{"product_id":"washingtonia-filifera-5-stk","title":"California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) | seeds, 10 pcs.","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eDanish names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Californisk viftepalme, ørkenviftepalme, trådpalme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish names:\u003c\/strong\u003e California fan palm, Desert fan palm, California Washingtonia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is an impressive North American fan palm with a sturdy trunk and a dense crown of large, grey-green to green fan-shaped leaves. The species is particularly known for the numerous light, thread-like fibers that peel off along the leaf segments – a characteristic that has given the plant the species name \u003cem\u003efilifera\u003c\/em\u003e, which roughly translates to \"thread-bearing\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe palm is native to desert regions in the southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico, where it grows naturally around springs, in oases, and along watercourses. It is a characteristic sight in California's desert oases, among other places. Even though the surroundings can be extremely dry and hot, the palms grow precisely in places where their roots have stable access to water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder good conditions, \u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e can reach about 15-20 meters in height and develops a very thick trunk with age, which is clearly thicker than that of the closely related Mexican fan palm. Old leaves can hang down along the trunk like a dense \"skirt\" if they are not removed, giving older, naturally growing palms a very characteristic appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is closely related to the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/washingtonia-robusta-5-stk\" title=\"Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) | seeds\"\u003eMexican fan palm (\u003cem\u003eWashingtonia robusta\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e. The Mexican fan palm typically grows taller and develops a significantly slimmer trunk, while \u003cem\u003eW. filifera\u003c\/em\u003e has a more massive growth habit and generally more of the characteristic white fibers on the leaves. At the same time, \u003cem\u003eW. filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is the most cold-tolerant of the two and is therefore of particular interest to palm enthusiasts in cooler climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two forms can cross-breed with each other, and the hybrid is often referred to as \u003cem\u003eWashingtonia\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003efilibusta\u003c\/em\u003e. It combines features from both parents to varying degrees, and hybrids in cultivation can therefore make it more difficult to distinguish between the two classic Washingtonia types based on appearance alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are fascinated by fan palms and other exciting palm species, you can explore our entire \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/collections\/palmefro\" title=\"selection of palm seeds\"\u003eselection of palm seeds\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCultivation and requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is naturally adapted to very sunny and hot growing sites, but it also needs access to water to develop optimally. It prefers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eFull sun and as much light as possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eA well-drained, preferably mineral or sandy soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eRegular watering during the growing season with light drying between waterings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eA warm and sheltered growing site\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eLess water during the cool part of the year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe species is considered one of the more cold-tolerant fan palms. Established plants can withstand short-term frost down to about -8 to -10 °C under good, dry conditions, but hardiness depends heavily on the plant's age, the duration of the frost, and especially winter humidity. Young plants are considerably more sensitive. See also our entire selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/collections\/hardfore-planter-til-det-danske-klima-1\" title=\"Hardy plants\"\u003ehardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Danish conditions, cultivation in a pot with cool and sheltered overwintering is the safest solution. Attempts at planting out should be done in a very sunny, well-drained, and sheltered location with the possibility of winter protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCultivation from seeds\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeds of \u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e are relatively easy to germinate and can advantageously be soaked in lukewarm water for 24-48 hours before sowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eSow in an airy and well-drained seed compost (the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/blogs\/nyheder\/pose-spire-metoden\" title=\"Bag germination method\"\u003ebag germination method\u003c\/a\u003e can alternatively be used)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eCover the seeds with approximately 0.5-1 cm of seed compost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the temperature around 25-30 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the soil slightly moist, but not wet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eThe seeds do not require cold stratification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder good conditions, the first seeds can germinate after a few weeks, but germination can be irregular. Sowing should therefore be kept, even if all seeds do not germinate at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung plants develop relatively long roots early on. Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/palmepotte-1-8-liter\" title=\"Palm pots\"\u003etall palm pots\u003c\/a\u003e are therefore suitable when the small palms need more space for their further root development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e- You may also see our article on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/blogs\/nyheder\/spiring-af-palmefro\" title=\"Article on germination of palm seeds\"\u003egermination of palm seeds\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUtility and collector value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly interesting as a true desert oasis palm. Its natural habitats show in a fascinating way that a plant can be adapted to extreme heat and dry air without necessarily being drought-tolerant at the roots. Natural populations are closely tied to permanent or relatively stable water sources in the middle of otherwise very dry landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe large fan leaves, sturdy trunks, and hanging layers of old leaves also have great ecological significance. In old palms, the dead leaves create sheltered cavities and hiding places that can be utilized by various animals in the North American desert oases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the palm collector, \u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is especially interesting because of the combination of a classic exotic palm look and relatively good tolerance to cool temperatures. Compared to \u003cem\u003eWashingtonia robusta\u003c\/em\u003e, it grows more vigorously in width and attains a robust, almost monumental appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWashingtonia filifera\u003c\/em\u003e is therefore an exciting choice for anyone who wants to grow a large and characterful fan palm from seed – and not least for palm enthusiasts who are interested in more cold-tolerant species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"a Piece of Nature","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44124478308620,"sku":"EF-PA-021","price":4.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/6728\/8588\/products\/Washingtoniafilifera.jpg?v=1675862010","url":"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/en-bg\/products\/washingtonia-filifera-5-stk","provider":"a Piece of Nature","version":"1.0","type":"link"}