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  • From: "Rich Pomerantz" <rich@richpomerantz.com>
  • To: <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [gwl-g] moving miscanthus
  • Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 18:26:14 -0400

< Before you dig it out, would you PLEASE take a picture of it being
pulled by your car? I could use that in my Maintaining Perennial
Gardens class when we get to the section on transplanting!>

Very funny Ellen!! That would be a great image wouldn't it? I'll put it all
back together & do a shot - maybe I can wring a little stock income out of
this @#&*#@^%&# thing before all is said and done.....

<But seriously, how far down did you get with your trench? >

About 18 inches - I guess need to go further. Nan's suggestion to soften
the earth by soaking it is an excellent one. Thanks Nan - I know it's
simple, but sometimes the obvious stuff is what we forget.

< How long has it been in that spot?>

five or six years.

< How much do you care about saving the plant?>

I'd like to have it for another spot. It's not the end of the world if it
perishes, but I would like to keep it, actually I have plans for it in two
places, hence my wish to divide it.

I know early spring is when this should be done. I have been thinking about
it and planning to do it since early spring, doesn't that count?

> Having you tried using a saw to cut the roots into pieces before you start
pulling?>

No - I wasn't sure if that would do any permanent damage. If I hack up the
roots, will the plant survive? And will the roots that get left behind grow
into a new plant in the same spot?

> Division is accomplished with a sharp ax...I am NOT kidding. Nothing else
will do the trick.>

It will be my pleasure!!!!

> Considering where you are in the moving process, I would suggest a
> sharp hand ax or mattock...enlarge your excavation enough so that you
> can get enough of a swing with your tool to hack at the roots on the
> underside of the root ball until you get them severed enough to lever
> the ball out of the excavation. You have to sever all the roots or
> you're not gonna move this child. You will also need secateurs at
> hand to take care of that one root that won't succumb to the hacking.>

I guess I'll have to go at it with more force. It's in the middle of a very
nice perennial bed that I would rather not disturb too much, but it looks
like I may have to.

What the heck are "secateurs"? The word is not in my dictionary.

Thanks everyone!!

Rich Pomerantz
rich@richpomerantz.com
www.richpomerantz.com
(860)355-3356






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