The old story about Soviet experiment with P. dactylifera

[Henoh_Croatia]

Phoenix dactylifera was started to be introduced in former USSR during 1930s in Turkmenistan, Kizyl-Atrek. Experimental station for introduction of subtropical plants was founded in 1934., and experiments with P. dactylifera started in 1935. Group of botanist enthusiasts (students of Ivan Vladimirovich Michurin, Russian practitioner of selection) planted 200 young P. dactylifera of Iran origin. In the same time, they also planted approximately 4000 seeds (16 different sorts from USA, Arizona and Iran) from which 700 seedlings survived first winter in the soil. They believed, according to studying of Michurin, that palms which survived could possibly develop into a new sort adapted to new environment. First palm flowered in1939. but didn’t bring fruits because it flowered late in that year. 1940. for the first time they had success and picked some dates. In harsh winter (absolute minimum -13) of 1949 all palms lost their leaves, but in the next spring developed all new. Largest of them, a 13 year old, had 8 meters and 24 leaves in 1949. In the same year that palm gave around 50 kg of dates. Record low temperature (-15,4 Celsius) date plantation experienced in winter 1968/69. Some palms were killed because of winter and some from floods of nearby river Atrek. Old village Kizyl Atrek (today Turkmen official Gyzyletrek) moved 7 km north from original position, also due to flooding. Leftover plantation is neglected, and one part is destroyed because of construction of a new railway station (1993).
Some of palm plantation still exist.
The botanical station there still exists and is involved in date palm conservation project:
http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/tm/tm-nbsap-01-en.pdf

Old plantation photo from 1967.


My seedling.


I got three seeds, I hope is true one, from that plantation.

[lucky1]

Wonderful story.
Isn't it thrilling when people (scientists included) try things that everyone else says won't work.
How sad the entire plantation wasn't able to be maintained and protected from the railroad construction.

-13 is darn cold for Phoenix but how wonderful dates were produced from the survivors.

Thanks for the link (in English...wonderful!).
Fascinating area, especially near the Caspian sea.
Very diverse desert areas.

Great 1967 photo...how exciting that must have been to have the Dactys growing so well.

Have all 3 of your seeds germinated?
your picture shows a well-grown little Phoenix!

I started some Phoenix from Deglet Noor dates this winter.
Was amazed at the length of the first leaf, as shown here:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/6813217674/" title="005 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6813 ... 1d41_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="005"></a>

Good luck, hope that it's from the hardiest of the test parentage!
Barb

[Henoh_Croatia]

Hi Barb!

All three germinated, but only one is left. When is young it's easily rooted.

Most information about Soviet project I found in a good Russian book Saakov, S.G (1954), Palmy i ich kultura v SSSR, Moscow, Akad. Nauk SSSR, 1954.

[lucky1]

the Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan link you provided: impressive document.

Interesting references to jujube, pistachio, etc. ex situ development/restoration.

I learned a lot about Turkmenistan, thanks for that!
Barb

[canadianplant]

I believe they have Phoenix Canariensis in Sochi (ironicaly, where the winter olympics is held next)

http://www.sochi-travel.info/articles/p ... in-russia/

[Henoh_Croatia]

Yes, they have lot of palm species: W. robusta, W. filifera, B. capitata. J. chilensis, L. chinensis, S. palmetto, S. minor etc. Sochi is 9a zone.
Olympic fields are more inland, on the mountains.

Pics from Sochi and palms
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vlad2154/page3/

[lucky1]

9A zone...that would be heaven.

Your Flickr pics are fabulous...wow.

Barb

[DesertZone]

9A zone...that would be heaven.

Your Flickr pics are fabulous...wow.

Barb

I agree, loved every pic.

[Henoh_Croatia]

Pictures isn't mine. Flickr account is property of Vlad Feoktistov (I don't know him). But I agree pictures is fabulous!

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Those Turkmenistan cultivar P. dactylifera have always interested me. I have also read about an Iranian cultivar that is supposed to be quite hardy.