hi, hope someone can help

we have a NZ Flax the size of Birmingham in our garden, and we would
like to move it to a better location as it is really in the way. We
really like the plant, and dont want to lose it when we move it. What
would be the best way to do it? Also the flower stalk must be 10ft
tall, we know it flowers in summer, but should we cut it down after it
has flowered or should it die down naturally? We have been in this
house since September and it hasnt died down yet.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks


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cambsgirl

Post removed (X-No-Archive: yes)

cambsgirl Wrote:
> hi, hope someone can help
>
> we have a NZ Flax the size of Birmingham in our garden, and we would
> like to move it to a better location as it is really in the way. We
> really like the plant, and dont want to lose it when we move it. What
> would be the best way to do it? Also the flower stalk must be 10ft
> tall, we know it flowers in summer, but should we cut it down after it
> has flowered or should it die down naturally? We have been in this
> house since September and it hasnt died down yet.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

Hi
Flax (Phormium tenax) is particularly hardy, which makes for ease of
propogation and should not be difficult to move. If you desire to move
it maybe its best to think about dividing it up. Cut back hard the
older foliage, trying to leave the newer, softer growing leaves in the
centre of each 'Fan' of lleaves., then with spades and forks and much
muscle, separate out the 'Fans" or offshoots at the base, keeping a bit
of the fibrous roots attached to the offshoots. If you seperate out the
offshoots you could have many plants, to give to your friends or to
plant in other parts of your property.
Just dig a hole for planting large enough for the offshoots and its
roots. You can put more than one offshoot in per hole.
The plant you describe is what they look like growing here in the North
of New Zealand. There should be smaller versions available. Phormium
cookianum or mountain flax is smaller. We sometimes cut the spent seed
heads off at the base and bring it inside the house as a dried
arrangement, with other flowers etc...
a few links and photos from here
www.bushmansfriend.co.nz
Tony Foster


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bushman

cambsgirl Wrote:
> hi, hope someone can help
>
> we have a NZ Flax the size of Birmingham in our garden

I think you mean it is the size of Palmerston North. It wouldn't
flower if it was any smaller.


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echinosum

bushman Wrote:
> Hi
> Flax (Phormium tenax) is particularly hardy, which makes for ease of
> propogation and should not be difficult to move. If you desire to move
> it maybe its best to think about dividing it up. Cut back hard the
> older foliage, trying to leave the newer, softer growing leaves in the
> centre of each 'Fan' of lleaves., then with spades and forks and much
> muscle, separate out the 'Fans" or offshoots at the base, keeping a bit
> of the fibrous roots attached to the offshoots. If you seperate out the
> offshoots you could have many plants, to give to your friends or to
> plant in other parts of your property.
> Just dig a hole for planting large enough for the offshoots and its
> roots. You can put more than one offshoot in per hole.
> The plant you describe is what they look like growing here in the North
> of New Zealand. There should be smaller versions available. Phormium
> cookianum or mountain flax is smaller. We sometimes cut the spent seed
> heads off at the base and bring it inside the house as a dried
> arrangement, with other flowers etc...
> a few links and photos from here
> www.bushmansfriend.co.nz
> Tony Foster

and photos and general advice on New zealand Flax Phormium from here
http://tinyurl.com/quvj4


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bushman