If the plant has a fibrous root system, try cutting off the bottom 1/3 of the roots, then cutting pie slice wedges out of the remaining root mass, such that it enables you to change all the old soil over 2-3 repottings instead of at 1 sitting. I keep hearing how palms are so sensitive to root disturbance, but so are they sensitive to root congestion and soil compaction - as are all plants. There is no question they wouldn't gain vitality from a reduction in the adverse conditions. My first thought is that if some of the growers who repeat the mantra that their (palms) roots react poorly to being tampered with actually were familiar with proper root pruning techniques, the more forward thinking growers would be able to throw off the limitations imposed by letting nature nature take it's course, instead of actually managing the root system so it can function closer to how it would with in situ plants. I wish I had some MI volunteers who would let me work on their palms, so I could be sure, instead of just quite sure. Hmmmm - I just had an idea. I think I'll talk to some friends at Dow Gardens and see if they want some help repotting what I'm sure are some really root-bound palms. Al

The whole idea of repotting the palm was to: 1. give it more pot room, 26 gallon pot moving to a 45 gallon box, and 2. the top of the base of the tree is about 8 or so inches above the pot it currently is in. I wanted to lower the tree so that it would be more stable in the new box. It has basicly grown roots over the years which has pushed the palm upward leaving the top roots dead looking. I am not sure what all is in the pot. As far as moving this thing around, I plan to tip it over, side the old pot off, trim any dead looking roots, and put in new plant box, cover with dirt and bingo....done. Since no one else seems to know much about queens around here, I guess I will just have to see what happens. lol Thanks

@Jermey, I suspect not. While the top that broke off grew to good size, it came no where near the productivity and size of other undamaged starts. I think the only reason it did OK was it was already a couple feet tall whe I stuffed it in the ground.

Well…it’s done, but it was a huge ordeal. In my yard, there is about 8 inches to a foot of topsoil, and solid dense clay under that, that is also full of rocks. It’s why I have difficulty planting anything large. I had told him that in advance, but it was not something he had dealt with before (this was friend doing the work, like a trade; I will help him install a non-standard door later). The auger was useless after a foot. I have a post hole digger too, that was no better. The clay had to be chipped out bit by bit, and larger rocks pried out til the depth got to the 2 feet he wanted. So instead of 2 deep narrow holes, we had 2 cone-shaped holes, maybe 16" in diameter. We moved the big hibiscus, and some lilies, and I had put stakes marking other plants to protect them. But that plan went by the wayside quickly, as digging those holes seemed to require more and more room. I was supposed to be just an observer, due to my knee surgery. But I and another friend ended up helping too, which flattened the area even more. I should have removed all the plants within a 3 foot radius of each hole! We got the posts level, mixed and poured in the concrete. Then the position of the posts had to be endlessly tweaked, which took 3 of us. I wanted to “hide” the square posts behind 2 of the outermost uprights. The plan was to let the posts set while we had lunch (it was then 3:30, and we had started at 12:30). But we decided to place the gate immediately, while we could still move the posts slightly. Which turned out to be a good thing. Again, more tweaking of angles and leveling. Had to shim one end with bricks, as (you might be able to see in the above photo) the pointed ends at the bottom are different lengths. Got it clamped on with 2 thick U bolts at the bottom and muffler clamps at the top. I will paint those soon. Tomorrow I will have to clear out stray gravel and clay pieces from around it, which will be challenging considering I can’t kneel on my right knee. I will come up with a new place for the hibiscus, which I put into a large pot temporarily. I have a non-performing Endless Summer hydrangea at the sunnier end of the bed, which never grows more than a 16” tall (and doesn’t bloom). I think I’ll put the hibiscus there, where it won’t block the view of the gate. The thing I am worried about now is how compacted the soil became. I don’t know what to do about that, if anything is possible. The plants that had not yet emerged might not be able to get through. The ones that were emerging in that 3 foot radius are largely smashed. Some tall salvias, liatris. Lots of crushed irises. I think I will fork those out and move them. I don’t know if it would be advisable to try to stick pitchfork in and loosen the soil in general. And/or just add some bagged topsoil on top of everything, and call it a day. Buy some new plants. ;) I know I will like the results in the end, once things start growing around it.