Beginning the germination process! – Page 12 – Germination – PalmsNorth.com

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · 2011-01-28T23:49:38Z

I'm now starting to prepare for (hopefully) germinating quite a variety of seeds. I have somewhere around 100 different species of seed that I'll try to germinate, but I'm going to start with the seeds which I have the most of. Later on, I'll try to germinate the rest. I'll try to document the process as best as I can (ex. numbers of seed, days to first signs of germination, temp/soil, etc) throughout the coming months (or years :lol:), and hopefully this post can serve as a reference for anyone else trying to germinate the same species! I'll take some pics with my BB.I've began converting my computer room into a bit of a "germination room". Many of the seeds require heat in order to grow (sabals, etc). I looked into germination mats, but it would cost hundreds of dollars to cover a 6' x 6' area. I've ordered 24' of Flexwatt heat tape (the 11" width), as well as some dimmer switches to attach to the tape. The dimmer switches control the amount of power that goes into the heat tape, therefore controlling the temps. I'm going to cut the tape to size, lay it on the floor, and use it as a germination area. I'm also going to be trying out a product called Nitrozyme, which has been recommended by many palm websites for increased germination. To try to get a comparison of the product vs. nothing, I'll have a seperate space where I'll apply Nitrozyme to some seeds, and nothing to others. I'll check which ones germinate first, and if there seems to be any increased growth due to the product. I only have a 100 ml bottle, so I'll have to make it last! :lol: In the next post, I'll list which seeds I'll be trying first. Hopefully I'll start sowing them sometime next week!Cameron.

canadianplant

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Thanks cameron...

You have a general germination time for Trachycarpus Nanus?

And, im wondering if youve germinated your Paulownia seeds yet?

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

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Posted : 21/02/2011 7:07 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I haven't tried Nanus, so I'm not sure how long they would take. Maybe RPS has some info.

As for the Paulownia, I'm sowing the seeds tomorrow! I've been really busy lately 😆

Posted : 21/02/2011 7:10 pm

canadianplant

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NO thats good to know!, I was thinking of sowing mine. Id like a decent one to plant for the summer. Im probably going to be giving most of them away. How you going to do it?

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 21/02/2011 7:13 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I'm not quite sure, but I don't think I'll be using the potato flakes that some people say to use

Posted : 21/02/2011 7:18 pm

canadianplant

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i dont like that idea either. To me wet potato flakes = mould. Im thinking of mixing it with perlite. Thats the closest thing i have LOL.

Im probably going to do it liek you did the Monkey Puzzle trees.

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 21/02/2011 7:19 pm

canadianplant

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I sowed them today. Looks like they came with some potato flakes mixed with the seeds. Oh well LOL

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 22/02/2011 3:55 pm

CTPalm

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Cameron I got brave and decided to try and delid 5 of the Jubaea you sent me last night. Ok I cracked the 1st one open with pliars perfectly, next one was ruined, then the next 2 had little cracks in them and the 5th I wacked with a hammer and perfect!!! So I sanded 'til I could see embryo on two perfect and two w/ cracks put in water and when I woke up 3 had already started to pop!!! What do I do next, leave them in water to grow a little more or transplant in dirt or perlite.
Thanks
Paul

Posted : 25/02/2011 6:31 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Good job, Paul!! Leave them in water for another day or two, and then transfer them to a medium which is as sterile as possible (ie boil some water and pour it over the medium first).

Posted : 25/02/2011 10:31 pm

lucky1

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That's exciting Paul, well done.

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 26/02/2011 12:24 am

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I spent around 9 or 10 hours mixing soil and planting everything today. Everything from the beginning of the thread is planted except for the Eucalyptus (I ran out of containers, room, and soil!). I'll take some pics and post them soon!

Posted : 27/02/2011 3:36 am

canadianplant

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Nice dude

Ive gotten almsot every thing planted, cept those australian species, the aloe and agave and liek you, the eucs. Mine are still in the fridge. I need more lights 👿

Has anything popped yet?

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 27/02/2011 8:46 am

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Here are some pics now that everything's planted:

Canadianplant, I've had the unknown fern germinate, along with more t. fortunei. You can never have too many 😈

I also planted a few of my Welwitschia mirabilis seeds, and am looking forward to see how they do!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia

Cameron.

Posted : 27/02/2011 3:11 pm

canadianplant

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Nice.... Looks like youve been playing your tetris LOL

I know someone who was looking for Welwitschia mirabilis seeds. He linked me the pic and i asked him why he send me a pic of a dead animal LOL. That increased its coolness for me !

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 27/02/2011 3:48 pm

lucky1

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Good job Cameron that it all fits in there!
Will be good to see updates as everything spikes up.

Hope the only thing that doesn't grow is your feet. 😆
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 27/02/2011 4:20 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Thanks! It will be interesting to see what breaks the surface first. I have a feeling it will be one of the agaves or the callistemon.

Canadianplant, I read somewhere that the roots of an old Welwitschia can be almost 100 feet deep!!

Posted : 27/02/2011 7:10 pm