Six special seeds lepidorrhachis mooreana

[happypalms]

Six special little seeds to me the mooreana. A bit like Jak and the beanstalk these ones. Although I didn’t have to trade a cow to get them thankfully. They don’t look much now but if I can germinate them, I know they will look pretty special to me. 

[Jonathan]

Richard...outside in the deepest shade with those seeds! 

Absolutely no bottom heat, they want to be between 10 to 20c max.

[Harry’s Palms]

Can’t wait to see them little guys! Good luck with the germination . Harry

[tim_brissy_13]

I was recently lucky enough to get the small plants, but I’m actually more surprised that seed is available? Are these from cultivated plants in Aus Richard? If so, that’s awesome for conservation. I wasn’t aware of any on the mainland producing seed. 

[happypalms]

11 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Richard...outside in the deepest shade with those seeds! 

Absolutely no bottom heat, they want to be between 10 to 20c max.

I might take the bag of them as well, it’s just for vermin purposes, but if outside I will leave it on otherwise to wet and rats. 

[happypalms]

11 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Can’t wait to see them little guys! Good luck with the germination . Harry

You can’t wait neither can I !

Richard 

[happypalms]

11 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

I was recently lucky enough to get the small plants, but I’m actually more surprised that seed is available? Are these from cultivated plants in Aus Richard? If so, that’s awesome for conservation. I wasn’t aware of any on the mainland producing seed. 

Sworn to secrecy on this one or the palm mafia gang will have me swimming with the fishes 🐟 

[Jonathan]

7 hours ago, happypalms said:

I might take the bag of them as well, it’s just for vermin purposes, but if outside I will leave it on otherwise to wet and rats. 

Yep, leave the bag on. I germinated some, years ago, in a big clear Tupperware container, lid on. But with a good air gap at the top. Media was 50/50 peat and perlite, with the seeds on top, then lightly covered with sphagnum.

Outside in the shadehouse, they germinated sporadically over three years, and a few up to five years later. Maybe 80% germination. Very high seedling mortality though. They're super sensitive until they're a few years old, then pretty tough. 

Good luck!

[happypalms]

31 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

Yep, leave the bag on. I germinated some, years ago, in a big clear Tupperware container, lid on. But with a good air gap at the top. Media was 50/50 peat and perlite, with the seeds on top, then lightly covered with sphagnum.

Outside in the shadehouse, they germinated sporadically over three years, and a few up to five years later. Maybe 80% germination. Very high seedling mortality though. They're super sensitive until they're a few years old, then pretty tough. 

Good luck!

Thanks I did 50/50 mix as you did, I might bring them in the front enclosed veranda not as cold as the greenhouse coming into winter. I got super sensitive fingers and two green thumbs so time will how good those little propagation fingers work. Thanks for the info. 

[Jonathan]

6 minutes ago, happypalms said:

Thanks I did 50/50 mix as you did, I might bring them in the front enclosed veranda not as cold as the greenhouse coming into winter. I got super sensitive fingers and two green thumbs so time will how good those little propagation fingers work. Thanks for the info. 

Cold won't be a problem for you! My seeds were always outside through several Tasmanian winters...heat will be the problem. They want to be cool. When I said 10 to 20c earlier, I meant daily maximums! They would have been down to zero every now and then. Keep them cool if you can.

[happypalms]

4 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

Cold won't be a problem for you! My seeds were always outside through several Tasmanian winters...heat will be the problem. They want to be cool. When I said 10 to 20c earlier, I meant daily maximums! They would have been down to zero every now and then. Keep them cool if you can.

Thanks iam just going to bring them into the veranda on the ground sitting on rocks they will e fine I think. And I will go with the kiss method it’s not rocket science but……

[tim_brissy_13]

3 hours ago, happypalms said:

Thanks iam just going to bring them into the veranda on the ground sitting on rocks they will e fine I think. And I will go with the kiss method it’s not rocket science but……

Might be hard in your location, but I’d avoid temps above the low 20s as much as you possibly can. I’ve recently over heated Ceroxylon, Geonoma undata and Arenga micrantha seed at 26C and these are likely to be even more sensitive. 

[happypalms]

17 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Might be hard in your location, but I’d avoid temps above the low 20s as much as you possibly can. I’ve recently over heated Ceroxylon, Geonoma undata and Arenga micrantha seed at 26C and these are likely to be even more sensitive. 

With winter approaching there’s a nice cool spot in the garden with soil temperatures dropping now, so a pot sitting out in the shade will get plenty of cold weather. Plus if I sit it on the ground it will get cold. I have seen a few habitat shots and now the rats have been eliminated there germinating on the forest floor and the temperatures are at about 14 degrees now. 

[Tyrone]

Heat is the enemy of this species. Don’t even let the sun hit them. If vermin is a problem enclose in vermin proof wire. You’ll not forgive yourself if rats or mice knock your 6 seeds off in one night. 
Your summers will be a big issue for them. They don’t like dewpoints above 20C. 23C dewpoints will see mass leaf browning. At the top of mt Gower in a heatwave the temp there may hit 22C, with clouds and mist not too far away. Perfect for a protected spot in Tasmania or coastal NZ. 

[Tyrone]

Seed can also take up to 6 years to germinate I’ve found. Don’t give up on them. 

