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Germinating Palm Tree Seeds Question
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Posted by dcleaves (My Page) on Sun, Jan 24, 10 at 12:03
| Over the past 3 months, I was fortunate to travel to both Hawaii and Florida, and brought back a variety of fresh palm tree seeds from trees at each location. The seeds include some cabbage palms, Christmas palms, a gray fan palm (with a rather large seed), date palms, as well as some Trachy seeds that I received from a generous guy online. In trying to get the seeds to germinate, I've planted some in soil, and I've placed some in baggies and sphagnum moss that I keep in a warm area of the basement. My question is, for the seeds germinating in baggies, how long should I wait after they start to send a root out before placing them in soil? I had a few cabbage palm and Trachy seeds that quickly began to root, and I transfered them into soil (an even mix of seeding soil and Miracle-Gro Palm Soil) when the roots were only a quarter to a half inch in length. After about 3 weeks, I checked a few of them that were transplanted into the soil, and it seems as though all the roots had dried up. I had been adding a little water daily or at least every other day, so I'm not sure if they dried out because they didn't get enough or too much water, or if I took them out of the baggies too soon. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Dave |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Germinating Palm Tree Seeds Question
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For germinating palm seeds(fresh is best in most cases),I like to use perlite or perlite and quarter sand mixture.
Something I have learned for sprouting Tree fern spores is that it is a VERY good idea to sterilize the mixture.
I find boiling the perlite mixture in(closed container-lid on) water works.
Then let it cool and use a strainer to lift the perlite out.Next,drop it in the pre-labeled baggies,it should have the proper moisture this way.
Then wait and in some cases(Needle palms,some Trachy seeds,etc),wait and wait.
I find that once the first spear leaf pins out of the root sheath and gets 1/2"-1" is a good time to pot up. We are getting close now to warmer weather so they should have a healthy little leaf going just in time to enjoy some dabbled sunlight in spring/summer. I have about 200 hundred Chamaerops,Butia and Phoenix laureirii X canariensis seeds/seedlings entering this stage now-In fact it's funny you posted this now cuz I was just going through the process and JUST finished potting up a C.volcano and C.h.rigida blue form-hope this helps- (-: Good luck! 
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RE: Germinating Palm Tree Seeds Question
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| Jimhardy, Thank you for the advice. This actually changes my overall approach. I thought that the purpose of the baggie was just to get the root started, so I had the baggies laying horizontally to get greater surface area for the seeds to contact the sphagnum moss. If I need to keep them in the baggies until the first spear leaf comes out, then I need to reorient them vertically with more depth to accomodate the root development. Below is a photo of some Trachy seeds and a Windmill Palm seed starting to send out their roots. Dave |
Here is a link that might be useful: Developing roots
RE: Germinating Palm Tree Seeds Question
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| DCLEAVES, it sounds like the roots did not get enough water! when i get the root out of the seed i put it in a 1g. pot right away but i use a method similiar to JIMHARDY with the perlite but i use vermiculite. but i aim towards keeping the soil moist at all times but not to moist to where it looks wet! check the top soil with ur finger to make sure its moist & dig ur finger in it alittle. i let the top dry between waterings but not completely dry. hope this helps! goodluck |
RE: Germinating Palm Tree Seeds Question
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| James760, Thank you for your advice. I think you are right about the soil getting too dry. I found a palm seed germinating site online which recommends placing a clear, light plastic disk on top of the soil to reduce the rate of drying out, but still allowing air in and allowing you to see when the seedling begins to break through the soil. I have several Trachycarpus and Sabal Palmetto seeds with nice roots starting that I moved out of their starting baggies and into soil this evening to try the method. Best regards. Dave |
RE: Germinating Palm Tree Seeds Question
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| Don't worry to much about moving them into soil fast,unless you want to. Some of my seedlings have 3-4" roots and 1 1/2" spears on them right now,I am just waiting to get enough to fill the pots with 9 seedlings at a time.
With 280+ seedlings I can't afford to plant in individual pots! < |
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