Although the Chinese hemp palm is an exotic plant, it requires surprisingly little care. What is important to her is a suitable location and safe wintering. But what about watering and fertilizing? And does she have to use the scissors?
How do you properly care for a Trachycarpus fortunei?
For optimal Trachycarpus fortunei care, the root ball should always be slightly moist, but waterlogging should be avoided. Fertilize during the growing season and cut off dead palm fronds. Potted plants need winter frost protection; when planted out, a 30 cm layer of mulch should be applied.
Wate with restraint as it is sensitive to moisture
A balanced water balance is based on the fact that the hemp palm is rooted in permeable soil. This is the only way to optimally control watering. The following rules apply:
- Root ball must never dry out completely
- therefore water regularly and thoroughly
- but only when the surface of the earth has dried out
- Plant must not be exposed to waterlogging
- Pour away excess water promptly
- only use soft water
- for example pond water or rainwater
Fertilize only in the vegetation phase
You may only fertilize both container specimens and those planted in the garden during the vegetation phase. Less is more, because over-fertilization is harmful.
- In the bed, fertilization with mature compost is sufficient in spring
- if applicable. Fertilize until July if the soil is poor and very sandy
- Fertilize potting soil from April to September
- with long-term fertilizer (€3.00 on Amazon), fertilizer sticks or liquid fertilizer
- Quantity and frequency can be found in the manufacturer’s instructions
Tip
Diluted nettle manure is also a natural fertilizer that provides the hemp palm with lots of nutrients for its growth. To neutralize the unpleasant smell, you can add some rock dust, which also contains important trace elements.
Occasional cutting for appearance
A hemp palm does not branch, instead it always pushes its leaves out from the center. That's why you don't have to cut them. However, if individual palm fronds occasionally dry out or are bent by the wind, they can be removed at any time for visual reasons using pruning shears or a saw.
Winter protection measures are essential
A hemp palm needs winter protection because it is only hardy down to -10 °C when planted out, and only down to -5 °C in a pot. Depending on where it has to spend the winter, the winter protection will be slightly different. These are the measures at a glance:
- spread a 30 cm layer of mulch around planted specimens
- made of leaves, straw or fir branches
- Tie palm fronds loosely upwards with coconut rope
- then wrap with light fleece
- put a bag over it during very wet periods
- Winter pot specimens in the house frost-free
- Temperature and lighting conditions are secondary
- it can even stand in the living room at 20 ° C
- alternatively, hibernate outside close to a house wall
- Wrap the pot with fleece and place it on Styrofoam
- Tether and wrap the crown in the same way as planted palm trees
Every hemp palm must be supplied with water even during wintering. The warmer the winter, the higher their requirements.
