Chambeyronia seeds from rarepalmseeds.com

[harleyb]

Good morning from New Zealand!

First time posting here but I've been reading your posts for a while.

I recently bought (well I thought I did) some chambeyronia macrocarpa seeds from rarepalmseeds.com on 15 February, and ever since then... nothing. The order shows as "processing" on their website and they have not responded to my three recent emails asking for an update. I'm starting to think that I've just done myself out of a few hundred dollars here. 😞

I've not previously had any trouble with RPS apart from orders being a bit slow to arrive (partly because of where I am). I've got plenty of bizzies and ravenala growing from RPS-sourced seeds, no problems at all.

Has anyone else had recent problems with them? Are they going out of business? And, assuming that this order is a dead duck,  where else could I source some nice fresh chambeyronia seeds, not just a handful of dubious quality ones from the likes of ebay?

Thanks for your help!

Harley 🙂

[RichardHemsley]

Brought from them a few months ago with no problems. 

[WagnerMX]

On 3/29/2024 at 1:14 PM, harleyb said:

I recently bought (well I thought I did) some chambeyronia macrocarpa seeds from rarepalmseeds.com on 15 February, and ever since then... nothing. The order shows as "processing" on their website and they have not responded to my three recent emails asking for an update

I placed an order on March 13, which was shipped on March 22.

[harleyb]

Thanks for the replies. An update, happily a positive one. It turns out that RPS had been replying to my emails, but my email provider here was refusing delivery. So I had no idea that they were responding. They finally got through to me via an alternative address. The delay with my order is due to NZs strict biosecurity policies, as expected. And now, thankfully, communication is ok again. 🙂

Here's hoping that my chambey seeds will still be viable by the time they get here!

[David B]

For New Zealand RPS must obtain a phytosanitary certificate with country of origin. It often takes a month or more.... Then courier ..... then customs which can take 1- 2 weeks....

[harleyb]

On 4/12/2024 at 9:29 PM, David B said:

For New Zealand RPS must obtain a phytosanitary certificate with country of origin. It often takes a month or more.... Then courier ..... then customs which can take 1- 2 weeks....

Yep, that is indeed the case. I'm told that my chambey seeds are now finally in transit, 2 months after I placed my order. On past experience, it might be another 3 or 4 weeks before they arrive. It will be interesting to see how many are still viable, especially since my order seems to have taken out pretty much the last of their available stock so perhaps they were not so fresh to start with. Here hoping for at least some success.. eventually!

[WagnerMX]

On 4/18/2024 at 3:02 AM, harleyb said:

Yep, that is indeed the case. I'm told that my chambey seeds are now finally in transit, 2 months after I placed my order. On past experience, it might be another 3 or 4 weeks before they arrive. It will be interesting to see how many are still viable, especially since my order seems to have taken out pretty much the last of their available stock so perhaps they were not so fresh to start with. Here hoping for at least some success.. eventually!

The "watermelon" variety? I ordered seeds from that batch near the end of October (sowing late November) and so far germination is 8/10.

[harleyb]

On 4/23/2024 at 8:30 AM, WagnerMX said:

The "watermelon" variety? I ordered seeds from that batch near the end of October (sowing late November) and so far germination is 8/10.

That's good to know, thanks. Yes they're the Watermelon variety. Hopefully 6 months later now they're still almost as viable. I see my order is in NZ customs now so not long before I get to sow them. Peat pellets at the ready. 🙂

[harleyb]

And they have finally arrived today! 2.5 months after ordering... No surprises there given NZ's strict biosecurity processes. Now to read up on how best to germinate them. 🙂

[harleyb]

Out of 50 seeds received, 4 were rotten and another 8 had blackened embryos, leaving 38 that I was happy with. Of those, 3 have germinated so far after a month... a bit slow but I'm having a bit of trouble keeping the seed raising mix warmer than 25C in our winter weather so that's probably why they're taking their time.

Next time I see someone disposing of an old fridge I might grab it for use as an incubator!

[happypalms]

On 6/8/2024 at 6:00 PM, harleyb said:

Out of 50 seeds received, 4 were rotten and another 8 had blackened embryos, leaving 38 that I was happy with. Of those, 3 have germinated so far after a month... a bit slow but I'm having a bit of trouble keeping the seed raising mix warmer than 25C in our winter weather so that's probably why they're taking their time.

Next time I see someone disposing of an old fridge I might grab it for use as an incubator!

Use bottom heating mats cheap on eBay 

[harleyb]

On 7/23/2024 at 9:41 PM, happypalms said:

Use bottom heating mats cheap on eBay 

 Got myself an old fridge for $1... and an old 60W desk lamp for another $1 to heat it with. Working perfectly on a thermostat with several shelves full of goodies. 😀

[harleyb]

The Chambeys are growing well, I now have about 25 young seedlings from the original 50 seeds received so not too bad all things considered. They certainly are slow growers, even with added warmth, but at least they are growing!