Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seeds

[cagary]

Any one else get their Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seeds from rarepalmseeds to germinate?

Now to keep them alive.

[John in Andalucia]

I germinated 5 out of 10. Race you to the first leaf!

[Really full garden]

So far I have five of ten germinating.I am pleased because they were held for month in mail limbo.

[DoomsDave]

Any one else get their Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seeds from rarepalmseeds to germinate?

Now to keep them alive.

Aye, that's the rub.

Gonna warn, you, they aren't happy here. I've killed all I tried. They really want high humidity, though, if you're near the sea shelled sea shore, you might have a somewhat better chance . . . .,

[PalmatierMeg]

These are cloud forest palms. They want the humidity, but no thanks to heat. Absolute no-goes for FL. Even Fairchild can't keep them alive.

[Morabeza]

I sowed mine five weeks ago, but perhaps it's too early to expect germination just yet (?)

[Really full garden]

I sowed mine five weeks ago, but perhaps it's too early to expect germination just yet (?)

Mine went into the baggie on May 8. They had been in transit almost a month.

[JakeK]

I bought 20. 8 went into a baggy on top of the fridge, 6 went into a pot that went outside, and 6 more were sowed in a pot that I kept indoors but with no bottom heat. The only ones that have popped were the 8 on top of my fridge. These seeds had constant bottom heat and no light. Mine should be pushing their first leaf in a couple of weeks.

[John in Andalucia]

Just thought I'd bump this thread for anyone else who was lucky enough to get some of these from RPS. My 5/10 are beginning to sprout.

[richnorm]

Just thought I'd bump this thread for anyone else who was lucky enough to get some of these from RPS. My 5/10 are beginning to sprout.

Hi John,

How much heat did those seeds see? Did you try different conditions?

I'm still waiting for the next consignment but hopefully one day soon I will have a chance to try these.

cheers

Richard

[John in Andalucia]

Hello Richard,

I don't think my seeds received temperatures in excess of 30 Celsius /86F. They sprout easily if fresh, and there's no late germination. Once they pop, that's your lot, is the impression I got. I didn't bother varying the germination technique after I read how easy they are. For as rare, and temperamental a plant as they are reputed to be, they sprout effortlessly, and neither do they become fungus magnets once they have germinated. I'd rate germinating fresh Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seeds as very easy.

[JakeK]

John, the seeds that germinated for me are at about the same stage in growth as yours. I am keeping them in a closed container with a few holes in the top until the first leaves push out.

[John in Andalucia]

John, the seeds that germinated for me are at about the same stage in growth as yours. I am keeping them in a closed container with a few holes in the top until the first leaves push out.

Good stuff, Jake. This is now the official Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seedling thread. So infrequently has it been discussed, that I think the search results are worth bookmarking:

Dictyocaryum lamarckianum on PalmTalk

[PalmsZA]

I got a batch from RPS a good few years ago.....not a single living plant to show for my efforts! I found them very easy to germinate however keeping them going was another issue alltogether. I think the biggest "the last man standing" was 5 leaves and good night!

They are stunners though

[Kris]

Nice topic !

[John in Andalucia]

An update on my little seedlings 4 months on..

[Morabeza]

An update on my little seedlings 4 months on..

Congratulations John!

I learned a painful lesson. I believe I got seeds from the same batch as you did, but none sprouted. You said that "I don't think my seeds received temperatures in excess of 30 Celsius /86F". I definitely kept them warmer than that. I just checked on mine (many months later) and they have all decomposed. They were on my heating mat for about a month or so. I also feel quite daft for not thinking about how the seeds shouldn't have needed bottom heat in my climate considering that they come from more of a cloud forest environment!

So I think it's safe to say that as far as germination temperatures and heating mats are concerned, Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seeds need germination temperatures at least 10°C cooler than those that are suitable for Lemurophoenix halleuxii. (At least under my conditions)

[Tyrone]

What you need to be able to do with these is keep the temp extremes away. No wild swings of temp over a short period either. I had mine die after one day of 40C and then two days later an 18C day. It went from happy and healthy to dead and fallen over. My seedlings went through my winter unscathed under canopy. I would like to try this one again now I have a shadehouse I set up for NC seedlings who like similar conditions. They'd probably do fine in there. So high humidity with frequent mistings and even gentle temps. The Andes are constantly in spring.

Best regards

Tyrone

[John in Andalucia]

An update on my little seedlings 4 months on..

Congratulations John!

I learned a painful lesson. I believe I got seeds from the same batch as you did, but none sprouted. You said that "I don't think my seeds received temperatures in excess of 30 Celsius /86F". I definitely kept them warmer than that. I just checked on mine (many months later) and they have all decomposed. They were on my heating mat for about a month or so. I also feel quite daft for not thinking about how the seeds shouldn't have needed bottom heat in my climate considering that they come from more of a cloud forest environment!

