Florida Roystonea Regia seeds

[Sandy Loam]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fxQPnbC4jDEfV6ak9

 

Attached is a photo of some Royal Palm seeds which I collected at Collier Seminole State Park in Florida USA, in their native habitat. However, I do not know whether these seeds are completely dead or whether they will germinate Some were black, some were brown, and some were all white and dried out. I have no idea what healthy Royal Palm seeds are supposed to look like.

 

I also have never tried to germinate seeds before in my life. Are any of you able to determine whether these seeds are viable simply by looking at them? To maximize my chances of success, is my best bet just to plant 50 of them in every pot, half covered in soil, with daily watering for the next 2 months? I'm not sure how to germinate seeds, but I think that is what I saw on YouTube. Any advice is most welcome. Thank you in advance!

 

 

[Johnny Palmseed]

The ones with holes are no good. The ones with fruit are probably the freshest and most likely to germinate. Throw all of them in a bucket of warm water. The best chances are with the ones that sink. Since it looks like you have hundreds, I would throw away the ones that float after a day. Clean the fruit off any you will keep and you should be good. Royals tend to germinate easily. I had many under the palm pop up in terrible sandy dry soil with no care whatsoever. 

[Fusca]

1 hour ago, Sandy Loam said:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fxQPnbC4jDEfV6ak9

 

Attached is a photo of some Royal Palm seeds which I collected at Collier Seminole State Park in Florida USA, in their native habitat. However, I do not know whether these seeds are completely dead or whether they will germinate Some were black, some were brown, and some were all white and dried out. I have no idea what healthy Royal Palm seeds are supposed to look like.

 

I also have never tried to germinate seeds before in my life. Are any of you able to determine whether these seeds are viable simply by looking at them? To maximize my chances of success, is my best bet just to plant 50 of them in every pot, half covered in soil, with daily watering for the next 2 months? I'm not sure how to germinate seeds, but I think that is what I saw on YouTube. Any advice is most welcome. Thank you in advance!

I can't tell from the picture but best way to tell if the seeds are viable is to cut one in half and check for an embryo.  Royal seeds are easy to germinate if they are fresh but I've had poor results from older seeds.  John makes a good point about the floaters.  

Edited April 21, 2022 by Fusca

[redant]

I'd say a bunch are viable, just toss them in a community pot and keep moist, they grow like weeds.

[Sandy Loam]

6 hours ago, redant said:

I'd say a bunch are viable, just toss them in a community pot and keep moist, they grow like weeds.

Thank you for the advice. Do I have to keep the seeds half-covered in soil and half exposed to sunlight? If they are buried too deep in the soil, they will not germinate, right? Also, does it absolutely have to be in full sun? Is normal pre-bagged potting mix okay? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have never germinated seeds before.

 

Last question-- if I have all if these seeds packed together into pots and several actually germinate, won't the roots become entangled, making each tree impossible to separate from the others?

 

Thank you in advance for your advice to anyone who wishes to contribute.

[Johnny Palmseed]

They don’t need sun to germinate but they do need heat. You can grow them on top or put a light coat over them but don’t sink them in the soil. The roots will become entangled if you never break down the community pot. They are easy to break apart though, depending on the medium you use. After they germinate of course they will need sun. Royals can take quite a bit of sun as a seedling. I still have seedlings growing in the ground in full sun. They have never had any shade and don’t seem to care.

[tjwalters]

Before tossing any floaters, make sure all fruit/pulp has been removed from the seeds.  Old dried fruit stuck to the seed can make good seed float.