Trachycarpus Wagnerianus

Trachycarpus wagnerianus (Waggie Palm)

Description

Trachycarpus wagnerianus(Arecaceae) is also known as Minature Chusan,Wagner’s Windmill Palm or Waggie Palm. It is originated from China & Japan and considered one of the windmill palm because of its large fronds which are similar to old windmill blades or vanes. It usually grows in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The trunk of the plant is 3-6 meters tall, 20-35 cm in diameter, brown in colour and covered with in leaf base fibers which are very dominant. The leaves are broad, darker green, rounded,45-60 cm wide, stiff, deeply cut, compact, silvery undertone and has white wooly tomentum on the margins of new growth. Their leaves are slightly smaller as compared to the Trachycarpus fortunei. The inflorescence is simple or branched and normally arises from the leaf bases and numerous small flowers occurs individually or in cluster. The flowers are small, yellow in colour and dioecious (male and female flowers are born on separate plants). The female flowers have 3 petals and sepals while male flowers have 4 petals and sepals. The fruit is drupe or berry with only one seed, not edible, purple to black in colour and oblong in shape. The growth rate is slow at first but after 3-4 years it grows quickly with age.

Landscaping Ideas For Trachycarpus wagnerianus

Trachycarpus wagnerianus is much more wind resistant than other species of Trachycarpus therefore, it is recommended for windy positions in the garden, parks and streets. It is moderately salt tolerant and grown near the seaside. It is more elegant and easy to keep as it grows well under all conditions.

How to grow Trachycarpus wagnerianus

Trachycarpus wagnerianus can be propagated by viable seeds taken from female plant and soaked in warm water for a couple of days then the seeds are cleaned and sown in the mixture of peat and perlite. The seeds takes 8 to 12 weeks for their germination.It has an excellent root system and can be transplanted easily.

How to take care of Trachycarpus wagnerianus

• Caring for Trachycarpus wagnerianus is easy due to its stout stature and adaptability to cold, drought and salt exposure.
• It has great tolerance to wind and snow loads and makes a perfect choice for cold regions.
• It is adaptable to many kinds of well-drained soil and grow well on nutritionally poor and rocky soils.
• It prefers sunlight more than shade although heavy shade tends to lose its compact shape.
• It produces flowers and fruit only when it gets enough sunlight.
• It can tolerate temperature ranges between 18°C to -20°C but young plant are less hardy therefore they can be damaged by -8°C to -12 °C.
• It prefers low watering but watering during dry seasons will speeds up the growth.
• It needs fertilizers diet that contains all micro nutrients and trace elements and should be applied especially during growing season.
• Pruning should be maintained for healthy and attractive shape of palm.

It is usually not affected by the insects or pests for long term.