So I think it's safe to say that as far as germination temperatures and heating mats are concerned, Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seeds need germination temperatures at least 10°C cooler than those that are suitable for Lemurophoenix halleuxii. (At least under my conditions)

Thank you, Jacob. I'm sorry to hear you lost all yours. So far it's been easy growing. Not sure at what point I can expect to run into problems with these, but they are most unusual. I'm still waiting to see some other seedling photos but there doesn't seem to be any!

Tyrone, that's some good advice. I'll watch out for the temperature swing.

[BS Man about Palms]

John-

You need update photos....

Plus is your PM working?

[John in Andalucia]

Here's the biggest seedling, as of today. The other surviving plant is not showing a second leaf yet, but has a healthy, fat stem.

Sent you a PM, Bill.

[Cindy Adair]

I ordered seeds first thing this morning, but assume my seeds are from the same batch and thus not as fresh. We'll see. I think I have the high humidity mountainous conditions and will try to copy everyone's success stories to germinate some seeds. If I'm unsuccessful, perhaps someone out there will post seedlings for sale?

[John in Andalucia]

I ordered seeds first thing this morning, but assume my seeds are from the same batch and thus not as fresh. We'll see. I think I have the high humidity mountainous conditions and will try to copy everyone's success stories to germinate some seeds. If I'm unsuccessful, perhaps someone out there will post seedlings for sale?

The freshest batch appeared on-line last March. Then they reappeared in December at the same price they are now - roughly half the price they were when first listed. I got 50% germination from the "new" batch, so buying them now is a bit of a gamble. However, it does state on their website, "All seeds are completely fresh and viable" - whether that applies only to seeds collected at the time of harvest, or those on general sale throughout the year, is unclear. The price reduction probably gives you a clue as too how viable they are.

[richnorm]

I ordered my seeds before Christmas and they arrived in the middle of March! However, germination rates have been good (maybe 70% at a rough guess) and some are still popping. I think maybe a new consignment was received. I have mine laying on just damp sphagnum in sealed containers at about 18-23c. I open them each day to change the air and was careful to get the humidity just right (not too wet). If you get a little white mould at first this can be removed with tissue paper. Thanks for bumping this thread - I should have looked for it!

cheers

Richard

[Cindy Adair]

I ordered seeds first thing this morning, but assume my seeds are from the same batch and thus not as fresh. We'll see. I think I have the high humidity mountainous conditions and will try to copy everyone's success stories to germinate some seeds. If I'm unsuccessful, perhaps someone out there will post seedlings for sale?

The freshest batch appeared on-line last March. Then they reappeared in December at the same price they are now - roughly half the price they were when first listed. I got 50% germination from the "new" batch, so buying them now is a bit of a gamble. However, it does state on their website, "All seeds are completely fresh and viable" - whether that applies only to seeds collected at the time of harvest, or those on general sale throughout the year, is unclear. The price reduction probably gives you a clue as too how viable they are.

Thanks for the information. I have literally planted only 2 palm seeds ever, both in the last year fresh from my farm. I pretended they were like all the tropical trees I have pretty good luck starting and both sprouted. I'll certainly try the conditions that worked best with these seeds discussed in Palmtalk and will let you all know if I sprout them. If not, I'll try again since I added myself to get the rare palm seed updates...

[Tyrone]

I got ten in from RPS from the Dec batch and received them in mid Feb and split the order with a friend so we got 5 each. I just put my seed in a com pot with my normal potting mix, which is basically coconut coir, pine bark and coarse sand which is very free draining (20% air fill porosity) and just left under the canopy out of the way of the sun right next to all my Rhopalostylis seedlings and let the ambient summer heat do its thing. When it was going to be over 35C though, I brought them inside into the air conditioning along with my Ceroxylon amazonicum seeds. About 4 weeks later I had 4 germinate from 5, and my friend had 5 out of 5 come up. I haven't dug around so see if the last one has come up, but so far we're at 90% germination, but possibly 100% if the last one comes up.

Best regards

Tyrone

[John in Andalucia]

I got ten in from RPS from the Dec batch and received them in mid Feb and split the order with a friend so we got 5 each. I just put my seed in a com pot with my normal potting mix, which is basically coconut coir, pine bark and coarse sand which is very free draining (20% air fill porosity) and just left under the canopy out of the way of the sun right next to all my Rhopalostylis seedlings and let the ambient summer heat do its thing. When it was going to be over 35C though, I brought them inside into the air conditioning along with my Ceroxylon amazonicum seeds. About 4 weeks later I had 4 germinate from 5, and my friend had 5 out of 5 come up. I haven't dug around so see if the last one has come up, but so far we're at 90% germination, but possibly 100% if the last one comes up.

Best regards

Tyrone

That's interesting, Tyrone. The December batch were almost half the price of the previous lot in March. The seeds in December were also newly listed, so the huge discount when it appears they were just as fresh, is a mystery. This is definitely not a Mediterranean palm, but then neither are 50% of the palms I'm growing. As you say, summer will be the stumbling block for this species. I'll update on how mine fare this summer.

