Trachycarpus fortunei aka Chinese Windmill Palm
Taxonomy
Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as Chinese windmill palm, windmill palm or Chusan palm is a species of hardy evergreen palm tree in the family Arecaceae. Native to parts of China, Japan, Myanmar and India, it is found growing at altitudes of 100 to 2400m (328–7874 feet) and is one of the hardiest palms growing in the mountains of southern China. Today, it is widely cultivated throughout China, Japan and SE Asia for the fibres within the leaf stalk and can be found in full sun in a location that provides some shade and protection from wind. Although it can reach heights ranging from 20’ to 40’ tall in the wild, it is hardy to zone 7 and can be invasive in Switzerland.
Common names
Chinese Windmill Palm, Chusan Palm, Chusan Fan Palm, Hemp PalmHow to care for Chinese Windmill Palm
Difficulty
Caring for Chinese Windmill Palm is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
Chinese Windmill Palm should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Chinese Windmill Palm loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Chinese Windmill Palm prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Chinese Windmill Palm is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Chinese Windmill Palm should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Chinese Windmill Palm as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Chinese Windmill Palm’s native range is E. Asia - C. and E. China.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Trachycarpus Genus
