Sown on the 21-9-2024 a batch of RPS  masoala Madagascariensis. And I had given up on them and about to throw them out. I went through this box about 8 weeks ago and managed to get about 8 from the box. Thinking that was the end of them took the box of the heat mat, and needing a bit more room I was about to throw them away and thought just have a scratch through and to my surprise more have germinated. So I reckon there a bit like kentia seeds just don’t give up. There as slow to germinate as they are to grow. I even let the box dry out a bit which is what I did with the last batch I had some 3 years back. And I got 10 from 40 seeds out of that batch. My conclusion is there like kentia seeds sporadic and take a long time  and seem to like moisture in the beginning then let them dry out a little not completely still moist but a dry surface to 1cm in depth just above the top of the seed I may be wrong but has worked twice now. 

Patience is a frustrating virtue Richard, , the harder they are to get, the slower the germination and the lower the germination% it seems,

it may be a thing

regards

Colin

2 hours ago, palmtreesforpleasure said:

Patience is a frustrating virtue Richard, , the harder they are to get, the slower the germination and the lower the germination% it seems,

it may be a thing

regards

Colin

Patience is a virtue! Especially when it comes to palms!

Richard 

18 hours ago, happypalms said:

Sown on the 21-9-2024 a batch of RPS  masoala Madagascariensis. And I had given up on them and about to throw them out. I went through this box about 8 weeks ago and managed to get about 8 from the box. Thinking that was the end of them took the box of the heat mat, and needing a bit more room I was about to throw them away and thought just have a scratch through and to my surprise more have germinated. So I reckon there a bit like kentia seeds just don’t give up. There as slow to germinate as they are to grow. I even let the box dry out a bit which is what I did with the last batch I had some 3 years back. And I got 10 from 40 seeds out of that batch. My conclusion is there like kentia seeds sporadic and take a long time  and seem to like moisture in the beginning then let them dry out a little not completely still moist but a dry surface to 1cm in depth just above the top of the seed I may be wrong but has worked twice now. 

That brings back memories of when I germinated a batch. Slow to germinate, slow to grow, and unfortunate for me, easy to kill. You’re probably in the right environmental niche to grow them well. 

Way to go! I was tilling an area of garden bed that I had put some seeds of various palms , some Archontophoenix,  and Dypsis Decipiens , among others I happened to get my hands on . It had been a while and forgotten about and a few seeds came to the surface that were beginning to send roots out . I carefully planted them in a corner and I’m keeping them wet right now. With a bit of luck they will sprout , maybe , Decipiens? Harry

On 5/28/2025 at 8:43 AM, Tyrone said:

That brings back memories of when I germinated a batch. Slow to germinate, slow to grow, and unfortunate for me, easy to kill. You’re probably in the right environmental niche to grow them well. 

Give me a dollar for every palm I’ve killed, and I would be able to buy a block of land in Hawaii. Persistence is the key. Although I havent planted one it’s ground yet, the ones in my greenhouse are starting to move. 

On 5/28/2025 at 1:47 PM, Harry’s Palms said:

Way to go! I was tilling an area of garden bed that I had put some seeds of various palms , some Archontophoenix,  and Dypsis Decipiens , among others I happened to get my hands on . It had been a while and forgotten about and a few seeds came to the surface that were beginning to send roots out . I carefully planted them in a corner and I’m keeping them wet right now. With a bit of luck they will sprout , maybe , Decipiens? Harry

I have seen Howea sp germinate after 5 years in an old nursery bed covered up by weed mat. We had to fix the irrigation and I discovered them and called the boss in he was amazed. Never give up even now with half dead palms in containers they get put aside until the have rotted away and Iam pretty sure they are dead by then, but I do get surprised now and then at what lives when it was written off. 
Richard 

They are certainly slow... I have four-year-old seedlings, they will be for my grandchildren 😅. But they are certainly beautiful. Check this thread again in 2030 👍

8 hours ago, WagnerMX said:

They are certainly slow... I have four-year-old seedlings, they will be for my grandchildren 😅. But they are certainly beautiful. Check this thread again in 2030 👍

Yep slower than a wet week, no worries see you 2030 along with Buck Rodger’s and twiggy.🤣

For me this species germinated in 2 weeks. And the rate was pretty decent. I haven't made a count yet, but seems to be around 50-60%. That is solid for palm seeds.

1 hour ago, meridannight said:

For me this species germinated in 2 weeks. And the rate was pretty decent. I haven't made a count yet, but seems to be around 50-60%. That is solid for palm seeds.

 

Tell us all of your secrets 😅

3 hours ago, meridannight said:

For me this species germinated in 2 weeks. And the rate was pretty decent. I haven't made a count yet, but seems to be around 50-60%. That is solid for palm seeds.

Pretty fast that lot,where they rps seed?

4 minutes ago, happypalms said:

Pretty fast that lot,where they rps seed?

Yes, RPS. I ordered them as soon as they came in stock, and got them quite fresh like that. I was surprised myself that they came up so fast, because I had read posts over here, with most saying they can take a long time. But I guess if you have fresh seeds and right conditions it can take no time at all. 

My seedlings are slow though. So no surprises there. Gotta get around to taking a few pics of them.

8 hours ago, meridannight said:

Yes, RPS. I ordered them as soon as they came in stock, and got them quite fresh like that. I was surprised myself that they came up so fast, because I had read posts over here, with most saying they can take a long time. But I guess if you have fresh seeds and right conditions it can take no time at all. 

My seedlings are slow though. So no surprises there. Gotta get around to taking a few pics of them.

It takes at least 6 weeks for me to my rps orders due to customs delays. Sometimes longer. So fresh seeds are the key you got lucky. And yes they are slow to grow I know that much.

On 5/29/2025 at 8:54 AM, happypalms said:

Give me a dollar for every palm I’ve killed, and I would be able to buy a block of land in Hawaii. Persistence is the key. Although I havent planted one it’s ground yet, the ones in my greenhouse are starting to move. 

😁👍