has no one tried to do this

Apparently not Laurie. I need to move one too and was hoping for some advice. I've moved heaps of exotic plants, in fact, some have probably spent more time in the wheelbarrow than they have in the ground. I'm not so confident about natives though, as I just don't have the same amount of experience.
I look at is this way, if a plant can't stay where it is you've lost it anyway, so if you move it and it dies, you're not really any worse off. I'm going to wait until my waratah has finished flowering, prune it back and move it on a cool day. I will then keep it moist for a few weeks and give it several applications of seasol.

I've never tried moving waratahs but did try a small grevillea once. It had only been planted for a couple of months but had to be moved because of unexpected earthworks.

The plant didn't survive. Apparently many natives don't like their roots disturbed at all. If you had to move it try and take as much soil with it as you can.

I'm not sure about pruning it back first though. When I learnt about horticulture years ago, we were told to prune back the plant but a few years ago I read somewhere that the latest research shows that plants draw food reserves from the leaves to replace any roots that were lost, so pruning the plant is depriving it of food. I don't know if this has since been found true or not. Someone else may know.

Also some natives can resent pruning. If you want to prune, maybe just a light trimming? Keep it watered but don't overdo it as they don't like sitting in water. If the weather is hot, maybe shade it with temporary shadecloth shelter.

If you move it let us know how the plant goes.

laurie
are they hybrids or t.spec
I have moved one young plant the real problem with telopea is they hate to be stressed full stop.
the one in the pot will go into the ground no worries standard practice applies with that but if you are goin to move them I would make it snappy as they start to delevop whether to flower or continue to grow leaves
I would be looking at preparnig the site where there going to be moved and then dig up around double the area you would normally dig for transplanting as to have minimal root disturbance and then water well for a couple of weeks with dilute seasol
waratahs hate wet feet they prefer water running over the roots then sitting on it so make sure you have free draining soil or they will keel over anyway
good luck
and may the force be with you

Hello Laurie,

Previous advice on this forum has been that Proteaceae species,which include Waratah, Grevillea, Hakea, and Banksia, have sensitive roots that resent disturbance.

I don't think the same problem applies to all other species of native plants. I have successfully transplanted the odd plant - the last one was an Eremophila.

Cheers,
Frank

If you do transplant Proteacea try to minimise root disturbance on the digging out stage, and then immediately give the roots a light all over pruning UNDER WATER - try in a bucket or laundry sink. It is apprently the intake of air into the damaged roots that spell doom for them, and by doing the trimming under water they take up moisture instead and should make it through. I have tried it with pot bound Grevilleas and it has worked for me - could be worth having a crack at the Telopea if you really have to move it.
Good Luck!!

Thank you for all the advice I will have a go wit one It is not doing much where it is . I had a go a coulpe of months ago with a Christmas bush an it has survived Laurie