Storing seeds

[Hardypalms]

I got various seeds from fresh with fruit to dry with some mold on them and anywhere in between.

I know seeds are better fresh but these will be started in March 2024.

Do i need to remove the pulp prior to store the ones that have some? Or can i dry store them with the pulp? (Lots of work removing pulp so if i can prevent it).

The dry ones that have mold, what can i spray or soak them in?

These are common seeds i got free.

Thxs

Pat

[Fusca]

You don't specify the species but I would remove the fruit before storing.  I assume that you have cold hardy varieties which can most likely not lose viability in 5 months of storage.  But why wait?  Many palm seeds take several months to germinate.  I understand that the weather is cooling down some but you can germinate them indoors as well.  I have a heat mat for germinating seeds at a specific temperature but I have also successfully germinated seeds on top of my satellite TV box for bottom heat.

[happypalms]

It’s a shame you have to store them palm seeds mostly need to be sown asap a lot of other plant varieties seeds i store in the refrigerator but I don’t think a tropical palm seed would like that and as fusca states what varieties are you storing if it’s a date palm well that one has been found in the Egyptian tombs and still germinated good luck with your seeds 

[Hardypalms]

I got palms under lights, 8 palms in yard to protect in my 7b winter already, a sick wife and a 50-55 hour job!

Can’t add more right now. If the seeds die they die but still trying to save a few. (I hate the baggie method).

Sabal causarium, Rhapis, Attalea cohene, Phoenix reclinata, (Important to me)

Syagrus romanzoffiana, Phoenix roebelinii, Sabal palmetto, Adonidia merillii. (secondary)

Thxs

Pat

Edited October 10, 2023 by Hardypalms

[Hardypalms]

23 hours ago, Fusca said:

You don't specify the species but I would remove the fruit before storing.  I assume that you have cold hardy varieties which can most likely not lose viability in 5 months of storage.  But why wait?  Many palm seeds take several months to germinate.  I understand that the weather is cooling down some but you can germinate them indoors as well.  I have a heat mat for germinating seeds at a specific temperature but I have also successfully germinated seeds on top of my satellite TV box for bottom heat.

What do you do in February when they germinate indoors in 7b?

Thxs

Pat

[Fusca]

47 minutes ago, Hardypalms said:

What do you do in February when they germinate indoors in 7b?

Thxs

Pat

Of the palms you listed I think you'd be OK to store all but the Adonidia (not sure about the Rhapis).  If you don't like the baggie method you can start them in a community pot and leave them until spring before you separate them.  You could leave it indoors in a bright location if you have it or leave it outside and bring indoors during freezing weather.  Adonidia isn't going to handle freezing temps so they're likely to stay indoors for you most of the winter regardless.  I would start the Attalea now also since they take up to a year to germinate in my experience and they need a lot of heat.

[happypalms]

9 hours ago, Hardypalms said:

I got palms under lights, 8 palms in yard to protect in my 7b winter already, a sick wife and a 50-55 hour job!

Can’t add more right now. If the seeds die they die but still trying to save a few. (I hate the baggie method).

Sabal causarium, Rhapis, Attalea cohene, Phoenix reclinata, (Important to me)

Syagrus romanzoffiana, Phoenix roebelinii, Sabal palmetto, Adonidia merillii. (secondary)

Thxs

Pat

I can understand your situation life can get in the way with growing plus your climate is so harsh and unforgiving with plants I hope your wife recovers quickly and you can have a holiday in the tropical climate and relax in paradise you could just sow them in a styrofoam box with them labeled using a heat mat they will live in the box for up to two years happily I hope this is of some help good luck with your quest to grow palms in a harsh environment I was in Manitoba in Canada and couldn’t believe the weather and how cold it gets there 

[Hardypalms]

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

I can understand your situation life can get in the way with growing plus your climate is so harsh and unforgiving with plants I hope your wife recovers quickly and you can have a holiday in the tropical climate and relax in paradise you could just sow them in a styrofoam box with them labeled using a heat mat they will live in the box for up to two years happily I hope this is of some help good luck with your quest to grow palms in a harsh environment I was in Manitoba in Canada and couldn’t believe the weather and how cold it gets there 

I appreciate the kind words and help with the seeds.

i think i m going to start them soon thxs to both your help.

I got to look into that styrofoam box technic.

Thxs

Pat

[Hardypalms]

9 hours ago, Fusca said:

Of the palms you listed I think you'd be OK to store all but the Adonidia (not sure about the Rhapis).  If you don't like the baggie method you can start them in a community pot and leave them until spring before you separate them.  You could leave it indoors in a bright location if you have it or leave it outside and bring indoors during freezing weather.  Adonidia isn't going to handle freezing temps so they're likely to stay indoors for you most of the winter regardless.  I would start the Attalea now also since they take up to a year to germinate in my experience and they need a lot of heat.

Ok great advice. I do already drag palms in and out so i can do it with the seedlings.

Thxs a lot

Pat

[happypalms]

45 minutes ago, Hardypalms said:

I appreciate the kind words and help with the seeds.

i think i m going to start them soon thxs to both your help.

I got to look into that styrofoam box technic.

Thxs

Pat

Put the box in plastic garbage bag it helps with moisture and heating but a mixture that is not to wet squeeze all the moisture out it will make a sound in your hand and drip water when squeezed which means a bit dryer mixture you will know when the right amount of moisture is there try looking for your styrofoam box at the fruit market or fish market good luck 

Edited October 11, 2023 by happypalms
Sorry wrong photo

[Hardypalms]

6 hours ago, happypalms said:

Put the box in plastic garbage bag it helps with moisture and heating but a mixture that is not to wet squeeze all the moisture out it will make a sound in your hand and drip water when squeezed which means a bit dryer mixture you will know when the right amount of moisture is there try looking for your styrofoam box at the fruit market or fish market good luck 

Looking good

Thxs a lot

Pat