Trachycarpus takil - S

About the Trachycarpus takil - S

Trachycarpus takil, also known as the Kumaon palm, is an evergreen, solitary fan palm with a sturdy, fibrous trunk and an open crown of large, fan-shaped leaves. Mature leaves are green on the upper surface, silvery on the underside and divided into numerous narrow segments. A size S specimen may not yet have reached its eventual leaf size, and the characteristic leaf division and pale underside may still be less pronounced; these features generally become clearer as the palm develops further. The commercial size does not indicate its current age or stage of development.

Characteristics

Origin: Trachycarpus takil is native to the western and central Himalaya, with known habitats in the Kumaon region of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and in Nepal. The species grows in a temperate mountain climate, including cool, moist oak forests at an elevation of approximately 1,800 to 2,700 metres. Winter frost and snow occur in these high-altitude habitats.

Family: This species belongs to the palm family, Arecaceae.

Position: Choose a sunny to lightly shaded, sheltered outdoor position. Protect the palm from strong or cold, drying winds. Gradually acclimatise a size S specimen to direct sunlight and avoid an exposed position during its first winters. Growing it in a pot is practical while the plant is small; planting it in the ground is best done in spring, in a position with fertile soil and excellent drainage.

Height: A mature Trachycarpus takil can reach approximately 8 to 12 metres in height and 1.5 to 2.5 metres in width. The species normally forms a single trunk. These mature dimensions describe the species and not the current size of the offered size S specimen.

Flowering period: Mature specimens can produce inflorescences, but no reliable, fixed flowering period has been established for cultivation in the Netherlands. Flowering of the offered specimen in size S is not guaranteed.

Flower colour: The small flowers are borne in large, branched yellow-brown inflorescences.

Hardiness: Established specimens are hardy, but young plants are more sensitive to severe or prolonged frost. Protect a size S plant during severe frost and from cold, drying winds and prolonged winter wet. In a pot, the root ball cools more quickly; during heavy frost, temporarily move the pot to an unheated, bright and frost-free space, and always allow excess water to drain away properly.

Soil type: Use fertile, open-textured and very well-drained soil or, for container cultivation, a growing medium with the same properties. Mix high-quality palm compost or loose garden soil with coarse sand, fine lava granules, grit or pumice. The species tolerates calcareous, neutral and slightly acidic soils. Avoid heavy, compacted soil and standing water around the roots.

Care

Light: Give the palm plenty of light. Full sun to light partial shade is suitable, but gradually acclimatise a young specimen or a plant that has overwintered under cover to strong sunlight to prevent leaf damage.

Water: During active growth, water as soon as the upper layer of the substrate has dried. Keep the root ball evenly moist and allow excess water to drain away completely. An established specimen in the ground tolerates temporary drought, but do not allow a size S plant to dry out completely for an extended period. Give less water in winter.

Fertiliser: In spring and early summer, apply a suitable palm fertiliser in moderation according to the directions on the packaging. Do not fertilise when growth has almost come to a standstill during the cold period.

Pruning: Remove only fully dead leaves and cut them off close to the trunk without damaging the trunk, green leaves or central growing point. Leave partially green leaves in place for as long as they continue to support growth. Do not pull attached old leaf bases or fibres from the trunk.

Repotting: Preferably repot in spring when the roots have largely filled the pot. Choose a stable, slightly larger and sufficiently deep pot with ample drainage holes. Handle the roots carefully and do not plant the palm deeper than before.

Humidity: Average humidity is suitable. Outdoors, an airy position is particularly important. During sheltered overwintering, provide sufficient ventilation and do not keep the palm in a warm, dark or poorly ventilated space for an extended period.

Special features: Trachycarpus takil has historically often been confused with forms of Trachycarpus fortunei. Mature specimens are characterised by features including large fan-shaped leaves, silvery leaf undersides, a relatively open crown and fibres that lie closely against the trunk. In a size S plant, these distinguishing features may not yet all be fully visible. The species has a complex reproductive system: male and female flowers usually occur on separate specimens, but bisexual flowers and changes in sex expression have also been observed in this species. Dark fruits may develop following pollination; the sex of the offered specimen and future flowering or fruiting are not guaranteed. Ripe seeds are eaten locally in the species’ natural range, but only use cultivated plant material for consumption when its identity and growing history have been reliably established and its suitability for consumption has been demonstrated.