cm; or should I attempt to remove a larger ball of root and soil, roll it over, and remove (say, by hosing) some soil while preserving as much root material as possible?
Maybe I’m on the wrong track anyway. Does anyone with experience have any suggestions for me – other than to leave it in the ground!
Thanks.
Les
