Germinating journey : borassus aethiopum

[Nico971]

Hello ! One of the most original palm to germinate. Maybe my technique was not the best but managed to have 2 beautiful seedlings : 

lost 3/5 because the tap root was too fast and got through the pot 

[Fusca]

Very nice!  It's a shame that you lost 3 but you probably don't have room for planting 5 Borassus!  😄

[Than]

Insane taproot. How long did the whole germination process take? Are the seedlings growing fast?

[Phoenikakias]

31 minutes ago, Than said:

Insane taproot. How long did the whole germination process take? Are the seedlings growing fast?

Up to +6 months depending on temperature

[happypalms]

I like it well done, it’s an art to what you’re doing and you’re doing it well! 

[Nico971]

4 hours ago, Than said:

Insane taproot. How long did the whole germination process take? Are the seedlings growing fast?

I got the seeds in march, root poped in about 2 weeks, full length tap root in May, first leaf in August. 
not growing super fast, I put one directly in the ground and it’s definitely going faster than the one in pot. Already 2 leaves and preparing a third one. The one in pot is still with a single leaf. 
 

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

I like it well done, it’s an art to what you’re doing and you’re doing it well! 

Inspired by you, I take that as a great compliment 🤩

[happypalms]

2 minutes ago, Nico971 said:

I got the seeds in march, root poped in about 2 weeks, full length tap root in May, first leaf in August. 
not growing super fast, I put one directly in the ground and it’s definitely going faster than the one in pot. Already 2 leaves and preparing a third one. The one in pot is still with a single leaf. 
 

Inspired by you, I take that as a great compliment 🤩

We learn as we grow and grow as we learn! Another grow tips absolutely no weeds in the containers, it’s a No No, a big grower mistake is weeds. Don’t let them into your container plants!

[Phoenikakias]

3 hours ago, happypalms said:

We learn as we grow and grow as we learn! Another grow tips absolutely no weeds in the containers, it’s a No No, a big grower mistake is weeds. Don’t let them into your container plants!

Agree but could you explain your point ?

[Harry’s Palms]

Amazing palm to try and germinate . Glad you got a couple to grow. Harry

[Nico971]

https://www.jibrilenterprise.com/product-page/african-fan-palm-borassus-aethiopum-3-seeds-20-shipping-10-phyto-cert-12
 

if anyone is interested in buying some seeds. They provide a phyto.  And the money goes to local enterprise in Ghana. They also sell many local food and seeds. 

[happypalms]

4 hours ago, Phoenikakias said:

Agree but could you explain your point ?

With weeds you get disease from the insects spreading them around (aphid vector disease one example) they harbour insects and are a perfect breeding ground for them, chewing and sap sucking. They suck the nutrients out of the soil. Constantly drinking any moisture they can get. There a maintenance issue costing time and money, and they basically look terrible, once they take hold you’re problems are exasperated. They one of the biggest costs in the horticultural industry. They are a sign of mismanagement and poor cultural practices. They can be a deterrent for people buying your plants, a lot of people don’t want to take home your seeds and spread new unwanted weeds. And there are noxious weeds that are poisonous to livestock, pets and humans especially children. All in all they are not good! And a weed free nursery looks good and we all know if it looks good it grows good.