10 Windmill Palm Tree Seeds
Trachycarpus Fortunei
Fast Growing, Most Cold Hardy Palm
The Windmill Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, is the Most Cold Hardy of the arborescent palms found Anywhere in the World – at least as far as we know. Originating from central China and adjacent parts of southeast Asia, it is grown in far flung parts of the world these days, withstanding surprising amounts of cold, wintry weather. If you’ve seen a picture of a palm tree with snow covering it, most likely it was a T. fortunei. Featuring a solitary thick stem and long petioles with two rows of small spines and several leaflets arranged in a rounded fan shape, the windmill is a slow-growing, tall and hardy palm and can grow up to anywhere between 39’ to 66’ feet tall. Due to the fan-shaped arrangement of its leaves, the palm species is also referred to as the Chinese Windmill Palm. Each frond is about 55” to 75” inch long with several up to 35” inches long leaflets and 24” to 39” inch long petiole. The leaf bases form coarse layers on the trunk giving it a very rough texture. Chinese windmill is one of the hardiest known palm species and can easily tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. The palm species produces large, branched panicles of fragrant flowers in spring. The plant is winter hardy to USDA zone 7. Or, if you live in colder climates, they also make a great container plant that can be brought indoors during the colder months. If planted outside, for optimal growth, for the first 2 years cover the tree with a piece of plastic during the cold winter months. Be sure to cut a few small holes on each side so it can still breath well. After that, you'll never have to cover them again, and the cold months won't stunt their growth as they are the most cold hardy palm tree in the world. If you're planting in a soil comprised of mostly clay, to get the best start and optimal growth, dig out a 2'x2' hole, and fill it with a sandy compost mix. Be sure that it's a clean and sterile mix. That is all that is needed for their growth to accelerate, without being stunted when the roots do grow into the clay. During the summer months, water them frequently, and fertilize them at least once a month to get the fastest optimal growth. Only fertilize them once in mid Fall, and once again near the middle of winter as they don't feed or drink as much water during the winter months. The 6th picture of the Chinese Windmill is one I planted at my grandmother's house 2 years ago, and it was very tiny; appx 1' tall. Even though they are known to be a slow growing palm, if you take care of them as described, they will grow a lot faster than slow and produce a Palm the size of the one in picture number 5. We're in NC, and it was rock hard clay, but if you take care of them the first 2 crucial years, there will be no stunted growth, only optimal.
Windmill Palm Germination:
1) Fill a bowl with warm water, add the seeds, and allow them to soak for about three days. Change the water on a daily basis. Soaking the seeds increases their chance of germinating, and may speed up the germination process.
2) Put on waterproof gloves, pick up the seeds, and quickly dip them in a solution of one part household bleach to 10 parts water. Rinse the seeds with water. This process sterilizes the seeds, and reduces the chance of a fungal growth.
3) Use a well mixed & well draining potting soil. Plant only 1/4" deep with soil firmly pressed over them. Use a spray bottle to keep it moist but not wet. Avoid overwatering, because this can cause the seeds to rot.
4) Seal the pots with a piece of plastic tightly. This promotes the soil moisture retention during the germination process.
5) Use a heated propagator to keep the soil between 64 to 70 degrees F. Expect the seeds to germinate within eight to 12 weeks.
6) Remove the glass pane or plastic bag, as soon as germination sets in. Place the pot near a sunny window, so it's indirectly exposed to sunlight.