Cutting is an annual maintenance task from which many plants benefit. Does the hemp palm also have to leave a few fronds regularly? No! But every now and then she too will feel the pinch. We'll tell you why.
Do you have to cut the Trachycarpus fortunei hemp palm?
The Trachycarpus fortunei hemp palm generally does not need to be trimmed, but yellow, brown or damaged leaves can be removed to improve its appearance. Green leaves should only be cut if there is a lack of space or to limit volume. Cutting off the flowers early promotes more leaf growth.
The special type of new growth
In gardening care work, pruning is usually done in order to achieve abundant branching. This is not possible with the palm tree. Trachycarpus fortunei always sprouts new leaves from its center. This is also called heart of palm. Their leaves are also evergreen and perennial, so they can stay on the plant. Yes, the more palm leaves it has, the more impressive it is.
Cutting yellow and brown leaves
Even with the best care, the leaves of the Chinese hemp palm can occasionally suffer from the given living conditions. Then they change their beautiful appearance, which bothers almost every owner.
- too much sun causes yellow spots
- these will turn brown later
- Too much or too little water is often to blame
- Leaves first turn yellow, then brown
- usually the outer leaves are affected first
- low humidity leads to brown leaf tips
- Wind breaks leaves, which dry out over time
- Even frost can damage leaves
You can remove annoying leaves with clean and sharp garden scissors or a saw. But wait until the leaf is completely brown and dry. Leave a leaf residue of approx. 5 cm remaining on the trunk.
Tip
Cutting is only a “cosmetic” measure here. Also remember to find out the cause and, if possible, eliminate it. Otherwise you will always have to struggle with yellow or brown leaves.
Cutting green leaves of the hemp palm
Green leaves are apparently he althy, but sometimes they need to be cut from the trunk. The palm tree becomes larger and more expansive over the years. If its space does not offer more space, its volume must be limited. But don't cut off the entire sheet straight away. Leave about 15cm of it. Only when this residue has dried do you remove up to 5 cm.
Note:Cut as many green leaves as necessary to limit the growth of the palm tree. But be sure to leave the palm heart intact! If it is damaged, Trachycarpus fortunei can no longer grow new palm fronds and eventually dies.
Cut flowers for more leaves
If you plant a hemp palm in the garden, it will probably bloom very often. But there is a price to be paid for the decorative flowers. Since they and the later seed formation require a lot of energy, “leaf production” is reduced. If you want a lot of leaf fronds, you should cut off the flower early.
