Beginning the germination process! – Page 16 – 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.

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I've now noticed that 1 Puya chilensis has germinated, along with some Phoenix loureiroi. Here's what P. chilensis looks like when mature: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roger/2616960150/

Posted : 03/03/2011 8:13 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Maihuenia poeppigii and Welwitschia mirabilis have now started to germinate as well 😀

Posted : 04/03/2011 5:12 pm

lucky1

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Good germination conditions are producing fast results.
Well done, Cameron.

You'll be busy... 😆

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Posted : 04/03/2011 6:00 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I took a few new pics today.

Welwitschia mirabilis:

Aloe ecklonis:

Posted : 05/03/2011 8:42 pm

canadianplant

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DUDE

Grats! I cant wait to see some green inside the ALoe baggie! ( Im using the baggie method for room reasons) They seem to have a fairly even germination eh?

WHich var. loureiri are you growing? Their really nice palms, great for pots!! Phoenix are some of my favorite palms. Dont know why. Theyre liek the ACDC of palms, can take the same 3 chords and make thousands of songs (the palms take the same basic characteristics but in lots of variation!). I have to pot up one of my Dactylifera seeds, its in a baggie and the poor taproot is circling the bag, with no leaf yet 😯

BTW you were dead on about how fast canna grow after sprouting. Cant wait to see what it ends up as

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

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Posted : 05/03/2011 8:58 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Thanks! Yeah the germinating aloes look a lot different than the agaves. The aloes are basically one short fat leaf, where the agaves are 2 taller and thinner leaves. Phoenix are also some of my favourite palms too. Since there aren't too many species in the genus, I've kind of made it my goal to grow some of each 😈 With the different species that I have right now, I think I'm like halfway there! 😆 I know what you mean about the dactylifera roots, they're way longer than the plant! Good luck with the cannas.

Posted : 05/03/2011 9:17 pm

TimMAz6

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Hi Cameron,

those are some cool plants. That W. mirabelis lives in an area with almost no rain.......update us how they fair.

Posted : 06/03/2011 9:38 am

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Tim, both Les Stroud from "Survivorman" and Bear Grylls from "Man vs. Wild" have done episodes in that area!

Posted : 06/03/2011 1:08 pm

lucky1

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Looks like mostly peat moss for the Aloe?
Nice germination rate!

For anyone sand-papering Copernicia palms:
<img src=" " width="500" height="392" alt="copernicia alba embryo" />

Barb

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

Posted : 06/03/2011 3:26 pm

lucky1

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The first Chamaerops humilis is up! :clown:

3 weeks from sand-papering, it's a remote (versus adjacent) germinator:

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

Posted : 06/03/2011 7:14 pm

canadianplant

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Awsome Barb!!!

"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 : 06/03/2011 7:15 pm

TimMAz6

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nice section through the Copernicia. I'll be starting seeds soon......typically in mid/late April........not far away now!

Posted : 06/03/2011 7:23 pm

lucky1

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Thanks!
Fun time of year (finally) when things pop.

Tim, that cross-section isn't mine...forgot the source, sorry.

And (drumroll) a Princeps:
Sand-papered mid-Feb, three day soak, into community pot Feb. 18.
16 days later, it's standing up!

Germination Rule:
1. Fresh Seed
2. Fresh Seed
3. Fresh Seed

oh, and did I mention seed should be fresh? :blob:

Barb

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

Posted : 06/03/2011 7:50 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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congrats, Barb!! 😀

Posted : 06/03/2011 8:17 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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I'm finally starting to see signs of germination in A. ovatifolia. Hopefully they'll be big enough to take a pic of tomorrow 😀

Posted : 06/03/2011 10:20 pm