Hemp palms are relatively easy to propagate through seeds. However, it requires a lot of patience and good preparation, since fertilized flowers are needed for propagation.
Hemp palms belong to the fan palms. With their fanned palm fronds, they not only create a holiday feeling in your own four walls, but also on the terrace or in the garden. Just imagine it: You are lying on a sun lounger in your garden and the palm fronds are above you - wonderful, isn't it?
But a plant alone does not create that South Seas feeling. It needs a few more palm trees for that. Nothing easier than that. Hemp palms can be easily propagated through their seeds. However, it will take some time before you finally have a slightly larger palm.
For propagation by seeds, you absolutely need pollinated flowers. However, these are only formed on the female hemp palms.
Male and female hemp palms - How to tell the difference
Hemp palms belong to the dioecious varieties. This means that a male and a female palm are required for the pollination of the flowers. Both have inflorescences that reach a length of 70 to 90 centimeters in mature hemp palms. You can tell from the texture and color of the inflorescences whether it is a male or female hemp palm.
The male palm has yellow colored, very dense petals. In the female palm, the petals are light green and more sparse. There are only fruits when the flowers have been pollinated and only on the female hemp palms.
The seeds form from December to January. After that, take off the inflorescences and let them dry well in a warm place until you can shake out the seeds.
» Tip: Seeds of the hemp palm are also available in stores, for example at Amazon:
Put seeds in potting soil and wait
1 In the spring, place the seeds in potting soil and cover with a thin layer of soil. Always keep the soil slightly moist and keep the pots warm. It can take up to a year for the seeds to germinate.
2 When the young seedling shows up, plant it,according to the growth, into a larger pot. The substrate should be slightly acidic. Use a mixture of garden soil, compost and peat and ensure loose, well-drained soil.
Caring for the seedling
3 The pot with the seedling is ideally placed in a bright and evenly warm place. In summer you can place the planter outdoors, while the delicate plant prefers to spend the winter months indoors. Sun is important, in the dark season you can help with a plant lamp.
It takes another three years for the seedling to develop into a hardy, real hemp palm. During this time, the palm tree should definitely spend the winter indoors.
4 A special fertilizer is not necessary, the compost in the soil provides enough nutrients. Hemp palms, on the other hand, need a relatively large amount of water. Make sure that the young root ball is always sufficiently moist. Water wisely - if the top layer of soil has dried out, you can give the plant a good watering.
The pot needs a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging.
» Tip: Hemp palms also thrive in containers without any problems. You can of course plant larger specimens in the garden.
The advantage of the tub: If you keep the hemp palm in tubs, you can easily put them in the house or in the conservatory in a bright place in winter. You should be particularly careful with young plants, because they are not winter-proof.