Thanks, I put it in the ground in November. There are a handful of robuastas around here that survive wthout any winter protection, but usually look pretty ratty or completley de-foliated depending on how low the temps go. I placed it in the most protected spot I could that still has full sun. Sadly, this spot is also the most hellaciously clayey place in my whole yard. I got sick of lugging it around the patio and figured I would give it a shot it the ground. I'm hoping it won't be too angry about the lack of drainage, since I have seen pics of them growing in (or very close to) standing water. Maybe this year I will see some of the "fast" growth they are known for.

I think the confusion is in that root pruning can mean different things to different people. What they are telling you is that if you are digging the plant up from being field grown, you can damage too many roots by just digging it up all at once. When people with field growing operations want to minimize the stress, you cut some of the roots and then a couple of months later, after those roots have heeled in a little, you cut a few more roots. By the third time, you dig it up and only a third of the roots are freshly cut during the actual move. This plant was in a pot and you already cut some of the roots that were going in the ground. That is all the root cutting you need to do. It is possible, depending on how many roots that was, that even that can stress your plant. If I was doing this, I'd cut some leaves. All plants have bottoms and tops and there is a ratio between the two that create the balance as it was growing. The more roots you cut, the more leaves you should remove. That is something only you know the answer to. I'd cut a few of the good leaves myself, just to make sure. they can grow back in time. As it is, after it is planted, if you see more leaves turning brown, you will know you should have cut a few more off. The plant will show you in advance what the balance is.

Paul, I can't seem to get a pot big enough anywhere. I bought one at home depot yesterday and it is just a little to small. I got the palm in the garage with the root ball wrapped in plastic and i put some water on the roots to keep it moist. The temp in the garage is at 60 with high humidity. Tomorrow i am going to try this nursery over here called sids and see if they got somthing that will work. As far as that goes the palm looks great! I sprayed the leaves with wiltproof to protect it from moisture loss and to help with the transplant shock...once i get it into a pot LOL. I will keep everyone updated.

Gary, thanks so much for all that info. This is my third year here. Now and I am a bit wiser by experience. I do need to study up on the florida weather zones. I live between Lakeland and Winterhaven in a little town called Auburndale. I was advised to let them get a little age on them before planting them into the ground, which is my primary intention. My very friendly grower/ dealer suggested that palms are tender until established and would even benefit from partial shade until they have a years growth out of the greenhouse, as in a pot. I find asking AND following the advise of the wiser is the only way to go. Hmm now I have to admit I am somewhat confused as to wether I should put them in the shed or not. Other then the warmth of our mobile they have no protection. The mobiles don't have overhangs or gutters. I have lost 2 coconut palms one during each of the first two years I was here. The first one I left in a pot and the second one went into the grown. Both died. Now onto the living palms. Someone mentioned something about the rainy season causing them to get to much water. OK maybe my concerns are a bit on the side of overkill. Like i said Last year I lost 19 seedling palms. I bought 3 or 4 each month at approx 5 bucks a piece plus shipping and handling, any way I lost between $150 and $200 and that was last year.. This year I bought less often and smaller quanities and ALL were listed cold hardy. I just dont want to loose it all. I am also guessing that I should NOT fertilize till spring.