[Tyrone]

Maybe Toby got a different cheaper supplier. They were cheaper that's why I bought some.

This summer coming, (in around 6 months time for us), I'll put them in my shadehouse that never gets above about 36C and holds a few extra degrees at night. The beauty of this shadehouse is it keeps out the strong dry easterlies we get in summer and therefore holds the temps down and humidity up, smoothing out the temp peaks we get. What killed my last one a few years ago was a day of 42C then two days later an 18C day. If I could have kept the peak to 36C and then mid twenties two days later I'd probably still have it alive today. If you have rats they seem to love this species. Of the last batch of about 6 germinators 5 were eaten by rats, and then the last one died of a heart attack to psycho temp swings.

I'm hoping for better luck this time.

Best regards

Tyrone

[cobra2326]

Looks just like Iriartea deltoidea when young. These seem to be a lot more challenging though.

[richnorm]

Any updates on cultivation experiences? I'm particularly keen to hear from those from coolish climates following the Northern hemisphere winter? What temperatures did your's see?

Mine are now 12 months old, robust and healthy (little bit of slug damage) but I have lost quite a few to rot. Down to 35 plants from 96 seed. Still all 1 leafers but close to opening next leaf.

cheers

Richard

[Cindy Adair]

Of my 10 seeds, this is the only one that was certainly alive as of last November from seeds received last May. 2 haven't germinated and are still in a ziploc bag in a warm room in Virginia. Several others had germinated, but no growth above ground when I last checked (in the ground) in Puerto Rico. My husband gets to visit the farm in 2 weeks so he'll check them then. I did "cheat" and order some actual small plants to put in place in April since I'm determined to give this lovely palm a good try.

[Tyrone]

Of my 5 seeds the last one came up, so I got 5 out of 5 to germinate. I gave one seedling away and still have 4 going and pushing spears. Not hard at all. Have not had one rot off yet. I hope I haven't spoken too soon.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Lowey]

Of my 5 seeds the last one came up, so I got 5 out of 5 to germinate. I gave one seedling away and still have 4 going and pushing spears. Not hard at all. Have not had one rot off yet. I hope I haven't spoken too soon.

Best regards

Tyrone

Mine all rotted a month after germination 8 out of 10 germinated all dead now, too wet I think, I'll try again during a dry period

[ariscott]

If they don't like getting wet, I wouldn't have a chance. It is ok though... I just enjoy yours.

[Eric in Orlando]

I've gotten 2 to germinate

[kylecawazafla]

Good luck everyone! I hope at least one of you get a sizable palm from your seeds! The only ones in cultivation I have "seen" are at Bo's place. I know Dennis had one do well in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

[Tyrone]

Mine get about 5 min of irrigation every day and maybe 10 min on a hot day inside my shadehouse. This shadehouse is a little different to my tunnel/hothouse. It's covered in alfresco plastic on the NE and SE sides, is bounded by the fence on the NW side and is shadecloth on the SW side so that the cool moist seabreeze can get in year round. The dry easterlies are blocked by the plastic. The roof is all cream shadecloth. The idea is to trap the humidity but not actually raise the temps at all except when it's cold, and in the heat of summer it lowers the temp. It's all under canopy but gets the late afternoon summer sun on it. In winter it gets more afternoon sun when the sun is lower in the northern sky. High temps are kept to around 32C, whereas winter mins never drop below about 4 or 5C. I designed it for my New Caledonian stuff and so far everything loves it in there. And is it humid? Very humid all the time in there.

Best regards

Tyrone

[colin Peters]

How are everyones D. lamarckianums doing. My three I have left are getting

second and one a third new leaf. Two are in the ground (sown directly), and

another in a pot. Got a couple additional seedlings in the mail, but they quickly died, after planting

. I heard roots don't not like being disturbed. I keep them wet, but with good drainage, and the fairily

constant HI warm weather helps. Keeping fingers crossed.

aloha

[Cindy Adair]

How are everyones D. lamarckianums doing. My three I have left are getting

second and one a third new leaf. Two are in the ground (sown directly), and

another in a pot. Got a couple additional seedlings in the mail, but they quickly died, after planting

. I heard roots don't not like being disturbed. I keep them wet, but with good drainage, and the fairily

constant HI warm weather helps. Keeping fingers crossed.

aloha

Mine in Puerto Rico looked fine in April a week after planting, but I don't get to see them again until August. Truly survival of the fittest, but I'm hoping for the best... I'll post again with photos of the survivors then.

[Tyrone]

I had 5 and gave one away. That one went in the ground and is going fine. Of the 4 I had, the extended summer heat we had did one in. So I'm down to 3, one is a bit iffy, but the other two are fine.

Best regards

Tyrone