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Accepted Scientific Name: Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl.
Bull. Soc. Bot. France 8: 429. 1862 [1861 publ. 1862]
Origin and Habitat: Trachycarpus wagnerianusSN|27219]]SN|27219]] is regarded as being unknown in the wild, but appears to have originated in cultivation in China and Japan.
Synonyms:
- Trachycarpus wagnerianus Becc.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl.
Bull. Soc. Bot. France 8: 429. 1862 [1861 publ. 1862]
Synonymy: 4
- Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl.
- Chamaerops fortunei Hook.
- Trachycarpus caespitosus Becc.
- Trachycarpus wagnerianus Becc.
ENGLISH: Miniature Chusan Palm, Waggie (Australia), Wagner's Windmill Palm.
CHINESE (中文): Wa shi zong lü.
FRENCH (Français): Palmier miniature de Chusan
GERMAN (Deutsch): Wagners Hanfpalme, Windmühlenpalme
JAPANESE (日本語): Toujuro
Description: Trachycarpus wagnerianusSN|27217]]SN|27219]] formerly sometimes treated as a separate species is a small-leafed variant of Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27217]]SN|27217]]. It is much more compact than Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27217]]SN|27217]] particularly the fronds suitable for small gardens. Due to the shape (bonsai like), to the exceptional resistance to cold in combination with humidity and to the great tolerance of wind, the major enemy of Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27219]]SN|27217]].
Trunk: Single, 3-6 m tall, 20-35 cm in diameter, brown, covered in leaf base fibres.
Crown: More compact 30-150 cm wide.
Leaves: Small, round, 45-60 cm wide, deeply-cut, dark rich green, very stiff, with a white woolly tomentum on the margins of new growth, born on 60-90 cm long petioles which gives the palm a more compact look. The leaves of younger palm are nearly circular, but get hemispherical as the leaves get older.
Flowers: Small, yellow, dioecious, male and female flowers are born on separate plants.
Fruits: Not edible, oblong in shape, purple black when ripe.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Trachycarpus fortunei group
- Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl.
- Trachycarpus wagnerianus Becc.: formerly sometimes treated as a separate species it is a small-leafed variant selected in cultivation in China and Japan. The leaves are held in a more compact crown.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Philip McMillan Browse (ed.), P.D.A.McMillan Browse “Gardening on the Edge: Drawing on the Cornwall Experience” Alison Hodge Publishers, 01/Jan/2004. Page 98-99
2) Christopher Holliday “Sharp Gardening” frances lincoln ltd, 01/Mar/2005. Page 32.
Cultivation and Propagation: Trachycarpus wagnerianusSN|27217]]SN|27219]] is a pocket-sized form of Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27217]]SN|27217]] adapt to more summer heat and humidity combined with extreme winter cold, making it by far the most adaptable cold hardy palm in existence. The constitution of the fronds makes this form the most suited for more exposed locations, as well as being highly garden-worthy. Superior in every way to Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27217]]SN|27217]] this palm will one day replace the common fortunei as most popular palm.
Otherwise very similar in cultural requirements to Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27217]]SN|27217]].
Growth Rate: It grows slow at first but after 3-4 years grows more quickly with age if cared for. Under the right conditions — with warmth, good food and drink — they can grow 30 cm in the growing season.
Soil: It is adaptable to many kinds of well drained soils, and can grow on poor and rocky soils. It will survive in almost anything except perpetually soggy conditions.
Transplantation: Excellent root system and very tolerant of transplantation. .
Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet including all micro nutrients and trace elements or slow release fertilizer applied during the growing season, or according to package directions, using a fertilizer specifically formulated for palms.
Water Requirements: It may tolerates low levels of humidity, but watering it when dry will speed up growth rate . When supplied with adequate moisture and fertilizer it is also fairly fast growing. This palm is amazingly drought tolerant once established although plants will appear stunted and growth rate dramatically slowed if regular watering is withheld. It dislikes soggy soils.
Light: Although it looks like a sun-lover, it will tolerate partial shade with some direct sunlight. It will survive in rather heavy shade but "stretches" to lose its compact shape. It produces flowers and fruit only in sunny positions.
Aerosol salt tolerance: It is moderately salt tolerant and may be grown near the sea if given some protection (behind a dune, building, etc.), so although it is seen in mild seaside gardens, it cannot be grown on a blustery seafront and does better inland then it does on the coast.
Wind resistance: It is much more tolerant to wind conditions than Trachycarpus fortuneiSN|27219]]SN|27217]] which has larger leaves that become easily ragged in windy gardens
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 to 11 tolerance limits of 18 °C to -20 °C are cited for mature plants. Young plants are less hardy, and can by damaged by only -8 to -12° C. It does not however grow well in very hot climates. In winter it prefers cool dry conditions but will also grow in tropical or semi-tropical place.
Roots: Usually not a problem
Maintenance: For the healthiest and most attractive plant, keep the palm pruned. As the old fronds die, these should be trimmed off and the leaf bases allowed to dry out, but do not prune if the frond still has some green colour. Palms recycle nutrients from dead or dying fronds and use them for healthier fronds.
Uses: The dense compact habit makes it a useful plant for a confined space like urban courtyard gardens. It is very attractive planted in groves and groupings especially when plants of different heights are staggered in irregular patterns (plant the tallest palms in centre of the groups and shorter ones at the edges). It is also excellent in containers and urns plant.
**Pest and disease: Long-term health usually not affected by pests or insects.
Propagation:*** By seed that germinate in 8 to 12 weeks without a lot of fuss.
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