geminating phoenix rupicola

[cencalpalmguy]

I just recieved my third shipment of p. rupicola and would like any germination tips

I can get. My first two appempts I soaked the seesd for 3 days in warm water and daconil fungicide and then placed them in slightly damp peat in a ziplock tub with nothing but fuzzy seeds after 2 months. This method worked great for my p. canariensis and others with the tubs sitting in my garage in the heat. I'll take any advice I can get. Thanks, Chad.

[tropicalb]

I just recieved my third shipment of p. rupicola and would like any germination tips

I can get. My first two appempts I soaked the seesd for 3 days in warm water and daconil fungicide and then placed them in slightly damp peat in a ziplock tub with nothing but fuzzy seeds after 2 months. This method worked great for my p. canariensis and others with the tubs sitting in my garage in the heat. I'll take any advice I can get. Thanks, Chad.

next attempt:

soak them 24 hours in just plain old water (the daconil is not necessary if the seed is clean)

place in germination material mix of 1/3 peat (sunshine mix #3 is really good stuff) and 2/3 perlite (size #2 works well for this purpose), planting no deeper than the depth of the seed itself (about a quarter to half inch or so).

keep moist (not wet), warm (about 80F....a good place for your germination tub would be on a shelf in the rafters of your garage).

be very patient....

if this doesn't work, pm me and i'll send you some seedlings....

[turfpro01]

You dont want to soak the seeds more than 24 hours unless they are thick shelled and float. Also I never add water to the peat moss(i use cocco) Use it straght out the bag, and if it gets dry replace it dont try and add moisture. I dont know why some people say use slightly damp peat?, the seeds just rott if theres enough moisture if u ask me.

[cencalpalmguy]

Thanks, Ryan and Burt. I started soaking my new seeds earlier today, but I'll take them out and pot them tomorrow using the peat and perlite.

[cencalpalmguy]

Oh, one more thing.... It will be over 100 in my garage soon. Do you guys think thats too hot for the seeds to germinate?

[Jonathan]

30C - 35C (85 - 95F) is a good range for most tropical palms.

I germinate most of my seeds at the lower end of that range.

Temps over 38C (100F) can damage or even kill some palm seeds I believe.....having said that, I germinated Hypheane coriacea at temps fluctuating between 10C (50F) at night and 50C (122F) during the day in an unheated greenhouse. So you have to pick your species a bit.

My P. rupicola seeds are germinating at 30C right now, but like you I've had them rot in the past.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[tropicalb]

yeah, i would say that continuous temps over 100F would not be a good thing for your seeds....so try and find a place that doesn't get much over 90F for any length of time.