When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Mine has been growing for almost a year has 4 and a half leaves. When will it start to develop a trunk and get the "windmill" looking leaves instead of the single leaves?

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

In a pot it could be a while. Ive had one in a pot from a very young seedling and I have had it for 4 years now and it is still small. It doesnt have any young fronds anymore, but it doesnt have much of a trunk either! Im sure once I plant it in the ground it will pick up in growth speed. My 3 gallon palm already came with some trunk and Im hoping its growth rate will pick up and it will start looking like a mature trachycarpus!

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

That depends on the climate, but it will take several years. Once it found the underground water, it will kick off the growth. Trachys always build lots of deep roots to establish well and only then grow mostly above the surface.

You will have a great lookin' palm in a few years, just make sure it doesn't lose all the fronds in the winter, or you might effectively double the time needed for plant to grow efficiently.

Pot growing speed: free soil growing speed ratio is circa:
1:2.5

Once there are more roots on the inground plant, it will even grow faster.

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

This almost 4 yrs from the time I planted the seed,and it took almost a year to germinate.

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Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Wow 4 years for that much...I guess im gonna have to get a bigger one off of ebay then...lol. Why cant they grow like bananas??? lol Theres a guy about 15 minutes from my house that has a few big ones one has about 7 foot of trunk which is awesome for zone 6 Ohio. So i know they can grow here.

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Be sure to buy one from a area that gets cold,it does make a difference,where it comes and how hardy it will be.

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Yeah i need to find a good dealer that sells them

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Here's mine that's 5 years old and now has a little over a 1ft. trunk . It started as a single leaf when I bought it and is going outside in the ground this spring. I bet yours will start developing the fan leaves this year. One thing I learned from Ante is that you really need a large pot even for the small ones and they develop large root system before pushing good growth.

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Thats amazing growth for 5 yrs,congrats!
What are you feeding this big boy?

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Thanks, I've been feeding it with a combination of miracle grow organic
12-0-0 as well as Espoma citrus tone or tomato fertilizer... basically whatever I've had around for the bananas and other plants.

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

I've found waiting for noticeable palm growth is vexing, to say the least, at least for this banana guy. I only believe my photos now.

Re: When will trachycarpus fortunei start growing a trunk?
 

Well it sure likes it!!!And it shows!