Jump to content
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LOGGING IN ×
  • WELCOME GUEST

    It looks as if you are viewing PalmTalk as an unregistered Guest.

    Please consider registering so as to take better advantage of our vast knowledge base and friendly community.  By registering you will gain access to many features - among them are our powerful Search feature, the ability to Private Message other Users, and be able to post and/or answer questions from all over the world. It is completely free, no “catches,” and you will have complete control over how you wish to use this site.

    PalmTalk is sponsored by the International Palm Society. - an organization dedicated to learning everything about and enjoying palm trees (and their companion plants) while conserving endangered palm species and habitat worldwide. Please take the time to know us all better and register.

    guest Renda04.jpg

Which species can still be germinated even from older seeds?


palm tree man

Recommended Posts

I know many of us have gotten seed whether it was from a broker or a kind and generous friend. Life sometimes happen and we don't get to germinate those seeds. This brings the question to mind, which species are worth attempting to germinate when older and which are simply not. We all know the 24 hour soaking trick in water with a small amount of bleach and to scare some seeds, but which species simply keep there viability longer? Date palms for example have been germinated from seed thousands of years old. Mazari palms are slow to germinate but because of their habitat tend to be viable much longer. Other desert or seasonally dry habitat palms are very similar. I myself have thousands of seeds that are four years old and have asked this very question many times, "am I wasting my time and precious resources trying to germinate these seeds" plain and simple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some palms take like 5 years to germinate, such as Acrocomia. Many germinate in the compost pile.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have had that problem with Jubaea and Parajubaea as well. Thanks Dave! I love the profile pic by the way; yaba daba dooooooooooo!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I say stick them in community pots and see what pops up.....what do you have to lose?

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At this point they have been paid for for four years, so absolutely nothing! lol I might ground plant some as well on the floor of the greenhouse; all my plants are moving out of there for the spring and summer anyway. I have a few different Brahea; I think that they will be ok. Dypsis Scottiana and Prestonia, I am doubtful about being as old as they currently are. I have already put 500 each of Syagrus Rom "silver queen", dypsis ambositrae, phonenix loureiroi var loureiroi might be ok if they are like common date palms. Anyway, thanks guys for the input. Should I scar the seeds or crack any shells, etc. ?

Edited by palm tree man
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know many of us have gotten seed whether it was from a broker or a kind and generous friend. Life sometimes happen and we don't get to germinate those seeds. This brings the question to mind, which species are worth attempting to germinate when older and which are simply not. We all know the 24 hour soaking trick in water with a small amount of bleach and to scare some seeds, but which species simply keep there viability longer? Date palms for example have been germinated from seed thousands of years old. Mazari palms are slow to germinate but because of their habitat tend to be viable much longer. Other desert or seasonally dry habitat palms are very similar. I myself have thousands of seeds that are four years old and have asked this very question many times, "am I wasting my time and precious resources trying to germinate these seeds" plain and simple.

I have managed to bring to germinaton seeds in dried up fruits of Hyphaena thebaica, sold for tea making.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Daniel, you wouldn't happen to have any Brahea clara "icy blue" would you?

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jubes sprout quickly if you heat them up. I used a heating pad . . .

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have Armata, Clara, and Super Silver. I might have Edulis or some others as well. There is still one bag that I have not opened yet. Super Silver has never been damaged at my location do to any cold weather. It appears to be pretty hardy and can also handle our humidity fairly well too which surprised me a little. A heating pad has worked wonders in the past and so has placing the baggies on top of the fridge or dryer. I had eight out of ten jubaeopsis caffra germinate about eight years ago.

Edited by palm tree man
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have old germination beds that I know for sure have butia capitata seeds that germinated 2-3 years after I sowed the seeds. They are known for it but I would try and plant any old seeds I had.

Edited by bbrantley
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am going to plant them all and use several different methods and see what works best with each species. As far as I know, no real study has been done on this intentionally anyway. It has become a necessity for me because I have many seeds in storage that have a ticking shelf life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a great question. I have hundreds of Rhapidophyllum hystrix seeds that I collected about 3 years ago that I never got around to germinating. I've left them outside, in the shade, in the elements. I would assume they would probably mostly be no good anymore, but I'm going to stick them in pots this year anyways and see if I get a few sprouts. I also have thousands of seeds of other species in bags that have been in storage for over 5 years that I probably need to do something with, LOL.

Edited by Frank - Knoxville
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Me too it wasn't by choice but by circumstances. I thought only desert or species that were from harsher environments would keep for a few years but my first to start has been dypsis prestoniana. Float them and soak them and plant them is what I say.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...