Dictyosperma album v. conjugatum

[John in Andalucia 636]

Seeds were purchased a couple of months ago from RPS. Surprisingly slow, none germinated yet out of 200 seeds. I'm used to buying regular D. album direct from Reunion which sprout in just a couple of weeks. Has anyone had any luck with these yet? Is this variation notoriously slow? I de-lidded one last week which produced a tiny button, so perhaps this is a much slower palm.

[rozpalm 39]

I have two small ones in my garden and I would say they grow at about 1/2 the rate of the other varieties. They are well worth the wait though. They are one of my favorites. BTW, Mike Harris FM(Caribbean Palms) grows these so maybe he can give you some further insight.

[Tyrone 2,652]

I've had one come up from that batch, but it looked a lot different to the standard D album. I hope it doesn't have a problem. Where it came out of the seed it was red, and the spear and ligule etc was a brown colour like a red indica. It seemed solid, so I doubt it's a fungal thing. That was a week ago, so I'll check it again today and see if it's progressed. If it's all gooey I'll know it wasn't OK.

[Rafael 429]

None of mine (from maybe 6 weeks ago) has sprouted so far.

[John in Andalucia 636]

Thanks for the updates Daryl and Rafael. I hope this isn't going to be another refund situation. Whilst I compliment the RPS readiness to replace seeds, I find it a gross waste of time. Somewhat improper too, when their website states, All seeds are completely fresh and viable. Although that statement is quickly contradicted in the same paragraph, to highlight the variation in germination rates. Hence, "completely fresh and viable" takes on a meaning all of its own.

Thanks Ron, for your input. I'll be interested to hear more if Mike Harris reads this.

[Caribbean Palms 154]

I've had good luck with germination on fresh seed that I've picked myself. The shortest time for germination was FIVE WEEKS and this was in mid-summer hothouse heat.

The average time I've had is about 4 months for germination on D.album conjugatum/furfuracea. After the first germination I've had some 'pop' months later from seed I thought were spent.

Yes, they are slower than the 'regular' Hurricane but they are worth it!

Good luck.

[John in Andalucia 636]

I've had good luck with germination on fresh seed that I've picked myself. The shortest time for germination was FIVE WEEKS and this was in mid-summer hothouse heat.

The average time I've had is about 4 months for germination on D.album conjugatum/furfuracea. After the first germination I've had some 'pop' months later from seed I thought were spent.

Yes, they are slower than the 'regular' Hurricane but they are worth it!

Good luck.

That's encouraging, Mike. With 200 seeds in summer you expect at least one or two to open early. Needless to say, I'll probably find a few germinating the next time I look!

[Rafael 429]

I have just checked, and i have three sprouted seeds!

Not bad, so far, John!

[John in Andalucia 636]

I have just checked, and i have three sprouted seeds!

Not bad, so far, John!

I found today I have 3 as well Rafael. Maybe these are slow like K. olivifromis, which plod along sprouting in ones and two's all year long!

[Rafael 429]

Yes, maybe they are really slow, who can understand those timings??

I hope we will be able to type, in a few weeks, more new sproutings...

[Tyrone 2,652]

My one little one is opening it's first leaf. I bought 20 seeds. Maybe more will follow. I'm glad it wasn't going mouldy. Beautiful little seedling which I will nurture.

Best regards

Tyrone

[fan palm 175]

four months yesterday and still no sign of growth. i collected mine from under a mature parent tree. patience patience patience

[BermudaPalm 4]

I've been collecting D.Album for a while here. The best results I get is from fresh seeds, with a three day soak and completely removing the tight husk. The seeds look "marbled" when I have finished cleaning them.

I then place these in a small pot and place it over my Wireless modem (I've taken the temp. a consistent 95F). Germination starts at 3 weeks.

Here are some photos from this past weekend's preparation and planting.

Fresh seeds: After 3 day soak and fruit removed: Removal of the husk:

Seeding in a 3x3 pot: Labeled/Dated/soil mix:

A seedling planted in July:

[Walter John 219]

I love Dictyosperma album palms.

Good luck to you folk propagating and growing.

[John in Andalucia 636]

Thanks BermudaPalm - an appropriate topic bump. I finally have 22 out of 200 seeds germinated of v. conjugatum. Something tells me that's not a bad result for this variant.

[Tyrone 2,652]

I ended up with 9 from 20 seeds from the RPS batch. I'm happy with that.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Rafael 429]

I have 7 in 20 sprouted seeds, also from RPS. The others seem to be dead...

[fan palm 175]

my seeds were just starting to sprout before i went overseas for 3 weeks, they were misted too much by our house sitter and they surcumbed to fungus

[ariscott 48]

I like even the normal D. album :)

Regards, Ari

[olivier971 753]

A conjugatum, here in La Reunion Island, for the pleasure

[Tyrone 2,652]

A conjugatum, here in La Reunion Island, for the pleasure

NICE

[Caribbean Palms 154]

My D. album var. conjugatum did fine throuight this weeks 29 F degrees, but the Satakentia liukiunesis didn't. These had a little overhead protection from the other trees and have been in the ground for three years. However....

these three year old plants are in 3 gallon pots in the nursery with no overhead protection and didn't fare as well. Some were scorched and others nearby weren't touched.