Longest germination time for a cycad

[Dan64]

Didn’t find anything searching so figured I do a thread. What has been peoples longest time time for germination. You can go by Genus or in general 

Dan

[Brian]

Search “How to Optimize Cycad Seed Germination” and you will find some good information on cycad germination times.

Ive germinated most of the genera and Encephalartos seems to take the longest. If I remember correctly some took up to 9 months to germinate once I laid them down. The trick is to know when the embryo is ready before laying them down.

I’ve also had Encephalartos seeds germinate without breaking through the point of the seed shell. I carefully cut the shell away to expose the sprout inside which was just making a circle around the inside of the shell. I could see a bulge in the seed shell so I knew something wasn’t right. 
Are you trying to germinate Cycad seeds and if so which ones?

 

[Dan64]

42 minutes ago, Brian said:

Search “How to Optimize Cycad Seed Germination” and you will find some good information on cycad germination times.

Ive germinated most of the genera and Encephalartos seems to take the longest. If I remember correctly some took up to 9 months to germinate once I laid them down. The trick is to know when the embryo is ready before laying them down.

I’ve also had Encephalartos seeds germinate without breaking through the point of the seed shell. I carefully cut the shell away to expose the sprout inside which was just making a circle around the inside of the shell. I could see a bulge in the seed shell so I knew something wasn’t right. 
Are you trying to germinate Cycad seeds and if so which ones?

 

I’ve germinated a few Dioon species but I’ve got some Encephalartos transvenosus/woodii hybrid seeds I’ve setup. Still early on as they have only been setup for a month now and the viability rate I know isn’t going to be great. I’ll definitely have to keep my eye on them now for possibly germinating and not be able to get out of the shell.

Dan

[happypalms]

Try 18 months after purchasing this ferox seed. I gave up and walked away giving up all hope, it was only the fact I left it the container and forgot about, to my surprise a baby ferox!

[happypalms]

1 minute ago, happypalms said:

Try 18 months after purchasing this ferox seed. I gave up and walked away giving up all hope, it was only the fact I left it the container and forgot about, to my surprise a baby ferox!

Horridus sorry, not ferox! 

[Dan64]

7 hours ago, happypalms said:

Try 18 months after purchasing this ferox seed. I gave up and walked away giving up all hope, it was only the fact I left it the container and forgot about, to my surprise a baby ferox!

Now that’s a long wait!! But well worth it!

[PalmsandLiszt]

Cycas thouarsii took an age to germinate; I can't remember exactly how long, but well over a year. Once they finally sprout, they grow like the devil, though.

On the other end of the scale, the quickest cycads to germinate once I'd received the seeds have been Zamias. My record is one and a half days, which I think was imperialis, or possibly it was nesophila. Unfortunately, I'm very good at killing tropical Zamias, so easy come, easy go.

[Dan64]

3 hours ago, PalmsandLiszt said:

Cycas thouarsii took an age to germinate; I can't remember exactly how long, but well over a year. Once they finally sprout, they grow like the devil, though.

On the other end of the scale, the quickest cycads to germinate once I'd received the seeds have been Zamias. My record is one and a half days, which I think was imperialis, or possibly it was nesophila. Unfortunately, I'm very good at killing tropical Zamias, so easy come, easy go.

So patience and instant gratification are on the horizon for me this coming year lol My fastest so far has been Dioon rzedowskii at 2 weeks.

Dan