Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 7/1/2009

Question
Hello, I have some date palm trees that are from about 12 inches to 3 feet high, growing in a pot. I planted the seeds, taken from dates from a commercial orchard in Yuma, Arizona. When is the best time to transplant them?  

Answer
Walter,

It is best to transplant it now. Spring and summer is the best time to transplant any potted plants. You should never transplant anything in the winter, the roots are not actively growing then and you can easily send the plant into shock. Be careful not to put them in too large of pots. The pot for each should not have a diameter larger than 2/3rds of the diameter of the plant. Then next summer you can move each again to a pot with a diameter 2 inches larger than the one you use this year. Good luck with your palm trees!

Darlene