Trachycarpus Seed Stalks

[Jesse PNW 323]

Are freshly harvested Trachy seed stalks subject to pests?  Squirrels, rats etc?  I assume if they're harvested (now) they need to "ripen" over the next few months before they can be planted?  Do they need to turn from blue to black or dry out before being planted?  

I assume sewing seed in bulk, it's not worth the trouble to remove the skin/fruit?  

Baggy method vs communal pot?  

These topics have probably been discussed here several times before but the PT search engine is difficult to navigate. 

[Jimhardy 520]

I like the baggie method because you don't have to guess if your seeds are sprouting

and it works really well...did I mention you can see the seeds and if they have sprouted??  haha

I am to impatient and would polk around in the soil if not looking for a sign of life/movement.

BTW

 

I think it would be interesting to plant a seed where you might want a palm some day

and see if it makes any difference although that(hardiness) can be hard to judge sometimes..

Edited January 13 by Jimhardy

[Chester B 2,612]

I cut some seed stalks off a Trachy in Beaverton a few years back in late January. I did 3 or 4 communal pots, ended up with 100 palms per pot. I did clean the seeds but I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. Kept them moist inside the house and they started sprouting within a couple weeks. Pretty darn easy. Don’t overthink it. 

[ShadyDan 231]

Yea they are super easy fresh. If they are a blue colour with some back in the mix they are good to go. Definitely do not let them dry out, fresh is best! I don't clean the seeds anymore, I just throw them in a community pot together with a 50/50 peat/perlite mix and have great success. Keep the pots moist and at room temperature and you should start seeing germination within a couple weeks.

I've never noticed any pests associated with the seed stalks, minus some small insects that you would expect to be crawling on anything vegetative.