Ebay seeds

[Palmfarmer]

I have bought quite a lot of seeds of different varietes on ebay. However they have mostly all failed. I do the float test then put them in a ziplock with pure peat or Coco coir mixed with perlite 50/50. I then used my heatmat set at 34c. I have tried colder temps as well and without the heating as well. The heatmat is on 24/7. The seeds have been different types of trachies. From different sources on ebay. 

What is the most likely reason for failing to sprout any seeds? Is it the perfect amount of moisture in the bag that is the key? Do i need to use more or less substrate? 

Are the seeds most likely bunk? 

 

[Darold Petty]

Most likely, old seed that has lost viability.  

[Palmfarmer]

33 minutes ago, Darold Petty said:

Most likely, old seed that has lost viability.  

I hope so, since I got hope to germinat some palms again then

 Best sources for seed? And can most palms germinate with heat going 24/7?

[Tom in Tucson]

18 minutes ago, Palmfarmer said:

I hope so, since I got hope to germinat some palms again then

 Best sources for seed? And can most palms germinate with heat going 24/7?

@PalmatierMeghas supplied me with the best palm seeds I've ever bought.

Hi 109˚, Lo 74˚

Edited August 5, 2023 by Tom in Tucson

[PalmsandLiszt]

Ebay is not a good place to buy seeds in general unless you know the seller is reputable, as sellers can list any old inviable junk and always plausibly deny that the buyer subjected them to the correct conditions. Also, many seeds, even if viable, will take longer to germinate than the cut-off point for leaving feedback, so good feedback ratings don't tell you much.
If the seller is selling both seeds and seedlings of the same species, then that's a little more promising, although this could still be a ruse to palm off (no pun intended) useless old seeds that he can't grow.

[Palmfarmer]

2 minutes ago, PalmsandLiszt said:

Ebay is not a good place to buy seeds in general unless you know the seller is reputable, as sellers can list any old inviable junk and always plausibly deny that the buyer subjected them to the correct conditions. Also, many seeds, even if viable, will take longer to germinate than the cut-off point for leaving feedback, so good feedback ratings don't tell you much.
If the seller is selling both seeds and seedlings of the same species, then that's a little more promising, although this could still be a ruse to palm off (no pun intended) useless old seeds that he can't grow.

Exactly. Is there any money in selling seeds from the common palms such as CIDP, Washies and queens? 

[N8ALLRIGHT]

For trachies I'd reach out to @Vic. He has a website @thepalmgrower.com.  He's in the UK and shipped to me in the states. Have had excellent germination rates but it's taken a loooonggg time to get here. Also I'd reach out to @Bigfish , great seller and he's got his seeds for sale in the for sale section right here on the forum. princeps and waggie x princeps and needle from both sellers in this shot. It's taken over a year for germination and that's with 2 months in the fridge!

[N8ALLRIGHT]

The needles just started poking, they are wee fellas!

[aztropic]

58 minutes ago, Palmfarmer said:

Exactly. Is there any money in selling seeds from the common palms such as CIDP, Washies and queens? 

No. These common palms are produced in the hundreds of thousands by mega growers like Costa in south Florida.  Current sale price at HD (half price)in Phoenix for a 7 gallon pot is $36. ( Super deal ) That's after 5 years of growing.🤷‍♂️A smaller grower absolutely cannot beat this price point,and growing these common species from seed is only for your own personal satisfaction.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Tomas]

3 hours ago, PalmsandLiszt said:

Ebay is not a good place to buy seeds in general unless you know the seller is reputable, as sellers can list any old inviable junk and always plausibly deny that the buyer subjected them to the correct conditions. Also, many seeds, even if viable, will take longer to germinate than the cut-off point for leaving feedback, so good feedback ratings don't tell you much.
If the seller is selling both seeds and seedlings of the same species, then that's a little more promising, although this could still be a ruse to palm off (no pun intended) useless old seeds that he can't grow.

Agree with every word written here

Once I wanted to try the germination expsoing (delidding) the embryo. So I acquired about hundred seeds of various species from a UK seller . The seeds were all declared 'fresh'. I started to delid them and I did not find a single embryo, just empty holes.

Very improbable that a seller that has large selction of species sells fresh seeds