[happypalms]

21 hours ago, Tyrone said:

Heat is the enemy of this species. Don’t even let the sun hit them. If vermin is a problem enclose in vermin proof wire. You’ll not forgive yourself if rats or mice knock your 6 seeds off in one night. 
Your summers will be a big issue for them. They don’t like dewpoints above 20C. 23C dewpoints will see mass leaf browning. At the top of mt Gower in a heatwave the temp there may hit 22C, with clouds and mist not too far away. Perfect for a protected spot in Tasmania or coastal NZ. 

I can only try. But my summer may be an issue. If I do get any growing some lucky growers down south in Melbourne may be in luck. I don’t think WA would be there friend. 

[Jonathan]

10 hours ago, happypalms said:

I can only try. But my summer may be an issue. If I do get any growing some lucky growers down south in Melbourne may be in luck. I don’t think WA would be there 

I reckon that's a great idea...they seem to do ok in coastal California, so Victoria is a good option if you have any luck with germination. I suspect that one summer at your place would be the equivalent of one winter for a coconut at mine!

[Tyrone]

11 hours ago, happypalms said:

I can only try. But my summer may be an issue. If I do get any growing some lucky growers down south in Melbourne may be in luck. I don’t think WA would be there friend. 

Yeah I’m struggling to keep mine alive. Melbourne has warmer summers than my place but I have warmer and wetter winters than Melbourne. 

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, Jonathan said:

I reckon that's a great idea...they seem to do ok in coastal California, so Victoria is a good option if you have any luck with germination. I suspect that one summer at your place would be the equivalent of one winter for a coconut at mine!

Wonder if @tim_brissy_13 has any!

[happypalms]

28 minutes ago, happypalms said:

Wonder if @tim_brissy_13 has any!

If they can’t get they cant get in. This will stuff em. 

[Jonathan]

2 hours ago, happypalms said:

If they can’t get they cant get in. This will stuff em. 

If a rat can get into that then you've got a little Hairy Houdini on your hands!

[tim_brissy_13]

5 hours ago, happypalms said:

Wonder if @tim_brissy_13 has any!

I have a couple thanks to another Palmtalk member. They’re happy so far but it’s early days. Deep shade and moisture for these two. 

[Tyrone]

1 hour ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

I have a couple thanks to another Palmtalk member. They’re happy so far but it’s early days. Deep shade and moisture for these two. 

They look awesome. 
What’s the maximum temp they would have seen thru this summer? 

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

I have a couple thanks to another Palmtalk member. They’re happy so far but it’s early days. Deep shade and moisture for these two. 

A little birdie told me where you got them. Iam sworn to secrecy palm mafia orders🤣

[happypalms]

4 hours ago, Jonathan said:

If a rat can get into that then you've got a little Hairy Houdini on your hands!

I even cable tied the door shut. He wanna be good or iam a monkeys uncle🤣

[tim_brissy_13]

3 hours ago, Tyrone said:

They look awesome. 
What’s the maximum temp they would have seen thru this summer? 

They’ve only been with me for about 6 weeks Tyrone, so nothing over 30 yet. They’re in the coolest spot in the garden where sun will never hit the fronds or soil. In the same area Oraniopsis, Hedyscepe, Linospadix apetiolatus, microcaryus, minor and monostachyos are going well under the canopy of a triple Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Howea forsteriana.  I know Lepidorrachis will be another level above them as a challenge but I’m hopeful. 

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

They’ve only been with me for about 6 weeks Tyrone, so nothing over 30 yet. They’re in the coolest spot in the garden where sun will never hit the fronds or soil. In the same area Oraniopsis, Hedyscepe, Linospadix apetiolatus, microcaryus, minor and monostachyos are going well under the canopy of a triple Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Howea forsteriana.  I know Lepidorrachis will be another level above them as a challenge but I’m hopeful. 

You got me on the linospadix apetiolatus never heard of it!

[Tassie_Troy1971]

They struggle to survive down here in coastal Tasmania but oh well  🤷 

[happypalms]

48 minutes ago, Tassie_Troy1971 said:

They struggle to survive down here in coastal Tasmania but oh well  🤷 

Oh what a shame, I would have thought by the looks of that photo, she’s a rocking the house down! Absolutely gorgeous 🤣

[coops 3214]

On 5/17/2025 at 7:47 PM, tim_brissy_13 said:

I have a couple thanks to another Palmtalk member. They’re happy so far but it’s early days. Deep shade and moisture for these two. 

They will do fine tim the first 2 I had were doing fine in heavily composted sand  and pine bark for mulch growing with a howea and a hedyescepe for shelter and they never looked back until a fence fire stopped all that hopefully my new ones will do the same I will put shade cloth over them for a few years until the shade is all back

 

[Tyrone]

On 5/17/2025 at 10:34 PM, tim_brissy_13 said:

They’ve only been with me for about 6 weeks Tyrone, so nothing over 30 yet. They’re in the coolest spot in the garden where sun will never hit the fronds or soil. In the same area Oraniopsis, Hedyscepe, Linospadix apetiolatus, microcaryus, minor and monostachyos are going well under the canopy of a triple Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Howea forsteriana.  I know Lepidorrachis will be another level above them as a challenge but I’m hopeful. 

They look great. Im hoping they do really well for you. 

[happypalms]

58 minutes ago, Tyrone said:

They look great. Im hoping they do really well for you. 

Tim has got it growing, he’s got so many varieties the only thing holding him back is space, oh and of course the cold weather. But I fear what his place would look like if it was five acres and in a nice subtropical or tropical climat, he would have an abundance of palms that’s for sure .