Germinating Orania longisquama

[Kai]

I've ordered some of these seeds and want to make sure I treat them the right way. The seeds were not cheap, so to speak.

Does anybody have some tips on how to germinate these? Usually I use ziplock bags with neemcoir and put them away at around 35 degrees Celcius. But if there's a better way for these seeds, please let me know.

Thanks!

[mike in kurtistown]

I have just one experience (bad) that might help you. I got 10 seeds of Orania sylvicola, big and round, golf-ball size. They were sown in potting soil in a 3-gal pot. Every one germinated. When the sprouts were sufficiently developed, I emptied the pot, separated the sprouts, and potted them up individually. All began to decline immediately and drastically and all died over a period of several months.

I don't know what the problem was. I didn't observe very closely, because there didn't seem to be any problem until potting up. Possibly, there were dry pockets in the potting soil, but it doesn't seem that that would affect all 10.

If I had the seeds to sow over again (sometimes in life, we do get to do things over again), I would sow them in separate pots.

[Kai]

Thanks Mike!

It seems to me that Orania seeds are not very hard to germinate, judging from your reply and some other information I looked up. Getting them to grow properly seems to be another story then.

I'll make sure to pot them up in deep enough pots individually and hope for the best!

Thanks again!

[cfkingfish]

Mike is right, Oranias are horrible in community pots, especially if you let them intertwine. The Malagasy Oranias are even more of a pain, but if you sink them, then plant, all good seeds should germinate within a month. These seeds behave much like a Corypha or Borassus, and throw their entire embryo into a bulbous matter when they germinate remotely. Disrupting the bulb will usually cause death.

[MattyB]

Your Orania will look like this. I've found that, if you're using bottom heat, taking the germinated seed out of the baggie and sowing it in a deep pot is the best thing to do. Then, once you have several leaves and the seed detaches from the radicle, lower the soil level down to the bulb where the roots start. This keeps the growing point out of the dirt and you will avoid rot. Use a tall pot so that when you remove 6 inches of soil you still have plenty for the plant to grow in. Good luck.

[BS Man about Palms]

Fine job, Matthew.

[Kai]

Thanks for the info everybody, this helps me a lot!

The seeds just arrived:

[Kai]

After some thorough cleaning with a nail brush (the remaining pieces of fruit came loose very easy, but I didn't eat them):

[Kai]

I will soak them in a nitrozyme solution as I do with all my palm seeds. It seems to work fine and it is said there's a higher germination rate when soaked in nitrozyme, so this is what I do then...

[Kai]

The baggy is ready too, I'll use neem coir for germinating. But first they have to soak for a while, I think 1-2 days will be enough judging from the texture of the seeds. When the first signs of germination occur I'll put them in deep pots (about 30 cm) so the main root can grow undisturbed.

I'll keep you updated!

Cheers!

[MattyB]

Interesting looking seeds with that distinct 'cap' on them. I wonder if O. longisquama is synonymous with O. decipiens var. montana? The seeds look alike. Anyone know?

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Kai, one thing to keep in mind is you have to be very patient with these seeds. I bought a few germinating seeds about two years ago. I bought them when the seeds were just starting to germinate. It took a long time for that bulbous thing to form and for the first leaf to break through the soil. I want to say it was at least 8 months or more until I saw the first leaf. It's been almost two years since I bought those seeds and my plants are only on their 3rd leaf. These are very slow palms as seedlings. Good luck with yours and keep us posted on their progress.

[Kai]

Thanks Jeff,

I'll keep that in mind! First growth seems to look a little like Johannesteijsmannia to me, but then even slower.

Luckily I've never thrown any palm seedling or seeds away unless I was absolutely sure that there is no more hope for it. Seeds that just won't germinate are never thrown away and seedlings that won't come up quikly are always carefully checked if the seed is still attached, if so, then just wait.

For example: I had some Jubaeopsis seeds for more then 2 year in a ziplock bag when some of them started sprouting and the same happened with some Parajubaea tvm seeds. For the Johannesteijsmannia seedlings it also took many months to emerge.

I just hope the Orania's germinate soon!

Cheers!

[Kris]

Dear Kai

Lovely visuals.. And the Visual-Man(Me) very happy !!!

By the way this topic is becoming very intreasting with more members interacting.

Thanks & love,

Kris

[Kai]

Dear Kai

Lovely visuals.. And the Visual-Man(Me) very happy !!!

By the way this topic is becoming very intreasting with more members interacting.

Thanks & love,

Kris

Thanks Kris!

That's what I was thinking too, there's allready some very usefull information about this species on which I couldn't find much.

Cheers!

[cfkingfish]

Matt-

Almost all Orania seeds look identical, if I lose tags on the comm pots you are out of luck until they throw out a leaf or two at least!

[Kai]

I think 1 of my Orania seeds is cracking open! Very happy! Here it is:

[Kai]

Once again the allmighty mr Spanner sent me superfresh palm seeds! Wooohoooo!

Already 3 of them have germinated, and I expect the rest to follow soon!

I potted these 3 up in deep pots, with an extra (a bit smaller pot) on top from which I cut out the bottom. This way it should be very easy to take away the top pot once the plant is established and it won't be so deep in the soil anymore... Please tel me what you think of this method.

Please excuse me for the bad quality of the pictures, there's no daylight at this moment and I don't have a flash

Bye!

One he*l of a happy palmgrower!