Germination and stuff

[The Palm Nut]

Got back from holidays in Queensland and brought back 6 coconuts which I managed to fell with the help of a friend. Believe me its not easy in a town like Gladstone. For one thing Gladstone is not in the tropics and seed is not easy to find particularly viable ones. There's not a short of palms, just that alot of them have unviable seed caused by drought or cold.

Now that Iam back in Port Macquarie I want to germinate these six as fast as possible before winter so I have decided to place all in a compose heap with a center core heat of 35C give or take a few degrees. At this temperature how long would you expect germination to take?

Iam heading off to Canada in a few days and wont be back for atleast a month, these seeds will need to be placed in pots soon after germination. What are my chances of being back in time?

Thanks

I also brought back a Ptychosperma sp. "Watu boho"

How much cold can these take?

Mike

[Brian]

Mike,

I wouldnt worry about being back in time for the cocos when they germinate.

Back in 2003 I collected around 40 cocos that had fallen on the ground and germinated in a coconut grove. I palce them in some sandy soil on my property until I had time to plant them.

All of them survived.

Here they are right after I collected them,

IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/brianexpa/MVC-687S.jpg

[Brian]

[Brian]

and here's what was left 2 months latter,

[Jeff Searle]

Mike,

   Thats a good way that Brian germinated the coconuts. It's that easy.

   My Pty. sp. wotoboho have taken down to 30-32 F. with no problems.

Jeff

[The Palm Nut]

Thanks Jeff and Brian.

My main concern was the germination, as I was providing heat through the compost, once the roots emerged moisture was void. The milk in the seed will keep it alive, but for how long?  

Mike

[The Palm Nut]

Here is a picture of the compost heap.

[The Palm Nut]

And as I dont live in the tropics I havent got the constant hot and humid days that I would like.

[sebastian]

Suprised you had so much trouble finding coconuts in Gladstone.

Here on fraser Island they grow and seed like weeds.

[Brian]

Mike,

It wont dry out. I dont know how long the milk last but I have seen several nuts on the ground with a meter long root sitting right on top of the ground in the hot sun, while the nut was pushing out its second or third leave. (this is how I collected mine)They are extremly tough at that age. I foresee your only problem being high heat and humidity that cocos demand once they are planted.

Good luck!

Brian

[Exotic Life]

Nice pic, from the germinated cocospalms

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Hi Mike

My P.Woto boto is growing in the garden so you should have no trouble at your place

regards

colin

[Tyrone]

I think you will have some germinated coconuts by the time you get back. Dehusked nuts from the supermarket take about 4 wks at 32C.

Best regards

Tyrone