Mapu germination

[Peter Pacific]

Hi all,

Can anyone give me some tips on germinating Mapu seeds? Right now I have them in rich, germinating mix with bottom heat. I live on the Pacific coast of Guatemala and would appreciate any help members can offer. Thanks, Peter

[Really full garden]

Peter has a beautiful home and garden down the beach from me with an ever growing palm collection.I just hope he remembers me when all those Mapu seeds germinate.

[Breadfruit Bill]

Peter, sounds like you've done what your supposed to do. From there just keep em' moist and don't keep track of time!

[Joe palma]

Peter, if they are in trays, I would cover them w/ black plastic to keep the humidity in. They love humidity and hate So Cal!

I have purchased some clear humidity domes for my trays, so the seedlings get to grow up a bit before removing the covers.

Of course, you may have plenty of humidity in your air and it isn't an issue!

Joe

[Gbarce]

THey are sporadic in germinating-- sometimes you get lucky and they pop in 2 months but unfortunately most take a LOOOOOOONNNGGG time to germinate -- as in 8 months or more. The books say that for Licualas they germinate even after 3 years from sowing.

I guess you should use germinating that won't break down even after a years in the bag/box and retains the proper moisture level well. Over here I use coco peat and its ok so far but I have been told that it tends to break down and turn mushy after a while so I have to watch out for that. Also I noticed that a white web like growth developes in the box- which I assume is fungal growth so I have to watch out for that too.

For long term germinators I have experimented with "dusting" seeds with powdered fungicide just as a precaution. Actually I mix Dithane ( a locally available powder form fungicide) in water and roll seeds in so tha they only get a very thin coat of the powder before I put them in the germination box / bag.

Like Piouspalms said don't keep track of teh time--that's the most agonizing part.

Good luck

[Peter Pacific]

Peter has a beautiful home and garden down the beach from me with an ever growing palm collection.I just hope he remembers me when all those Mapu seeds germinate.

Scott has an incredible garden...on the beach... and has been an inspiration not only to me but countless Guatemalans and residents of Guatemala. I have been the lucky recipient of several of his palms including Dypsis decaryi, latania loddigesii, wodyetia bifurcata, and most recently a brahea armata. Thanks Scott, see you soon. Peter

[Peter Pacific]

Peter, sounds like you've done what your supposed to do. From there just keep em' moist and don't keep track of time!

Thanks, Pious (William), I´ll keep you posted!

[Peter Pacific]

Peter, if they are in trays, I would cover them w/ black plastic to keep the humidity in. They love humidity and hate So Cal!

I have purchased some clear humidity domes for my trays, so the seedlings get to grow up a bit before removing the covers.

Of course, you may have plenty of humidity in your air and it isn't an issue!

Joe

Thanks for the reply Joe, actually I have them in ziplocs but thanks for the tip about the black plastic...and I love the idea of humidity domes. I will keep you posted.

[Peter Pacific]

THey are sporadic in germinating-- sometimes you get lucky and they pop in 2 months but unfortunately most take a LOOOOOOONNNGGG time to germinate -- as in 8 months or more. The books say that for Licualas they germinate even after 3 years from sowing.

I guess you should use germinating that won't break down even after a years in the bag/box and retains the proper moisture level well. Over here I use coco peat and its ok so far but I have been told that it tends to break down and turn mushy after a while so I have to watch out for that. Also I noticed that a white web like growth developes in the box- which I assume is fungal growth so I have to watch out for that too.

For long term germinators I have experimented with "dusting" seeds with powdered fungicide just as a precaution. Actually I mix Dithane ( a locally available powder form fungicide) in water and roll seeds in so tha they only get a very thin coat of the powder before I put them in the germination box / bag.

Like Piouspalms said don't keep track of teh time--that's the most agonizing part.

Good luck

Thank you Gene, I really appreciate your reply. I´ve read, I think here on Palm talk, that powdered cinnamon works well as a fungicide. Any thoughts on that. One thing my garden has taught me is patience so I´ll practice my deep breathing exercises til the Mapu´s germinate! Peter

[Gbarce]

I never heard of cinnamon as a fungicide before -- but tell us about how it works if you do decide to use it.

[RainForestt Robert]

Gene, it is often used on orchids. The powder is sprinkled on the affected area.

Rob