Hi, I've been trying to grow what I think are chamaedorea tepejilotes from seeds I collected at the zoo. They germinate like crazy and grow very happily in my incubator until they have one nice bifid leaf. But then they start yellowing and looking anemic and eventually turn brown and die. I'm starting to wonder if they're getting too much light or heat since they naturally like it cool/wet/shady. I've been growing in an incubator and indoor greenhouse with overhead light (12 hours on/off) and bottom heat. The temp in the greenhouse thing fluctuates between 80-95F (27-35C) and humidity between 60-80% depending on the sun in the garage, and the bottom-heat is kept at a constant 90F (32C). Recently I've moved them off the bottom-heat. I also moved two seedlings outside once I started to see the beginning of a 2nd leaf, and these seem to be doing OK so far. I checked the roots on some of them and they seem fine - they're all growing in a coir/perlite mix sometimes with some bark. Any suggestions? Does this look like too much heat/light?

These conditions have been working well for many other species (syagrus, bismarckia, chamaerops, brahea, etc) but maybe it's too bright/hot for these chams?

Too wet, overwatering, damping off, pithium or Phytophera. Do the containers have drainage holes? Or possibly to much heat they do like humidity not dry hot conditions especially as seedlings. Or they have dried out the roots. These are about the only things that go wrong with seedlings apart from over fertilised and animal damage.

I have germinated various species of Chamaedorea and never used heat mats or incubators . In fact , I have had very good success planting seeds in the garden . I am currently germinating C. Oblongata , C. Microspadix , C. Radicalis , Arenga Engleri , as well as Archontophoenix and a couple Dypsis varieties , Kentiopsis oliviformis and Chambeyronia Hookeri . I had been using my work bench in the garage over winter but had equal success in the ground on the side of my house. I know heat mats work with some sub tropical or tropical palms but I have never used that method . I recently built ( kit )a small greenhouse to house the seedlings because I needed to keep them contained in one place. I think natural light and temperature is all you need . Try putting the seedlings outside in the shade , water as you do any potted palm and you may find it will work . I planted two C. Tepejelote , that were not much larger than yours , on the side of the house . They are huge now. You have a great growing area in San Diego . Take advantage of it . Harry

This C. Radicalis Tree Form grew in the garden from seed.

Howea Foresteriana germinated and grew outdoors over winter.

More C. Radicalis in a community pot , grown from seeds from my own palms , outdoors.

This is one of two C. Tepejelote (this one is a clumping form )that were planted as seedlings

Another “volunteer “ sprouting in the garden , Howea F.

C. Microspadix I grew from seed from one of my palms , outdoors always.

I was able to get this Wodyetia Bifurcata to germinate in the garden. Seed came from a friend’s palm . Unfortunately a rodent made a meal of it.🙁