How to Propagate Rhapis excelsa (3 Ways of Lady Palm Propagation)
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Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a spectacular fan palm which is easily propagated from offshoots or by division. Seeds can also be germinated though they take long.
Lady Palm produces fronds which are split into numerous segments radiating from a point at the base (fan-like segments like ladies fan), the segments may be entirely or only partly divided.
Lady Palm propagation can be done in 3 ways; from offshoots, by division or from seeds. We have herebelow outlined these propagation methods.
1. How to propagate Lady Palm from offshoots
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) propagation from offshoots;
Water the Lady Palm thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to seperate the offshoot and also hasten its establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
With a sharp sterilized knife or scissors, carefully seperate the offshoot from the mother plant. Ensure the offshoot has adequate roots before seperating it from the mother.
Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the base of the Lady Palm offshoot.
Place the Lady Palm offshoot in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the offshoot at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place. Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
2. How to propagate Lady Palm by plant division
How to divide Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa);
Water the Lady Palm thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the Lady Palm out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections by cutting through the rhizome with a sharp clean knife.
Carefully pull apart the roots and ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten establishment.
Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with free-draining potting soil and make a hole in the center of the pot.
Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
3. How to propagate Lady Palm from seeds
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) seed propagation; Seed germination is difficult and may take up to 4-6 months. It also requires that the soil be kept moist through out the period.
Fill the rooting container with loose, free-draining potting mix and slightly moisten the soil.
Sow the Lady Palm seeds in the moist soil and cover the seeds slightly with soil. Do not bury them too deep to hasten germination.
Cover the set up with polythene cover to create a greenhouse effect and place in a well-lit, warm place at about 300C. Warmth and humidity are important for germination.
Keep the soil moist through out the period until germination of the seeds takes place. Germination may take upto 4-6 weeks.
Lower the temperature slightly after germination and maintain the soil moist until the new Lady Palms are well established after which you can begin routine care.
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