We have harvested all the Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei), and Waggie Palm (Trachycarpus Wagnerianus) seeds from mature, local trees that have withstood the winters over the past two decades.  The trees that have been chosen were the best examples that we could find in Richmond, Vancouver, and Victoria, B.C.  We have used these fresh seeds to produce top-quality seedlings that are acclimatized to the local environment.  These seedlings have been grown in a shady location and should be kept in a shady location while they acclimate to their new location; exposure to full sunlight should be done gradually.

Other varieties of Trachycarpus Palms were grown from seeds imported from other areas: T. Takil seeds were imported from England, and T. Fortunei “Bulgaria” were imported from Plodiv, Bulgaria.

The Trachycarpus family of Palms are easy to grow and the following growing instructions are also appropriate for other temperate palms that we sell.

Transplanting:

These seedlings are ready for transplanting, and can be potted individually into 4” pots, or can be potted communally into larger pots.  A 1-gallon pot can accommodate 5-7 seedlings and a 2-gallon pot can accommodate 10-12 seedlings.  After one year the seedlings can be potted into individual 1-gallon pots.

Good quality soil will provide faster growing and healthier seedlings.  A good quality soil, such as Miracle-Gro potting soil will give the seedlings a good start.

The one-year old plants can stay in the 1-gallon pots for two-years until being potted up to the 2-gallon size or planted directly into the ground.

The potted plants are not as cold-hardy as plants that are in the ground, as the roots are more susceptible to freezing.  The potted palms should be either kept in an area that will not freeze, such as beside the house, in a garage or basement near a window, or the pot should be protected with bubble-wrap or similar insulation.  During the first year, the seedlings can be kept as house plants.

Fertilizing:

The palms should be fertilized in the growing season with a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Plus 15-9-12.  In the Pacific Northwest, the slow-release fertilizer is applied March 21, June 15, and August 15.  Avoid fertilizing after August.  

Watering:

The growing medium should be moist, but not wet, and the surface should be allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings.  

Growth Rate:

Palms start relatively slowly, and the rate of growth increases with the size of the plant.  Palms grow faster in the ground than in a pot.  Once established, a mature Trachycarpus Palm can grow one foot, or more, per year.

Other questions about palms and tropicals? See our other articles on the site. Visit http://www.cherrypointpalms.ca for more.

Happy palm growing!

Cherry Point Palms & Nursery
Steven Read
Steven@cherrypointpalms.ca
604-831-7323

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