Trachycarpus wagnerianus 3 plants/pot - S

About the Trachycarpus wagnerianus 3 plants/pot - S

Trachycarpus wagnerianus, commonly known as the Wagner Palm, is a slow-growing evergreen fan palm noted for its compact, stiff and dark green leaves. Its sturdy foliage is less susceptible to wind damage than that of many other fan palms. This product consists of three individual palms grown together in one pot, creating a fuller and richer appearance from the start. Each plant retains its own growing point and can eventually develop an individual trunk covered with fibres. Commercial size S and the arrangement of three plants per pot do not establish the age, trunk development or flowering maturity of the plants.

Characteristics

Origin: Trachycarpus wagnerianus is not known with certainty from a wild population and is generally regarded as a cultivated form selected in Japan. Botanically, the name is often treated as a synonym of Trachycarpus fortunei, a species native from south-central China to northern Myanmar. Trachycarpus wagnerianus remains widely used in the international plant trade for the more compact form with smaller and stiffer leaves.

Family: Arecaceae, the palm family.

Position: Suitable for a sunny to lightly shaded outdoor position. The palms can be grown in a large container or planted in the ground in a freely draining location. The sturdy foliage tolerates wind relatively well, although a sheltered position protects young plants from cold and drying winter winds.

Height: Each individual palm can eventually reach approximately 4 to 8 metres in height and 1.5 to 2.5 metres in spread under suitable conditions. Growth is slow and generally remains more restricted in a container. The three plants remain separate palms and do not merge into one naturally multi-stemmed specimen.

Flowering period: Mature plants can generally flower in May and June under suitable conditions. The supplied plants in size S are not necessarily mature enough to flower.

Flower colour: Mature plants can develop branched inflorescences bearing small, pale yellow flowers.

Hardiness: Well-established mature plants can tolerate temperatures of approximately -15 to -10 °C in sheltered, freely draining conditions. Plants in size S and container-grown specimens are more vulnerable because the root ball can freeze completely more quickly. Protect size S when temperatures below -5 °C are expected and prevent prolonged frost around the roots.

Soil type: Use fertile, airy and freely draining soil. A good-quality potting mix combined with coarse sand, lava grit or a similar drainage material is suitable. The soil may retain some moisture, but excess water must drain away quickly.

Care

Light: Position the palms in full sun or light partial shade. Gradually acclimatise plants coming from a greenhouse or sheltered environment to strong direct sunlight to prevent leaf scorch.

Water: Water regularly and moderately during the growing season. Allow the upper soil layer to dry slightly between waterings and ensure that excess water can drain completely from the pot. Because three plants share the same container and root space, the soil may dry out more quickly during warm and sunny weather. Check the moisture level regularly. Reduce watering in winter, but do not allow the root ball to remain completely dry for a prolonged period.

Fertiliser: Apply a modest amount of suitable palm or evergreen container-plant fertiliser once in spring and once at the beginning of summer. Follow the recommended dosage on the product label. Do not fertilise during autumn and winter when growth has almost stopped.

Pruning: Pruning is unnecessary. Remove only completely dead or severely damaged leaves, cutting them close to the corresponding trunk without damaging healthy trunk tissue. Each plant has its own central growing point. Never damage or remove this growing point, because the affected palm cannot resume growth from the top.

Repotting: Repot preferably in spring when the container is fully rooted or when the proportion between the plants and the pot becomes unstable. Use a sturdy container only one size larger with several generous drainage holes. The three plants can be repotted together to preserve their full appearance. Do not pull the roots apart, because root damage can severely delay growth.

Humidity: Average humidity with adequate air circulation is suitable. Artificially increasing humidity is unnecessary when the palms are grown outdoors.

Special features: The smaller and stiffer leaf segments give Trachycarpus wagnerianus its compact appearance and make the foliage relatively resistant to wind. The three palms share the available water, nutrients and root space, making regular checks of the potting soil important. Trachycarpus palms are dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. Three plants per pot do not guarantee that both a male and a female plant are present.