How to pollinate Trachycarpus flowers

oktober 10th, 2017 · 3 Comments

In spring, the Trachycarpus usually blossoms. Most of them will do so annually, although they sometimes skip a year. When the palm blossoms, the sex can also be determined. (See also: Trachycarpus: is it a male or a female?) Once the flowers are fully open, you can pollinate them yourself to actually get seeds. In this article we show you how!

Male and female

The Trachycarpus genus is dioecious. In other words, both male and female are needed to pollinate the flowers. With a bit of luck, you have both male and female. Otherwise, it is of course always possible to collect pollen elsewhere. Other enthusiasts will be happy to share this through various forums. It is the female palm that will carry the seeds.

Step 1

As soon as the male inflorescence is fully opened, the pollen is dispersed. You can see these fall as a yellow powder when you strike the inflorescence. Rub gently with a brush over the inflorescence and collect the pollen.

Step 2

Follow the development of the female inflorescence closely to observe when the small flowers open.

Step 3

As soon as the female flowers are opened, the pollen can be gently rubbed over the female flowers. Repeat this daily if necessary for about one week to increase the chance of success.

Step 4

If pollination is successful, the flowers will slowly change into small balls which will also become darker and darker. The seed maturing process lasts until approximately after the winter. They can be harvested when they are deep dark blue colored. If pollination fails, the flowers dry and fall off and a bare inflorescence remains.

NB. Different Trachycarpus species can be crossed with each other. Crossing a Trachycarpus with another palm genus is usually not possible.

© La Palmeraie

3 reacties »

  • Reactie door Anders — 14 december 2021 13:47 @ 13:47

    https://ibb.co/DWpxkpL

    Hi
    See the above picture please.

    I have a question, my palm have this year set seeds, normally it just blossom.
    How is this possible?, as far as I know there are no other (male) palms in the neighborhood. Or are there?
    Will it, to your opinion, be possible to germinate the seeds?, when they has become black later in winter or next year?

    I look forward to hear your opinion, and advice.


  • Reactie door lapalmeraie — 14 december 2021 14:03 @ 14:03

    Hi Anders

    There must be another Trachycarpus somewhere in the neighborhood. Yours look very nice by the way. These seeds will turn dark over winter and can be harvested in spring, let’s say March-April. And there’s no reason why they shouldn’t germinate.

    Kind regards
    La Palmeraie


  • Reactie door Anders — 15 december 2021 21:59 @ 21:59

    Hi
    The nearest I have seen is aprox. 800-900 meters away, so if it is that one it is really amazing ! but ofcourse there could grow others you can’t see from the street.
    thanx for your answer!!
    I’ll send some pictures when they germinate :) !


Berichten RSS voor reacties op dit bericht. TrackBack URL

Geef een reactie

Please use FR to upload photos !
Simply click on the logo, then click on "start uploading", choose your files, choose upload and paste the links in your comment.
To avoid spam, comments with more the 3 links will only be published after moderation.