Pseudophoenix seed care

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

I have about 25 fresh pseudophoenix Sargenti seeds I harvested locally once they turned red. I have cleaned them of the fruit pulp (serious pain). I want to ensure the best germination rate and also do what is necessary to make the young seedlings happy. I am considering the bag method on a heat mat with damp perlite. Any suggestions from those with experience germinating these and handling the young seedlings?

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

Bump. Nitsua and myself need to know. We are sitting with ripe seed and time is of the essence. 

[NatureGirl]

Pseudophoenix are easy to sprout once you know a few things. First of all. After you have cleaned the fruit off, you must let them dry for a couple days. Once they are dry you need to 'crack' and remove outer shell. If you don't remove the outer shell you'll only get about 10% germination, once removed I get about 90% or move. The shells are easy to remove. My method is to but them on some newspaper on a concrete surface (l use my sidewalk). Gently roll them around with your foot (shoe on) applying light pressure. You'll hear them 'crack' then remove.  Now soak the seeds for a couple days. I do use the baggie method this time of year simply because it's winter and that's usually when Pseudophoenix seeds are ripe.                                                                    

Baggie Method- Soak Spaghum Moss in a container with water. This is Spaghum moss that you use for orchids NOT Canadian Peat Moss. Take handfuls out and squeeze  out excess water so that it is moist but not wet. Plant seeds, put on heating mat. They'll sprout a root in about 4 to 6 weeks. When the root gets about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long then I transfer to a community pot containing half Canadian Peat Moss/half perlite. Here's a pic of my setup.

[mike in kurtistown]

I used to work with Pseudophoenix seeds when I lived in Florida a decade ago. I used to remove both inner and outer shells at the same time by using a pair of pliers to squeeze the seed enough to crack the inner shell. I germinated them in a community pot with ordinary potting soil, so that's an option tho possibly not the best option. I had "reasonable" germination rates.

[nitsua0895]

5 hours ago, NatureGirl said:

Pseudophoenix are easy to sprout once you know a few things. First of all. After you have cleaned the fruit off, you must let them dry for a couple days. Once they are dry you need to 'crack' and remove outer shell. If you don't remove the outer shell you'll only get about 10% germination, once removed I get about 90% or move. The shells are easy to remove. My method is to but them on some newspaper on a concrete surface (l use my sidewalk). Gently roll them around with your foot (shoe on) applying light pressure. You'll hear them 'crack' then remove.  Now soak the seeds for a couple days. I do use the baggie method this time of year simply because it's winter and that's usually when Pseudophoenix seeds are ripe.                                                                    

Baggie Method- Soak Spaghum Moss in a container with water. This is Spaghum moss that you use for orchids NOT Canadian Peat Moss. Take handfuls out and squeeze  out excess water so that it is moist but not wet. Plant seeds, put on heating mat. They'll sprout a root in about 4 to 6 weeks. When the root gets about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long then I transfer to a community pot containing half Canadian Peat Moss/half perlite. Here's a pic of my setup.

Here's a photo of the small bag I put Sphagnum Moss in. Would it be okay to plant 20 seeds in it or would that be too many? 

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

11 hours ago, NatureGirl said:

Pseudophoenix are easy to sprout once you know a few things. First of all. After you have cleaned the fruit off, you must let them dry for a couple days. Once they are dry you need to 'crack' and remove outer shell. If you don't remove the outer shell you'll only get about 10% germination, once removed I get about 90% or move. The shells are easy to remove. My method is to but them on some newspaper on a concrete surface (l use my sidewalk). Gently roll them around with your foot (shoe on) applying light pressure. You'll hear them 'crack' then remove.  Now soak the seeds for a couple days. I do use the baggie method this time of year simply because it's winter and that's usually when Pseudophoenix seeds are ripe.                                                                    

Baggie Method- Soak Spaghum Moss in a container with water. This is Spaghum moss that you use for orchids NOT Canadian Peat Moss. Take handfuls out and squeeze  out excess water so that it is moist but not wet. Plant seeds, put on heating mat. They'll sprout a root in about 4 to 6 weeks. When the root gets about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long then I transfer to a community pot containing half Canadian Peat Moss/half perlite. Here's a pic of my setup.

Thank you! 

[NatureGirl]

It's hard to tell how big your baggie is from the pic, but if it's 'sandwich' size, that's perfect.

[NatureGirl]

Just opened my Pseudophoenix baggie this morning and this is what I found.......germination!

Soon they'll be ready to put in community pots.