Novice germinator in training...

[Sabal Steve]

Hello everyone,

I am new to germinating and I was hoping for any advice - on my system on general. I've had pretty good luck with a 50:50 mixture of peat moss and sand in Ziploc bags that have been sealed and kept moist. Then i put the sprouted seeds in one gallon containers and try to keep it moist. in general at this stage is it good to just keep them moist and in the dark - or should I put it in the Sun, partial Sun, or shade? So far my Canaries have began to sprout leaves above the soil but my R. Sapida palms don't seem to be doing anything...

[Jubaea]

I would put them both outside in the shade. Both Rhopalostylis and Canaries will do fine outside in SD and can be germinated outside. For my seedlings I keep them under 50% shade cloth and they do well. If you are further inland where it gets hot you may want to use even more shade than 50%.

[Sabal Steve]

I would put them both outside in the shade. Both Rhopalostylis and Canaries will do fine outside in SD and can be germinated outside. For my seedlings I keep them under 50% shade cloth and they do well. If you are further inland where it gets hot you may want to use even more shade than 50%.

I live in temperate San Diego. I will put them in more shade as now I believe they get partial sun and complete darkness (2 different batches).

Do you have any thoughts on the watering requirements and should I be able to continue to put them in the same mix that I used to germinate when I transplant into the one gallon containers?

Thanks jubaea.

[KennyRE317]

I germinated in plastic Tupperware containers, pretty much the same as ziplock bags, with a mix of coco, peat, and perlite (sunshine advance mix #4) and I keep the containers in my office which is always dark and warm. as soon as I get a main root that is around 1/2"-1" I pluck it out (i'll usually wait until i can pot up a batch of at least 12) and put in a small container that's about 5" deep and then they stay outside never getting any direct sun.

[Sabal Steve]

Any thoughts on using sand instead of perilite? Does it make a big difference?

[LilikoiLee]

Hello everyone,

I am new to germinating and I was hoping for any advice - on my system on general. I've had pretty good luck with a 50:50 mixture of peat moss and sand in Ziploc bags that have been sealed and kept moist. Then i put the sprouted seeds in one gallon containers and try to keep it moist. in general at this stage is it good to just keep them moist and in the dark - or should I put it in the Sun, partial Sun, or shade? So far my Canaries have began to sprout leaves above the soil but my R. Sapida palms don't seem to be doing anything...

This was a very helpful post for me. Some of our palms are seeding and I want to successfully seed as many as I can starting to germinate them. Would be interested ro hear from anyone Hawaii if this method has worked well for them and, if not what has been successful for them.

Thanks, Lee

[KennyRE317]

Any thoughts on using sand instead of perilite? Does it make a big difference?

weight, size, density

[NorCalWill]

Every time I've used the 50/50 peat/perlite in a zip lock bag method, the seeds develop mold.

When I use straight perlite, they don't.

[KennyRE317]

Every time I've used the 50/50 peat/perlite in a zip lock bag method, the seeds develop mold.

When I use straight perlite, they don't.

with perlite it doesn't really hold much moisture. I use Sunshine Advanced Mix #4 since i had a couple of large bales sitting around and I've had no issues with it and it's mostly comprised of peat/coco/perlite. I've had a container that's been sitting in my office for the last few months and there's still some moisture and no mold like growth

[Kris]

Hello Steve,

Here is a link for you.I hope its of some use to you.

Materials Need For Germination..

Love,

kris.

[Sabal Steve]

Very detailed, great article Kris.

I've been lazy... I thought it was just "set it and forget it" like the old Ronco informercial.

[KennyRE317]

Very detailed, great article Kris.

I've been lazy... I thought it was just "set it and forget it" like the old Ronco informercial.

it pretty much is, I haven't had any issues with just "set it and forget it". I think a lot of people tend to overdo it a bit but that's just my opinion

[Rafael]

I use the same stuff as inside the pots. Leave it outside without direct sunlight. All the seeds are sprouting. Even acrocomia aculeata, after 2,5 years waiting