Image – Wikimedia/Vera Buhl
The Trachycarpus fortunei It is one of the most cold-hardy species of palms, and it also tolerates heat well., which is why it is grown both in tropical and subtropical gardens and in temperate gardens. Although its growth rate is slower than that of the Chamaerops humilisa palm that looks a lot like our protagonist when the stems are removed, keeping it with just one, is much more hardy.
It is therefore undoubtedly a plant of great interest to grow in areas where, for example, temperatures drop below zero degrees, and/or in those where there is little space. But, what are the treatments Trachycarpus fortunei?
Contents
Pot or soil?
Image – Wikimedia/Manfred Werner – Tsui
The Trachycarpus fortuneiknown as the raised saw palmetto, is a palm with a single stem (or false trunk) usually covered with fibers (I say “usually” because in warm regions it is not uncommon to find specimens without because gardeners remove them). These fibers help protect you from cold and frost, so if temperatures drop below freezing in your area, you shouldn’t take them off.
Moreover, we are talking about a plant it doesn’t take up much space, since although it can measure 10 or 12 meters high, its stem or false trunk is relatively thin: it can measure about 30 to 40 centimeters thick. For all these reasons, one can wonder whether or not it is possible to keep it in a pot throughout its life, or whether it is better to plant it in the ground. And the answer is that it will depend more on us than on the plant itself.
And it’s only the raised palm it adapts very well to life in the garden, but also in pots. What happens is that if we choose to have it in a container, we have to plant it in a bigger container every few years, 3 or 4, or it would stop growing and weaken. When our specimen is more or less 1 or 2 meters high, we can plant it in the final pot, which must be about 80cm in diameter (better if they are 100cm) for more or less the same height. As a substrate we will put a specific one for green plants that you can buy here.
Sun or shade?
The raised saw palmetto is a palm that we must put in a place exposed to the sun. It is very, very important that it is not in the shade if we want it to grow well, with strength and health. The leaves need to be exposed to direct light from the royal star to perform normal vital functions, such as respiration or photosynthesis.
For this reason, it’s not a very good idea to have it inside the house, because in these conditions you do not always have all the light you need and, therefore, this is where your health can weaken. Also keep in mind that it resists frost well, so it is not necessary to grow it indoors.
When should it be watered?
Image – Wikimedia/Emcc83
Although it tolerates frost and snow very well, it does not like drought too much. For it, we have to water our Trachycarpus fortunei several times a week throughout the summer so as not to become dehydrated. And the rest of the year, as the soil stays moist longer, we will do it once a week, or twice if the soil seems dry.
We will use rainwater whenever possible, otherwise bottled or tap water suitable for consumption will be used. Of course, if we have it in a pot, it is important not to put a plate under it, because if we do, the water that does not filter will remain stagnant in the plate, and if we do not don’t remove, the roots would drown.
Do you have to pay the Trachycarpus fortunei?
One of the cares that we must provide to the Trachycarpus fortunei is the subscriber. East will be in spring and summer, whether in pots or planted in the garden. For this, we will use fertilizers specific to palm trees like this one, and following the instructions for use so as not to run the risk of overdose.
In this way we will ensure that it grows at a good pace and remains beautiful.
What pests can you have?
Image – Flickr/Katja Schulz
It is very resistant, but unfortunately it is one of the potential victims of two pests which, if not treated in time, can end their life in a few weeks: the red weevil and the peasantry. Both in the adult state are not dangerous, but when they are larvae they cause very serious damage to palm trees, such as: galleries in the false trunk, leaves that open with holes, leaf fall, center leaf deviation, even you can flower it early to have a chance to set seed.
To avoid this, I recommend doing the following:
- Never prune palm trees. And if necessary, only remove completely dry leaves in the fall, when the weather begins to cool. If you do it in spring-summer, there is a risk that these pests will damage our plant, because the smell of pruning wounds attracts them.
- When they are young, pour water on them at sunset, when the sun no longer gives them once a week. Thus, if they have larvae, they will drown.
- Carry out preventive treatments in spring and summer with insecticides that kill red palm weevil and paysandisia, such as chlorpyrifos and imidicaloprid.
What is its resistance to cold?
The raised heart of palm is very resistant to frost and snowfall. Withstands temperatures up to 15°C below freezing (-15ºC) as long as the frosts are of short duration. Now, with such low values, it can be expected to lose some or most of its leaves, but it will recover in the spring. If we don’t want that to happen to her, we can cover her crown of leaves with an anti-frost cloth that you can get here.
Do you have any Trachycarpus fortunei? We hope now you can make it more beautiful.