Dwarf Phoenix Theophrastii?

[Mishaq]

Hi everyone, I have a bunch of p. Theophrastii seedlings growign at the moment, they are probably about 2 months old at this point.

Interestingly there is just one individual which is MUCH smaller than the rest with a much narrower and shorter first strap leaf (see image), it is about the size of a similarly aged roebelenii seedling. My question is, Is this a dwarf (potential roebelenii cross) and will it STAY smaller than its siblings, or will it eventually catch up and become normal sized.

I am interested as a dwarf theophrasti OR theo/roeb cross would be a very interesting specimen in my opinion.

[PalmatierMeg]

I can't say for sure what it is from 1 strap leaf but it looks interesting. I would grow it up to see what I get. It could be theophrastii or a hybrid with another Phoenix but you won't know a thing until it grows up and goes bipinnate.

I have a collection of what I've dubbed "uber dwarf" Sabal minors that are as small as 18" tall x 30" wide and come true from seed. Maybe there are uber dwarf Phoenix out there.

[Fusca]

@Mishaq, did all of the seeds have the same size and shape?  Maybe you have multiple species.  This happens sometimes with seed sellers online.  Just a bit of information, if one of your theophrasti seedlings starts to twist around it's a female plant.  Good luck with growing!

[Phoenikakias]

54 minutes ago, Fusca said:

 if one of your theophrasti seedlings starts to twist around it's a female plant.  

What, what?

[Fusca]

6 minutes ago, Phoenikakias said:

What, what?

Isn't that a characteristic from a study that you posted awhile back?  Or did I misunderstand something?

[Las Palmas Norte]

Why is the single smaller seedling separate from the other, taller ones in a larger communal pot? Did these germinate in the respective pots as we see them currently? 

 

[Mishaq]

@Las Palmas Norte 

They all germinated in the communal pot, I separated the dwarf one as it was interesting.

 

@Fusca

Yes all seeds were standard theophrastii seeds that I am used to seeing. I would definitely notice if a roebelenii seed was mixed into the bag. Also the leaf is far too stiff and "theophrastii-like" for me to consider this possibility as I have roebeleniis in a pot next to this one, and the difference is clear.

[Phoenikakias]

11 hours ago, Fusca said:

Isn't that a characteristic from a study that you posted awhile back?  Or did I misunderstand something?

Of course but bear in mind please that it is not a scientific study but an anecdotal report about a practice followed by date growers somewhere in Asia. Beside there are innumerous  date varieties, many of which in N Africa are the result of gene flow from local wild sp. So a very complicated situation. Also this popular practice needs the use  of a matt on the surface of sowing medium and observation how sprouts penetrate this matt.

[Phoenikakias]

Sometimes or several ones, it is only a whim of the embryo but in such a case, provided that endosperm is healthy, this sort of seedling will produce faster ore subsequent leaves obtaining in future a regular look.