Germinating Hyphaene thebaica

[MichaelB]

Received these two Hyphaene thebaica seeds and am super excited! In researching germination of this species it was evident that mechanical scarification is a must for improving chances of successful germination. I am not surprised, as the outer seed coat is like hard plastic.  I used a coping saw to trim off the top and bottom of each seed, then made cuts around the the remaining seed coat. Hopefully this yields good results. Also, is it just me or do these things smell really good? Like pancake syrup. 

 

 

[Harry’s Palms]

Looking forward to updates on this . Interesting seed , quite large . I am curious to see if these are successful for you. Harry

[Fusca]

I believe @Meangreen94z has germinated these - perhaps he can provide some tips.

[Jonathan Haycock]

I used a serrated bread knife to trim the outer “pulp”, after soaking the seeds for a week in water (changed daily). Think I placed a plate or something over the seed to push them below the water, as they might have floated (I forget now). The seeds are very tough and don’t damage easy so fairly aggressive trimming with the knife was possible.

I germinated mine in sphagnum baggies placed inside a plastic box with lid, on a heat mat (35C, 25C night). If fresh, they will pop fast, in a matter of a few weeks. 

[Meangreen94z]

Yes. I was told to soak them for a few days and trim off the old dried fruit. What you cut into is the fruit not the seed.

[kinzyjr]

I've sprouted these before.  As the posters above have stated, you want to remove the gingerbread-like fruit without damaging the actual seed.  In my case, I soak them to soften the fruit up a little and then remove the pulp using hand-pruners.  Once you have them cleaned, put them in a 1 gallon freezer back with your favorite moist potting medium, turn on the heat, and wait a few weeks.  You'll get a bright white root coming out, roughly the diameter of your pinky finger.  At that point, move to a deep pot and wait for them to do their thing.

[MichaelB]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I think with the cuts I have already made, removing the rest shouldn't be too bad after soaking a few days. It already feels noticeably softer after about 12 hours of soaking.  

[LowDesertBoil]

I soaked the 50 I got in a bucket of water for 5 days. That made the outer shell soft enough to shear off the outer layer. I then planted then in deep pots and stuck them outside in the 90-117 degree wheather we have and 2 months later over half have germinated... That tap root is very well endowed... get a deep pot!

[LowDesertBoil]

I still have another 50 to plant haha

 

[LowDesertBoil]

kinzyjr actually tutered me on the soaking and shearing method. It works very well! Thanks again, kinzyjr!

[kinzyjr]

2 hours ago, LowDesertBoil said:

I still have another 50 to plant haha

Might have to get a few of these from you.

[LowDesertBoil]

Haha, gonna prep the other ones in a couple days! Also have 100 Medemia Argun I just prepped, also have about 50 Hyphaene Coriacea seeds I just potted up as well! Ordered more as well of both! Love these palms!

[LowDesertBoil]

I have noticed Hyphaene Coriacea, Thebaica, and Compressa seem to really love the desert heat! I have not had much luck with Hyphaene Dichotama, and Petersiana are having a rough time with the enviorment here. I really want to get a Hyphaene Dankaliensis! Seeds seem impossible to find for these...

[MichaelB]

I never followed up on this, but after making the initial cuts then soaking the seeds for a day, I was able to remove the rest of the pulp fairly easily. Still no germination activity yet.