Tricks or tips for germinating Cyrtostachys renda?

[rprimbs]

I got some seed for Cyrtostachys renda and I've heard that it can be slow. I soaked the seeds for a couple of days, changing the water daily, then I put it into a ziplock bag in damp peat moss. Is this a good way to germinate these seeds?

Does anybody have any recommendations or tips?

[Zeeth]

It all depends on the freshness of the seed. I got some seed that were right off the tree. I cleaned the pulp and put them in moist sphagnum and they germinated within days.

[Succulentum]

I agree with Keith, seeds should not be dry or they lose their power of germination. the embryo dry very quickly as the seeds are very small, the seeds must travel with damp sphagnum

[PalmatierMeg]

I think right-off-the-palm freshness is the key. I tried over 100 seeds of two species from several sources over the course of 2 years. I got - 1 - seed to germinate in 2008. Thereafter I went to live plants. Good luck.

[Really full garden]

I never had any problems germinating these.They all germinated within three weeks.I began to lose the seedlings very soon and the remaining plants grew very slowly the first few years.

[peachy]

I was sent some seeds from a member in Hawaii, I put them in a bag of spagnum, and in 2 weeks they nearly all sprouted. I left them in the bad for another week, potted them up and so far so good, a few months later.

Peachy

[Sutter Bob]

I've managed to keep a handful of seedlings alive indoors here for two years.

They are next to a small north-facing window and barely budged for a year (watering twice a day).

They seem to be doing a little better with supplemental 24 hour fluorescent illumination.

Obviously not thriving but they are growing.

[JASON M]

Lipstick palms are very pretty, I'm sure the seedlings are really cute :3

[Succulentum]

I never had any problems germinating these.They all germinated within three weeks.I began to lose the seedlings very soon and the remaining plants grew very slowly the first few years.

to all which have had good result with these seeds, which was the source ?

[Trópico]

I never had any problems germinating these.They all germinated within three weeks.I began to lose the seedlings very soon and the remaining plants grew very slowly the first few years.

to all which have had good result with these seeds, which was the source ?

Look above ^^^

[rprimbs]

I've got a question about the bag method of germinating seed. Do the seeds need air? Should I seal the ziplock bag shut or should I leave it partly open?

And if heat is a good thing, should I just stick it on my dashboard in my car??

Edited July 19, 2011 by rprimbs

[tjwalters]

I've given up trying to grow these from seeds of the major suppliers. I think it takes too long for them to get through all the channels, and by the time they arrive it's too late. Still looking for a fresh seed source from someone willing to share/trade/sell fresh off the mother plant.

[Succulentum]

I never had any problems germinating these.They all germinated within three weeks.I began to lose the seedlings very soon and the remaining plants grew very slowly the first few years.

to all which have had good result with these seeds, which was the source ?

Look above ^^^

realy, frank ? what was your result in % with this source ?

I never scored more than 1% (11 for 1000)

[rprimbs]

My idea of putting the bag with the peat moss and the seeds in the car so that it would get plenty of heat probably wasn't the best. It does get hot in there! I might have fried the seed.. but at least I sterilized the peat moss!

[pilou]

Lipstick palms are very pretty.....

Yes, it's nice palm.... The color I prefer is the purple one... strong red is not bad too :-)

[Trópico]

I never had any problems germinating these.They all germinated within three weeks.I began to lose the seedlings very soon and the remaining plants grew very slowly the first few years.

to all which have had good result with these seeds, which was the source ?

Look above ^^^

realy, frank ? what was your result in % with this source ?

I never scored more than 1% (11 for 1000)

I've got about 90% germination with RPS on a small packet of about a dozen. My first order was with ebay and all rotted because they were not fresh. The second order with RPS, I could tell the seeds were fresh by their tan color and not black/brown. My advice is to order the seeds when RPS advertises them as "new:". They happen to be now, so place your order soon!

Still, all of my seedlings except one died, and now that last one multiplied into two dozens.

[peachy]

The bag stays sealed. I put my bags in the garden shed in summer as it gets quite hot in there. Over winter I just have them on a shelf in the kitchen.

Peachy