Germinating Lepidorrachis mooreana seeds

[Perito]

I've got some Lepidorrachis seeds on the way in the mail and was wondering if anyone has had good success germinating this species and if you could share your experience?

[Dan OKeeffe]

I've got some Lepidorrachis seeds on the way in the mail and was wondering if anyone has had good success germinating this species and if you could share your experience?

I purchased some Lepidorrachis seeds couple years back and it died on me shortly after the initial spike. However, I heard people had good luck just sticking them in a bag with starter seed mix. Then walk away for a year plus. I would try to pick some up some germinated one from ortanique.

Fyi If you are try to grow these in SLO keep them in a cool spot. I am very familiar with SLO. I bet they will do well in Los Osos or Morro Bay. My seedlings are thriving in the cool SF climate. Good luck!

[Perito]

I've got some Lepidorrachis seeds on the way in the mail and was wondering if anyone has had good success germinating this species and if you could share your experience?

I purchased some Lepidorrachis seeds couple years back and it died on me shortly after the initial spike. However, I heard people had good luck just sticking them in a bag with starter seed mix. Then walk away for a year plus. I would try to pick some up some germinated one from ortanique.

Fyi If you are try to grow these in SLO keep them in a cool spot. I am very familiar with SLO. I bet they will do well in Los Osos or Morro Bay. My seedlings are thriving in the cool SF climate. Good luck!

Thanks Dan- I live in Grover Beach; Plenty of fog here.

[BS Man about Palms]

I'd like to get a good sized one somewhere...

[Caryota_gigas]

paitence is the key with this one...

[Caryota_gigas]

In Auckland, New Zealand

[PalmGuyWC]

Does anyone have a trunking Lepidorrachis? This palm would be limited to very cool (not cold) climates such as San Francisco.

Dick

[BS Man about Palms]

Here is a very poor picture (it was dark) of one that Pauleen Sullivan has in coastal southern California.

[Darold Petty]

I have germinated Lepidorrhachis three times. They rot easily; keep them just moist and do not use bottom heat. After 6 months you can expect about 30% germination. The seedlings are difficult, with a high mortality but become much more stable after two or three leaves.

Here is my FORMER plant. This palm grew from a seedling to adult in 16 years. It had 36 cm (14") of trunk with diameter of 12 cm (4.75"). This plant died two years ago from parasitic nematodes, (genus Meloidogyne and Hemicycliophora). I plan to start a new thread in a few weeks to discuss the threat of theses worms to residential gardens.

[Pivi]

oh my.

Darold, i see you have other magnificent palms. Please show us more!

[quaman58]

Darold,

That was a nice one, sorry you lost it.

Perito,

I have an approximately 5 year old plant that I'm preparing to get into the ground in spring. It's a good grower, putting out three leaves a year. I also got some (10) germinated seedlings this past spring from Ortanique. They all had two leaves and all are growing nicely. They also seem to be able to handle more warmth than some might think. Imagine the ideal fern garden conditions, and Lepidorrhachis seems to thrive there.

Bret

[Perito]

Darold,

That was a nice one, sorry you lost it.

Perito,

I have an approximately 5 year old plant that I'm preparing to get into the ground in spring. It's a good grower, putting out three leaves a year. I also got some (10) germinated seedlings this past spring from Ortanique. They all had two leaves and all are growing nicely. They also seem to be able to handle more warmth than some might think. Imagine the ideal fern garden conditions, and Lepidorrhachis seems to thrive there.

Bret

Thanks Darold for the advise and I'm curious now about the Nematodes. I did'nt know they could present a problem for Palms. I've germinated Hedyscepe seeds in community pots on heat mats and that worked quite well ( most had germinated after 5 months ). Will bottom heat for Lepidorrachis increase chance of Damp off?

Bret- Ortanique isn't currently offering germinated Lepidorrachis, I hope yours does well for you in your area.

Caryota_gigas- now thats a nice specimen; did you start that from seed and how old is it?

[richnorm]

I have germinated Lepidorrhachis three times. They rot easily; keep them just moist and do not use bottom heat. After 6 months you can expect about 30% germination. The seedlings are difficult, with a high mortality but become much more stable after two or three leaves.

Here is my FORMER plant. This palm grew from a seedling to adult in 16 years. It had 36 cm (14") of trunk with diameter of 12 cm (4.75"). This plant died two years ago from parasitic nematodes, (genus Meloidogyne and Hemicycliophora). I plan to start a new thread in a few weeks to discuss the threat of theses worms to residential gardens.

I would add that germination continues for several years so don't give up.

So sorry to hear that Darold. It can't be much more than two years since I saw that palm. I was quite taken aback when it caught my eye! Sudden death of these palms at an advanced stage is not uncommon here so it is encouraging that you have identified a cause and are sharing this information.

I have some Pachystegia insignis seeds for you - it took a while to locate some! I can't seem to get you on email for your postal address. Mine is richnorm@slingshot.co.nz The bonsai nikau will get to you one day but the pigeons keep getting in before me!

Cheers

Richard

[Caryota_gigas]

Caryota_gigas- now thats a nice specimen; did you start that from seed and how old is it?

I dont know how old that particular plant is as it is not mine, it is at Landsendt up the road.

Here is a pic of my one and only (Which I didnt grow from seed either)... This is the sort of plant where if someone offers you one at a good price... BUY IT... it will save a lot of time and heartache with the seeds and seedlings.

[Darold Petty]

Perito; I didn't use bottom heat and would not recommend it for Lepidorrachis seeds. I use the pot method with a medium of 65% perlite and 35% peat in a 4" pot with the seeds nearly at the top, just covered by their own diameter. I don't separate the germinated plants until they have two leaves.

Richard; I was away from home for a month. I just responded to your direct e-mail. Thank you so much for the seeds!

Pivi; here's one more image from my garden!

Ceroxylon parvifrons, 17 years from seed in San Francisco

[Kelern]

Hello Darold,

Last time I saw your Ceroxylon parvifrons was in 1998, it was trunkless, three feet tall with beautiful dark green leaves with a brown tomentum on the reverse side. It has grown nicely since then!. I just ordered two dozen seeds from RPS, it's the first time I see those to sell and hope to acclimatize it in my cool and wet oceanic climate.

Cheers

Yves

[Perito]

Perito; I didn't use bottom heat and would not recommend it for Lepidorrachis seeds. I use the pot method with a medium of 65% perlite and 35% peat in a 4" pot with the seeds nearly at the top, just covered by their own diameter. I don't separate the germinated plants until they have two leaves.

Richard; I was away from home for a month. I just responded to your direct e-mail. Thank you so much for the seeds!

Pivi; here's one more image from my garden!

Ceroxylon parvifrons, 17 years from seed in San Francisco

Thanks Darold for your advise! I saw your photos of the Parajubaea cocoides, and Ceroxylon parvifrons. Awesome! How long have these been in the ground? I hope my cocoides comes close to that some day. I noticed that on P. torallyi the leaves 'weep' whereas on my P.cocoides they haven't had that tendency yet. Does that hold true as they mature? Thanks again- Perito