W.filifera Seedlings

[SeanK]

Summer 2024 I purchased W.filifera seeds off of Etsy from a California native plant seller. I didn't try to germinate any until this year. First two popped after two weeks. Second two germinated at six weeks.

Seems the first two have a bit of red on them.

[jwitt]

I believe the "red" thing is a theory, and has been disproven. 

At least in my mind. 

To me, all four of your pics have "red". 

[DreaminAboutPalms]

You'll know in a few months how pure they really are.

[Fusca]

55 minutes ago, DreaminAboutPalms said:

You'll know in a few months how pure they really are.

Not necessarily.  I got this Washingtonia as a 5-gal this spring.  It didn't show any red color until this summer so it's 100% filibusta.  Petiole thorns indicate filifera so likely filifera dominant.

[DreaminAboutPalms]

That's true - usually takes a few years to be certain of a Washingtonia palm’s identity, but in practice you can often begin to infer differences within just a few months. If you’re growing 50 seedlings that were sold to you as Filifera and you notice significant variation among them, it’s very possible that they’re hybrids. In a true filifera seed lot, some minor variation is normal: slight differences in growth rate, leaf tone, or stiffness are to be expected and of course there will be less healthy ones that die immediately, but overall, the seedlings should look relatively similar, especially if they are grown in identical conditions.

[jwitt]

About the "red".

Wild pure filifera in native groves, some seedlings have shown red. 

I personally believe it to be a soil thing. 

I can turn it, off and on, in my yard, by applying fish emulsion(acidic). 

I have also seen it with pure filifera seed, and seed from the same batch.  Planted in my alkaline yard/soil, lack of red.  Plant in potting soil, or other highly organic matter, red more likely to be present. 

Now when the fourth or fifth leaf appears, the strap leaf disappears very quickly, and a strongly  divided and pleated true leaves begin to form. This is when the true difference and ability to identify begins.  This takes about four to five months in my climate, from sprout to true leaves. Probably longer in most types of pots other than deep liners. 

 

[jwitt]

7 hours ago, Fusca said:

Not necessarily.  I got this Washingtonia as a 5-gal this spring.  It didn't show any red color until this summer so it's 100% filibusta.  Petiole thorns indicate filifera so likely filifera dominant.

For me, the leaves are not pleated, or folded like a filifera.

[jwitt]

Even the second and third strap leaf show the strong pleating starting. 

2 months from seeds planted. 

Zoomed in/strong pleating/some red/hand picked from pure filifera grove