Trachycarpus fortunei, also known to many gardeners as the Chinese hemp palm, copes surprisingly well with cold for a palm tree. The plant, which comes from the high mountains of Asia, can even tolerate frost to a certain extent. That's why the hemp palm can leave the bucket and enter the garden bed.
When and how can you plant a Trachycarpus fortunei?
Answer: The ideal planting time for Trachycarpus fortunei is in spring, around April or May. Pay attention to older specimens that tolerate the cold better, choose a wind-protected, semi-sunny location, prepare the soil with lava granules and leaf compost and plant the palm tree with a drainage layer made of pottery shards or expanded clay.
Waiting for the first years of life
Young hemp palms are not yet sufficiently resilient or cold-resistant. They should therefore spend their first years of life in a pot whose location can be flexibly adapted to their needs and the weather. Only plant older specimens.
Ideal time for planting
It takes a long time for Trachycarpus fortunei to completely conquer a new soil with its roots. So that it actually gets the time it needs, it is only planted out in spring. Definitely not in autumn! Plant on a dry, mild day in April or May at the latest.
Find a suitable location
The hemp palm likes warm places with lots of light, but direct sun is not beneficial for the appearance of the leaves.
- the location should be protected from the wind
- plate-like palm fronds will otherwise become unsightly frayed
- get brown edges afterwards
- in harsh regions only cultivate outside with winter protection
- the rougher the region, the more protected the palm tree has to be
- for example on a south wall
Optimize soil conditions
Ideal is a humus-rich, nutrient-rich and permeable soil with a pH value between 5.3 and 7.5. You should improve clay-containing soil before planting by adding lava granules (€15.00 on Amazon) and leaf compost optimize.
Planting process
- Dig a sufficiently large and, above all, deep planting hole so that the long taproot is not bent.
- Place a drainage layer of pottery shards or expanded clay into the planting hole.
- Enrich the excavation with compost or horn shavings, then you no longer need to fertilize for the first time.
- Take the palm tree out of the pot and put it in place.
- Fill the gaps with the excavated material, which you press down well so that no cavities form.
- Water the palm tree with soft water.
- Spread a layer of leaves or grass clippings in the root area.
Tip
If the hemp palm was previously indoors, you should shade it with a parasol for about two weeks after planting.
