Phoenix Roebelenii seedlings

[FRITO]

Its probably nothing special for zone 9b+ palm people, but the pygmy date palm here is rare here and only found in the best micro climates locally.

These were started from seed in late january this year. I germated them in my oven with just the light bulb on for heat.  It stayed right around 92 degrees for a month or so until the all popped. I had about 90%+ germination rates but lost some of the weaker gened plants up till this point due to unknown variables.  (only the strong survive darwinistic viewpoint)  

I watered mainly with fresh collected rainwater only and a treatment of slow release osmocote fert to help them florish.

These are still a bit shallow for the tap root for this Phoenix species but they seem to be OK.

I am thinking or potting these individually and some in multiples. Then compare the growth rates down the road.

Anyone else grow these from seed? Please post your pictures.  

thanks

[Kris]

Dear Luke  

thanks for those lovely stills of beautiful palms...the box states its 45 seeds...how much seeds have germinated till now ?

what successes rate did you get...and were the seeds bought or collected from the wild ?

thanks & love,

Kris  

[Kathryn]

I like to plant them as singles. And later, you can always put them in the ground as multiples if you want to.

I’ve grown many roebelenii palms from fresh seeds from my plants. I usually get 100% germination and rarely loose any. I’m not bragging at all, because I’ve killed many seedlings of other species, usually due to too much or too little water. Just mean to say that this is a very easy palm to germinate and grow.

Your mix looks a little heavy. What did you use? Are there drainage holes? You may have lost some due to rot.

[surgeon83]

My P. roebellenii set seed last year (which I hand pollinated with some pygmy date pollen and some P. reclinata pollen).  I collected and planted the seeds in November or December and all of the non-hybrid seeds sprouted by January.  Only one of the hybrid seeds sprouted in January, with the rest starting in March and continuing to germinate through May.  

The seedlings packed in the green soda bottle are non-hybrids (some are up to 5th leaf).  ALL of the rest are hybrids (and many still need to be separated from community pots.)

Notice the difference in leaf thickness.  

Overview:

Close-up comparing community pots of non-hybrids vs hybrids:

Close-up of another hybrid:

Close-up of another hybrid:

[surgeon83]

Seeds set by mother palm this year (non-hybrids):

I just noticed 1-2 leaf seedlings sprouting up all over the ground around this palm.  I didn't think they were ready that early.

[FRITO]

Kris and others,

I have two bins, one with 14 palms (pictured) and a nother with 9 palms. The mix is heavy and I am new to palms from seed. It basically is just topsoil.  I had great germination rates but not much planting space and no drainage.  I basically wanted the most durable strongest of these seedlings and loosing the weakest would only be better for survival. But I know I lost plenty to rot and mother nature's fury.  

The seed was given to me from a palmophile on another board from one of his palms.

I did transplant some out after the first strap leaf back in spring so that are potted up individually, they have 2/3 strap leafs and seemed to suffer transplant shock/setback.

These palms seem to love heat humidity and water and dont mind wet feet it seems. These palms should be good tuck under house eaves in the corners next to the gutter downsput pipe.   (warm micro climate plus good water plus small palm)

[Kris]

Dear Frito _ thanks for the info...

Dear Surge _ it seems you have a very nice hobby "Gardening" which should be even more relaxing than the pills you recomand for your patients...

And by the way do any one of you have grown up stills of these palms in discussion..since no discussion is complete without seeing the mother palm or grown-up palm for guys like me who tend to forget the species too often it will be a big

boom to brush up our knowledge...Please !

thanks & love,

Kris  

[surgeon83]

Thanks Kris, indeed it is the palm gardening that helps me keep my sanity after a long day at the hospital...

Here is a picture of the whole Phoenix roebellenii from which my seeds/seedlings came:

[Kris]

Dear Surge  

thanks for that lovely still of the grown up palm..

lots of love,

Kris