How to germinate Cycas siamensis Dwarf seeds

[PalmatierMeg]

Today I received seeds of Cycas siamensis Dwarf. I haven't germinated cycad seeds before so can someone give me germination instructions? Do I treat them as if they were palm seeds: soak 24-48 hours, sow in community pot, cover with a thin layer of potting mix? Thanks for any help.

These are the seeds I received.

[Brian]

I soak them in water with a bit of bleach for 24 hours and then lay them on their side in pumice. You can push them down about half way into the pumice. Leave the top half uncovered. I only water once the bottom of the seed starts to dry out. Make sure you have good air flow in the germination area. They will eventually split open and a small root will start to appear. At this time I lay the seed root down on a course mix. They dont need much water so dont keep the medium wet. 

Good luck,

 

[jimmyt]

16 minutes ago, Brian said:

I soak them in water with a bit of bleach for 24 hours and then lay them on their side in pumice. You can push them down about half way into the pumice. Leave the top half uncovered. I only water once the bottom of the seed starts to dry out. Make sure you have good air flow in the germination area. They will eventually split open and a small root will start to appear. At this time I lay the seed root down on a course mix. They dont need much water so dont keep the medium wet. 

Good luck,

 

I agree with Brian.   I have germinated several different cycads in the past.  I did not use pumice but did use well draining potting mix or 50%/50% perlite and vermiculite mix so that it would drain will.  Damp not wet.   Don't bury or cover the seeds.  About 1/2 of the seed into the mix on its side.  Warmth like palm seeds and then wait.   I am a dummy and I did it fairly successfully(more than once). 

[5150cycad]

Good advice from both Brian and James. Although some of this has already been mentioned, this is my process:

Like Brian, I first soak the seeds overnight in a concentration of water and bleach. (I use very little amount of bleach). I then  put a light coat of fungicide on the seeds before laying them down in the medium. Push the seeds halfway down in your medium exposing the top half of the seed. Never overwater your seeds or they will rot. I have had great success with using only pumice as my medium. Pumice retains moisture very well and makes it more difficult to overwater. As mentioned above only water the seeds when the bottom of the seeds start to dry out. I germinate my seeds in seed containers which are just cheap clear plastic containers that have solid color lids. These are nice because they trap the warmth and humidity needed for seed germination. Once the seeds start to sprout I transfer them from the containers to tall liner containers with a mixture of 50% palm and cactus mix and 50% pumice, although any course mix will work just fine. Use tall containers and not 1 gallon containers because Cycads have very long taproots. 

There are so many different methods for germinating seeds that all work very well. Eventually you will find the method that works best for you.

PS: please post pictures down the road so we can see your success. 

Good luck!! 

[Brian]

Just found this photo of some C. multifrondis seeds that I was germinating last year. C siamensis can be treated the same way. These were from a cone from one of my plants so I didnt spend too much time cleaning, organizing and naming them. 

[5150cycad]

17 hours ago, Brian said:

Just found this photo of some C. multifrondis seeds that I was germinating last year. C siamensis can be treated the same way. These were from a cone from one of my plants so I didnt spend too much time cleaning, organizing and naming them. 

Looks like u had good germination too

[PalmatierMeg]

Thanks for the info. I put seeds in water to soak last night. I believe I might soak them in 3% hydrogen peroxide to disinfect then let them dry overnight. Finally, I will roll them in garden dust to dissuade fungus. I decided to use clean pumice soaked in water as a germinating medium but haven't settled upon a container. I'm thinking of using a large Glad food storage container with lid and punch a few holes in the bottom drain excess water from the pumice. After adding drained pumice I will nestle seeds halfway into the pumice and place them in my garden house with the lid cracked open for ventilation. The temps are still unusually warm for Nov and I can always bring the container indoors is lows plummet. My understanding is that germination will take 3+ months or so.

[PalmatierMeg]

About two weeks ago I set up my Cycas siamensis seeds for germination. This is my setup. I keep them moist but not soaked in a plastic container of fresh pumice, mist them with filtered water when pumice looks a bit dry. No germinations yet but I'm hopeful

Seeds

Materials

Germination underway

[SHEP]

Does anyway use bottom heat, and, if so, at temperature?  Or, in a covered container for humidity?  Or is the answer- It depends...  Cecile

[PalmatierMeg]

No bottom heat. I have been keeping the container in the garage with cover on to hold humidity. They dryer vents through the garage so throws out heat too.

[5150cycad]

On 11/21/2018, 1:35:04, PalmatierMeg said:

About two weeks ago I set up my Cycas siamensis seeds for germination. This is my setup. I keep them moist but not soaked in a plastic container of fresh pumice, mist them with filtered water when pumice looks a bit dry. No germinations yet but I'm hopeful

Seeds

Materials

Germination underway

Your setup looks great. Some Cycad seeds can take months to germinate so definitely be patient. I germinated Encephalartos ferox seeds and I think it took 3-4 months to germinate. It’s very exciting when they start to pop though. Good luck. 

[Jor04]

Hi!

My cycas siamensis seeds arrived 3 months ago but they don't germinate. Even though, they are open, so I'm hoping them to germinate one day. Is this normal? Thanks.