Trachycarpus species growth rate comparisons

[Barrie]

For comparison purposes, here are three Trachycarpus species that are all 4 years of age in two gallon pots. From left to right are Trachycarpus takil, T. wagnerianus, and T. fortunei. I know theres been much debate regarding the species status of T. takil but it is apparent from this seed lot that whatever it is, it's certainly more robust and initally grows obliquely.

Cheers, Barrie.

[palmera]

Hey there Barrie,

I'd have to agree with you. I have two T. takils and two T. fortuneis that were planted last Spring as 2nd year seedlings. Both were the same size/age and I planted them both in similarily exposed sites. Part sun/shade. Currently, the takils are 12" tall with 11 leaves vs the fortuneis which are 10" tall with only 7 leaves. The takil's leaves are also larger. Interesting that it appears as though your 4 year olds are about the same size as my 3 year olds, planted in the ground.

[Barrie]

Hey palmera.
Good to see you on board here at Palms North!
I have seen growth rates vary among palms in general. Some taking off and others at a snails pace, all growing in the basically same environment. In ground palms always grow faster than containerized palms. I planted some one gallon Windmill palms next to my driveway in 2003, and now they're easily a very heathy 15 gallon size. At this point they will grow even faster now that the trunk diameter has formed and they go skyward.

I was over to see Carol on Saltspring Island last Sunday and picked up some of the plants offered by SSI school. I also delivered some things she was looking for and had a great afternoon visit at her place. I left her with some things for the school / market place sale which will raise money for the school and it's functions.

Cheers, Barrie.

[turtile]

I have one that is 1/3 the size of the others from the same seed batch. (T. Fortunei) It seems to be much hardier (much thicker)

[Alchris]

Those are beautiful palms. I am losing patience waiting for spring when I will get a T. Wagnerianus.

Allen

[Wes North Van]

Like you I am finding the same results. Takil always seems to develop a heal, have larger fronds and grows quicker. I don't care if Takil is just a var. of fortunei, there is a difference.

[Barrie]

I had about 100 T. takil seedlings and only one didn't grow in the characteristic oblique manner. I have routinely noticed T. fortunei growing in that same, "heeled over" way. Did you ever read Martin Gibbons retraction regarding T. takil? I've only heard of it's existence through members on UK Oasis, and not laid eyes on it myself.

Cheers, Barrie.

[turtile]

I read that the SFH (slope frost heave) trunk is an adaptation fotunei and mainly Takil have in order to grow on cliffs and mountain/hill sides that have frost.

[Stevea07]

Hi Barrie,

Your fortunei has a huge base. What fertilizer are you using? Also, what seed souce did you use for your takils?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[Barrie]

Stevea07,
I use Osmocote fertilizer. As for the the base size on that T. fortunei, they're not uniform from one to another. This one (by luck of the draw) happens to be a slight bit larger than most of this size.
My seed source is and was no secret at the time. RPS was and still is by most standards, the bench mark for these. I have no idea if they still sell or claim T. takil as a seperate species. I haven't bought any takil seed through them since.

Cheers, Barrie.

[Wes North Van]

Like you Barrie, I keep hearing about it from the Euros but I have never seen it either.

[Laaz]

Are you referring to this ? http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Trachycarpus/takil.html

[Wes North Van]

No that is not the article Barrie and I are talking about but interesting none the doubt.