Trachycarpus Wagnerianus (Waggie palm)

Trachycarpus Wagnerianus (Waggie palm)

Waggie palms can withstand temperatures to -15°C. The hairy trunk gives this plant a natural protection against freezing temperatures. And you can decide for yourself whether to plant it in a tub, pot, or in the ground. All are absolutely fine for a Trachycarpus Wagnerianus. It’s a really stunning and distinctive plant that will never look out of place in your garden or office building. You’ll feel like you’re in far off, warm climes. The tropical and luxurious look and easy maintenance make this palm a real asset. And the fantastic thing is that it hardly needs any extra care!

Growing the Waggie palm

The Trachycarpus Wagnerianus is native to Japan. These days it’s grown in various countries. You’ll hardly ever see this palm growing in the wild.

Why chose the Trachycarpus Wagnerianus?

• The plant is beautiful, a real feast for the eyes.
• It also has a distinctive look.
• The palm has a tropical appearance that reminds you of warmer climes.
• The palm is winter hardy.
• It’s also not too fussy about the moisture levels in the soil.
• You only need to fertilize the plant once or twice a year.
• You can plant it in a pot, tub, or in the ground.
• Pruning is not really necessary. Just prune any brown/yellow leaves.

When should you plant your Waggie palm?

Planting just before winter is not a good idea. That’s because a Trachycarpus Wagnerianus needs time to take root after planting. It’s best to plant it in April or May. If it’s still freezing overnight, hold off with planting, as it really needs time to take root and it won’t manage that in hard and frosty soil. If you plant the palm in the spring, it will have an entire season to acclimatize.

What’s the best way to plant your Waggie palm?

A Trachycarpus Wagnerianus is fairly easy to please. You can plant yours in a tub or pot, or in the ground. Planting in the ground does have several advantages. It will ensure that your Waggie palm grows faster and will become bigger. It also helps it become winter hardy. If you plant it in a pot or tub, you’ll need to take extra care.                                                                                                                                                         

Here are a few tips for planting it in a container or tub: Make a few holes in the pot or container and place bubble wrap around the inside of it for insulation. Scatter a generous layer of hydrograins on the bottom and then fill up with Mediterranean potting soil.

Tip for planting in the garden: Make sure the plant has enough space. The hole in which you place the palm root ball must be at least 30 centimetres larger in diameter than the palm’s root ball. If you then sprinkle some lava granulate in the hole, the palm can take root properly and the granulate also provides good water drainage.
Place your Trachycarpus Wagnerianus in the hole, cover with earth, and press this down slightly. Give your Waggie palm plenty of water two or three times a week for the first weeks. This is preferable to watering a little every day.

Tips

Of course, you’ll want to choose a nice position for your Trachycarpus Wagnerianus. So be aware that it prefers being in full sun or partial shade. A spot against a south-facing wall is perfect, as it’s often warmer there.
During harsh winters, it’s important that you protect your Waggie palm with a fleece or a tree jacket to be safe. If you’ve planted your palm in a pot or tub, you should move it to a light and frost-free position in the winter.

Positioning
An adult Waggie palm will grow around 30 centimetres per year and the leaf crown can reach two metres in diameter. So be aware that you need enough distance from other plants, trees, or buildings.

Advice and Care

Water
It’s best to give your Waggie palm plenty of water once every three days, as this imitates a sub-tropical downpour. It prefers rainwater as the limescale in tap water is not good for the palm roots.
If the weather is really dry, water your Trachycarpus Wagnerianus every day.

Fertilizer
It’s more than enough to fertilize your Waggie palm just twice a year. Do this first in April and a second time in July. Use slow-release fertilizer for this.

Pruning
It’s best to prune your Trachycarpus Wagnerianus in the spring. You can then remove any parched leaves up to around 10 centimetres from the trunk. Never prune back completely to the trunk.

Treating common problems
Mould and bacteria will take hold if the growing point is damaged. That’s why you should protect the growing point in the winter months and keep it dry. We recommend spraying the growing point with an anti-mould spray in autumn and in early spring. You can use sulphun spray or Rosacur for this.
The palm leaves can become light yellow. This means the plant has an iron deficiency. Chlorosis, or iron deficiency, occurs in high-calcium soils or high-alkaline soils that have a high pH value. You should then add iron to the soil.
A magnesium deficiency also sometimes occurs. This happens if the soil is slightly to very acidic and has a low pH value, in which case the leaves will become light green or yellowy-green. If so, you can give your plant magnesium.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Waggie palm

Advantages

• Trachycarpus Wagnerianus is winter hardy.
• It is also not very fussy about the moisture content of the soil.
• You only need to fertilize the palm tree once or twice a year.
• You can plant it in a pot, tub, or in the ground.
• Pruning is only needed if any leaves are brown/yellow or ugly-looking.

Disadvantages

• It’s best to water the plant using rainwater. There’s too much limescale in tap water and this can affect the palm roots.

Conclusion

We’re sure you’ve seen by now that a Trachycarpus Wagnerianus, or Waggie palm, is a wonderful asset for your garden, terrace, or balcony. Its tropical appearance gives you that permanent holiday feeling. It’s also strong and needs little maintenance, which makes it the ideal palm for you. Are you looking for a stunning Waggie palm for your garden or your office building? Order one of these today. If you have any questions, please contact our customer services.