Paul asks…
How to care for a windmill palm indoors?
Hi, I just bought a windmill palm at walmart and I was wondering how I could keep it indoors for about a month before I plant it outside. What are the watering condtions? It is inside a sand/soil mix. The latin name is Trachycarpus fortunei.
Thank you.
It is near a window that has full sun.
admin answers:
Give this palm as much light as you can. Move it outdoors for the summer, if you want. Just be sure to keep it protected from strong winds, which can damage the fronds. A sheltered porch or patio is ideal.
Repot in spring every 2-3 years or as needed, moving it to a pot 1 size larger. Older plants that are too big to repot can be top-dressed instead by replacing the top couple inches of soil. Crowding roots helps to control its size. Use a heavy container to prevent it from toppling because this palm gets top-heavy.
Origin: Southeast Asia
Height: Up to 8 ft (2.4 m) indoors
Light: Bright light with plenty of direct sun.
Water: Keep soil moist spring through summer and barely moist in fall and winter.
Humidity: Moderate humidity. Mist regularly in winter if the relative humidity drops below 50 percent.
Temperature: Average room temperature 65-75°F, 18-24°C year-round.
Soil: Use a peaty mix that drains well. Mix 1 part sand to 3 parts African violet mix.
Fertilizer: Feed once in spring and again in summer with a time-release fertilizer. Rose fertilizer works well because it provides the micronutrients this palm needs. A shortage of magnesium will cause yellow spots on the leaflets.
Joseph asks…
How Long Will It Take My Chinese Windmill Palm To Grow 5 Feet?
I have a Chinese Windmill Palm Tree how many year will it take before it’s a grown tree?
admin answers:
Palms will need to be fertilized with a complete fertilizer mixed for palms four [4] times a year and the fertilizer waterin in each time unless you use a formulation labeled “slo-release”. They will require watrer and care to reach maximum size.
Under the best of conditions the palm will increase around 10 to 15% each year in height and diameter until it reaches its adult size. Remember the palm is a member of the grass family and does not mature until it has developed all of its feeding root system.
George asks…
How tall does a windmill palm get?
I have been to three different nurseries and inquired about the windmill palm height. one place said they get 70 ft one said max of 20ft and the last place laughed at me and said no more than 8ft. What is an accurate size to go by. I want to line my fence with palms but don’t want monsters in height or the real bushy looking palm. am I s.o.l or is there a certain species I can use?
admin answers:
About 50ft.
Chris asks…
How cold hardy is the windmill palm?
Hello. I live in zone 7a and would like a windmill palm. I have heard mixed opinions on its cold hardiness. I was thinking of putting chirtmas lights over it. Is this a good idea?
thanks
admin answers:
Windmill Palm
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Trachycarpus fortunei
Windmill Palm
Description
Height: 10-20 feet (3.0-6.0 meters)
Spread: 6-10 feet (1.8-3.0 meters)
Leaf: 18-36 inches (46-91 cm)
Range: Not native to North America. (USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11 – southern and western coastal US states.)
General Care Tips
Windmill Palms grow in full sun and partial shade conditions on well-drained, fertile
soils. Water regularly. Prune sparingly. Avoid damaging lower trunk and roots.
Things to Watch For
Pests include palm aphids and scales. Disease vulnerabilities include root rot, lethal yellowing disease and leaf spots.
James asks…
How do you speed up the growth of a Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)?
I have planted the seed of a Windmill palm within a pot. I have read that it will grow about 1 foot per year. Is there any way to aid it in its growth once it is established? Can I give it something to speed up its growth so that it maybe grows 2 feet a year?
admin answers:
These palms like a lot of water and fertilizer. Young plants need extra phosphorus for good root development. Look for a fertilizer that has phosphorus (the second number on the bag.) The sooner the palm gets this fertilizer, the sooner it will have strong roots and begin to grow faster for you.
I hope this helps 
David asks…
what is coming out of my Windmill Palm trees?
There are some weird things growing out of my windmill palm. It looks sort of like a corn husk growing out of the top of the tree. Some opened up and it looks like foam like things made up of a bunch of little yellow beads. Anybody have any idea what this might be?
admin answers:
It sounds like your trachy is setting out seeds. Do you live in a colder climate where there is cold and snow? How old is the palm? I have 3 of them but mine are only a few years old.
Carol asks…
is the WINDMILL PALM COLD HARDY in ZONE 7A?
I AM WONDERING IF THE WINDMILL PALM WAS REALLY COLD HARDY TO THE WINTERS OF ZONE 7A/7B. DOES IT NEED PROTECTION? CAN IT BE BARE? CAN IT EVEN SURVIVE WITH OR WITHOUT PROTECTION.
admin answers:
A Windmill Palm is the most cold hardy palm out there. It is cold hardy down to 5 degrees. Nursury growers are split on zones though. Some are shy to reccommend it in zones 8-10 while others say they guarantee it in zones 3-10.
Richard asks…
Would a Windmill Palm survive in Toronto?
I am innterested in purchasing a Windmill Palm Tree. I have heard that they are very cold hardy. Could they survive in Toronto? And where could I purchase one?
admin answers:
They are relatively cold hardy…for a palm. But I’m afraid outdoors in Toronto is pushing it. If you could shelter it in the winter months, It would work.
They are beautiful Palms. Home Depot and Lowes has them in their nursery here in Florida. Perhaps you can use that as an excuse for a Florida vacation!
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