Hi Tom. I Just got some Y. Rostrada today (5 gallon) and it got dark before I can put it in the ground. I don't have your dilemma; I am in Az. I feel your need to put it in the ground. These mature plants are absolutey stunning when they reached 6 feet or taller. I have an idea for you. Plant it near a south wall of your house. This should receive the most sun exposure during the winter month and your brick wall should radiate some heat to protect it. You can always erect some temporary shelter and cover it if needed. Good luck.

I have not transplanted a yucca that has grown in place from seed; container grown specimens transplant beautifully even many years later. Recurvifolia doesn't even need roots, it will regenerate new ones. I have not worked with elata. My advice is to wait until mid-spring. Of course you'll want to have your holes dug before digging the elatas. In my opinion, if you have to cut the taproot, the yucca is going to be set back no matter what you do. A bunch of water is just asking for rot IMHO. I would not water until it had been very hot and dry for several weeks. Then soak it well and don't water again until it totally dries out again. Maybe 5 deep soakings over the course of the summer. No more after August. I believe I read that skinny leaved Yuccas are apt to die back if transplanted but they should quickly recover next summer because by then they will have a good root system. Of course I live in the Mississippi River valley. It is very humid, rains a lot and the soil is heavy. And admitedly I have not worked with elata.

Tim, My recurvifolia has bent under snow load. I have some of the trunks tied to a stake. Most years the very oldest leaves get sad looking and need to be removed, but it really grows a lot of nice, healthy leaves very quickly. It blooms well but I've never gotten any seeds. I have made two nice plants from pups though.

Jannym, I would like some seeds too please. I found this site asking how long seeds would take to germinate. The closes answer seems to be not long. I had never seen a yucca seed pod until a few days ago. I probably never looked. I was in rural North Carolina and picked 3 pods off a 10 to 11 foot yucca with nasty points. It was the second I had seen in the area with long trunks from being very old I assumed. All the other yuccas I have seen on the East Coast have been based at ground level without trunks. I have had some great salads with the petals. I have extra seeds, if you are interested. I would be glad to share and receive more variety's. I will split the pods and dry them in a paper bag on the garage wall until April, then plant some. tbakewright@aol.com