Germinating 'green' seed

[JLeVert]

I have germinated Sabal seed that was still green even though the actual seed inside was hard and fully formed. I have a Trithrinax that is dropping a lot of green seed and wondered if anybody had tried germinating these. I don't know if there is something wrong that the tree would drop seed prematurely. Peaches and citrus drop part of their fruit load, but I don't know about palms. I cut the green flesh off of a couple of the greenies this afternoon, and the seed inside is hard and beginning to show a little tan coloration.

If green seed won't work, does anybody have any suggestions about germinating Trithrinax acanthocoma seed that is ripe.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Jeff Searle]

Usually as a rule of thumb, seed have to start turning color before you pick them and plant. Now, I'm sure some seed of some palms would sprout if you picked them green, but, if you want the best germination possible, it's always smart to wait until they turn ripe(color) before planting.

Jeff

[PalmGuyWC]

Joseph,

I have both Trithrinax acanthocoma and T. campestris. They both can be difficult to germinate using the usual methods, however the ones that fall on the ground and go through a couple of seasons germinate readily. I think these are seeds that have to go through dry, wet periods and maybe a fluctuation of warm, cold temperatures.

Generally T. acanthocoma fruit turn cream colored when they are ripe, but sometimes depending on the weather they will fall off when still green and the seeds will be mature and hard. The same is true for T. campestris. Most often the T. campestris fruit will still be mostly green when they fall off the tree, but sometimes they turn sort of an orange/brown color when they are ripe. Regardless of fruit color, if the seeds have reached full size, they should germinate.

T. campestris is the only species I have that bloom in October and then the fruit grows through the winter and matures the following summer. T. acanthocoma blooms in April for me.

I agree with Jeff as most palm fruit should show color before trying to germinate them.

Dick

[tjwalters]

I've germinated seeds from green Sabal minor fruits, but, as you say, the seeds themselves were starting to turn color. Perhaps you could let some of the green fruits ripen "off the vine."

[JLeVert]

Thanks gentlemen. I may try a couple of methods on the Trithrinax seed. So far, none have germinated under the mother palm.....same problem with Butia paraguayensis. Maybe the wet/dry, cold/hot thing applies to both of these palms. T. acanthocoma blooms for me in late April. I don't have a T. campestris right now, although I have the dubious distinction of having killed two. I think I should have put them in the ground, but they stayed in pots and were watered too much.

[Tala]

Joe,

I used to purposely sow green Syagrus queen seed, rec'd much better germ. rate this way; same for Roystonea regia. Of course both of these are nearly ripe, the Sy will have a hint of orange to them, the Royals just barely starting to darken. There were others that did this in some experiments I tried many yrs ago but the brain cells containing that info have long set sail... I know one it doesn't work on, Allagoptera arenaria. Squirrels will tear away the entire infructescence so whatever I recover from those bushy tailed monsters goes straight into the ground or potting soil w/ zero positive results. I would think the longer the "shelf life" of a certain species the better the chances are they can sprout at different stages.

Yrs back I read somewhere that some palm fruit has a germination "inhibitor"in them, but I think this had to more to do with using cleaned seed vs sowing w/ mesocarp attached.

[cfkingfish]

Oftentimes green or unripe seed germinate faster as the pectin in the fruit is not present, and it tends prolong the germination process. As long as the seed is hard and you get an embryo when you cut the seed, you should be alright.

[JEFF from Trabuco Canyon CA]

I have pretty good success germinating green seeds. Some of the seeds are starting to change color. I put them in a paper bag for about a week. Some of the palms that I have had success with are: Archontophoenix alexandrae, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Archontophoenix purpurea, Dypsis baronii, Dypsis onilahensis, Dypsis lutescens, Euterpe edulis, Howea forsteriana, ButiaXJubaea, Pritchardia, Rhopalostylis, Syagrus and few other that I can't think of right now.

Jeff

[JD in the OC]

Jeff,

How big are your BxJ F2 seedlings now? After seeing Gary's freakish BxS F2, I kinda wonder what yours will turn into!

JD

[JEFF from Trabuco Canyon CA]

Two to three leaf seedlings. I had better germination with the green seed then the seed that was orange.