Repotting/planting out a yukka

[wolshouse]

I inherited a small yukka some years ago. It is in the garden in a pot and I want to take it out and put it in the earth (well away from where the grandchildren play). It manages to prick me whenever I am anywhere near it, let alone when I am removing old leaves. How do I handle it without getting any of the very sharp leaf ends piercing me? They have pricked me through clothes before now. I do wear spectacles, so that is a help, but I wonder how any gardeners reading this would tackle it. Thanks for any help.

[Waaii]

I have done this with quite a big Yukka that split it's pot!
I tied it up with newspaper and a cloth for padding and a string around the lot to pull the leaves in together while still in the pot and then tipped it out into the ready prepared hole. This is based on the idea of folding a thick paper into a strip to put around and provide a handle when moving cacti. My Yukka has not flowered since but this may be coincidence!

[wolshouse]

Thank you Waaii. I'll give it a go. Mine has never flowered anyway - you never know, moving it might be just what is needs!

[rabbitygirl]

Reminds me of my yukka. I bought one about 12" high from garden centre but it soon started to rot at soil height. I snapped it off and stuck in some water. Eventually it rooted and I planted it out. The other one sprouted and it too was planted out. One or the other (cant remember which) grew like mad and flowered every year (the 1st year spectacularly). Have moved now so wont see 2nd doing so but one day I'm sure it will. Yes they hurt - settle it in and admire from a distance!

[wolshouse]

Have replanted it today. Tied up all the leaves with little or no trouble, carried the pot to the hole I had dug and then had to get the plant out of the pot. It wan't too difficult but the string came off and all the leaves splayed out again. Never-the-less I got it into the hole, shovelled the soil in around it and it looks quite happy. We shall see! Thanks for comments.
Just one other comment for interest: I have a New Zealand Flax which flowers every other year. We came to this house in 2000 and it was flowering then and did so in 2202,2004,2006 as expected. However, it is in bud again this year. What has happened? A gardener told me he thought the plant was expecting a drought and that's why it has flowered again. Any thoughts?