Windmill Palm Trachycarpus Fortunei 20+ seeds | Cold Hardy

Please find for sale 20 fresh seeds of Trachycarpus Fortunei, better known as the Windmill Palm.

PLEASE NOTE: All orders received before 8pm (Mon-Fri) will be dispatched same day

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This palm is perfect for UK conditions, regardless off where you live  - the Windmill Palm is considered to be the most cold hardy palm in the world. These tough species are native to eastern China and the Himalaya mountains where severe (though brief) winter conditions occur. Hardy to about -23°C they grow at high altitudes where temperatures are cool.

Straightforward to grow, they can either be planted direct into the soil, or grown and superb feature plants in large pots.

Germination Guide

1) Remove any remaining "papery" layer surrounding the hard core of the seed.

2) Optional - if you are experienced at seed scarification techniques, you may want to file a small area of  the seeds slightly with a metal nail file - this speeds water absorption for 3) below and further speeds germination. Just do this on some of the seeds to play it safe.

3) To speed up germination, soak the seeds in room temperature water for 3 days, changing the water daily

4) Using gloves, quickly dip the seeds in a 10% household bleach solution then rinse off with fresh water (this process sterilizes the seeds, and reduces the chance of fungal growth.

5) Prepare potting mix - ideally 50/50 of regular compost mixed with perlite, vermiculite or horticultural sand. Mix should be moist but not wet

6) Put the compost mix in a plastic container and microwave on full power for 2 minutes (kills any fungus etc). Allow to cool

7) Spread the windmill palm seeds over the compost surface, about 2.5cm apart. Sprinkle a 0.75cm layer of potting mix over the seeds. Lightly press down on the soil so it sits firmly over the seeds.

8) Seeds tray can be cover loosely with a plastic bag but we find the risk of rot is much reduced if left open, with the seeds tray sitting inside a plastic tray/container to allow watering from the bottom.

9)  Place the tray in a warm area out of bright light eg on a window sill but out of direct sun . Typical UK indoor room temperature is fine 17-23c. 

10) Ensure compost does not dry out. If uncovered, the best way is to pour water into the container below the seed tray, allow this water to be taken up by the compost for 30 mins or so, then once the moisture visible on the surface drain off remaining water from the container.

11) Seeds should germinate in 8 to 12 weeks.