transplanting large phormium replies

I received several responses to my query of October 3. I will copy them below, as someone today said she had been waiting to see the answers.

			Diane Whitehead
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From New Zealand, the native home of Phormium tenax:

A backhoe will definitely be the answer to this one! Assuming that what you have is Phormium tenax, that grows as an almost-infinite series of "fans" which nest into each other, each having its own set of - quite short - roots.

These things are indestructible, in this country at any rate, and have very tough roots which only extend a short distance around and under the plant but are difficult to dislodge from the ground other than with machinery as you suggest.

Many years ago, We were asked to remove a large old P. tenax from somebody's garden and we took a small crew of our own boys (then in their teens), one or two additional friends, pickaxes, crowbars, forks and shovels - and an axe. Plus a trailer to put the fans in as we dislodged them.

It was one the hardest physical day's work I think any of us has experienced! We got the plant out - as a series of separate fans - and these got planted along the edges of my glider club's new airstrip that the club was building at the time. They all "took".

Tony
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Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.

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From Berkeley, California, U.S.A.

Phormiums (for me) generally transplant well, though they can sulk a bit afterwards and take some time to 'bulk up' (depending upon size and variety). The main problem is that their roots are a dense, extensive, fibrous mass that is difficult to deal with. Digging them out by hand is tough - a back hoe is very helpful. Often, a clump will naturally separate into more than one section, which can be planted individually. Sounds like these are the larger, upright forms that were the only ones available a decade ago. I think they should transplant ok, and perhaps now is the best time (if you still have some mild weather ahead of you up there). Over this winter, it might be best to provide some sort of at least minimal frost protection if the weather threatens.

Good luck!
Seán O.
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From Victoria, B.C., Canada 

  From my experince so far, Phormiums come up with a quite short root
system, not enough to support the foliage. Seem to need to be cut back then
take some time to grow new whole blades

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From Victoria, B.C., Canada 

I have moved them too. Quite large ones out at Russell Nursery.
 They are actually not too bad, shallow roots
and they are tough! Since the pieces can be split off it is not all that
important that you get a root ball unless you wish to replant it intact.
They can be handled pretty roughly, not much way around that actually but
many hands make easier work! The fans can be potted up singularly or in
bunches. The leaves should be cut down quite hard. They recover surprisingly
quickly and could be sold the following year. The best time is early spring.

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