Why Are Filifera Seedlings Dying?

10 years ago

I'm trying to grow some W. Filiferas from seed, but I'm doing something wrong; can you help me?

I'm in Lubbock, TX (Zone 7a), and it's been HOT lately (+105f). I originally had trouble with seedlings being knocked over by the wind, so I built this little greenhouse. They have steadily been dying, and I think it's water-related.

They are planted in a (roughly) 80/20 coir/sand mix, but I'm experimenting with a few; they're in a 80/20 sand/coir mix.

I'm thoroughly watering them about twice per week. They seem to flop over, and never come back. The last pic shows the bottom of a dead seedling; you can see how the trunk is hollow and flat.

What do y'all think? Too much or too little water?

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Comments (6)

loppyshingers
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's what my little operation looks like.
loppyshingers
Original Author
10 years ago
The inside of the greenhouse
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loppyshingers
Original Author
10 years ago
This seedling was lying down in the morning.
loppyshingers
Original Author
10 years ago
Here you can seed that the base of the trunk is hollow and flat. Is this the result of under-watering?

This post was edited by loppyshingers on Tue, Aug 13, 13 at 14:01
us_marine
10 years ago
How humid is your climate? CA fan palms arn't too happy in humid climates. They often die. The temps are fine though. It might be that your watering too much or the soil still holds too much moisture. Does the soil dry out before you water again?

- US_Marine
loppyshingers
Original Author
10 years ago
West Texas has very low humidity. I usually wait until the top inch or two is dry before I water. After reading about Filiferas growing in creeks, I'm thinking that my problem is under-watering.