Beginning the germination process! – Page 27 – 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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IS that the bamboo is the mid left of the second last pic?

"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 : 29/04/2011 10:01 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Yup! some of the plants are around half a foot tall now.

Posted : 29/04/2011 10:22 pm

canadianplant

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LOL

It happens, half my palm seedlings are doing the same. Only have so much room and light. LOL

I did notice the blue on the sabal, but I thought it was from the flash. ITll be interesting to see how they turn out!

WOW, that bamboo really took off too!. Mine didnt germinate yet, then again i dont have a way to provide constant bottom beat ( same reason NONE of my sabals sprouted yet)

Grats on the good success!!!

"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 : 30/04/2011 8:45 am

igor.glukhovtsev

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Cameron! How big your basement is? What are gonna do with all this stuff! Keep going and good luck!

Posted : 30/04/2011 10:06 am

lucky1

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Holy cow, Cameron...had been wondering how things were progressing.

😯 😀

Yup...those butia eriospatha will crawl up your wall looking for the window 😆

You'll need to take a week off to pot them up.

I'm impressed with the germination rate...
None of my nannorhops ritchiana came up despite 90F warmth near the woodstove.

Can't wait to see the hyophorbe lagenicaulis and lone Luxor plant by end of summer (that's a coup!)

Well done!
Barb

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

Posted : 30/04/2011 11:21 am

TimMAz6

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wow! Time for a greenhouse!!! Loads of plants. I have to start mine soon!

Posted : 30/04/2011 5:47 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Thanks, everyone!

Igor, I keep the plants in my computer room, so they're right behind me as I type this message 😆 I'd say the room is about 15' x 15' .

Barb, I just bought a bag of Pro-Mix, so I'll start potting some up very soon!

Posted : 30/04/2011 8:49 pm

CTPalm

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Wow Cameron - things are growing well! Just wondering, do you have a fan in there?

Paul

Posted : 30/04/2011 9:35 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Paul: no fan here. I try to open the windows as often as I can, but with the cold temps in the winter it's a bit of a challenge!

Posted : 30/04/2011 10:05 pm

ROBRETI

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Hey Cameron,

I waited until April to start with the euc seeds, thinking that they would grow too fast to be kept inside for long.... I used the simplest way: bought a cheap sprouting tray at Home Depot and have sown the seeds directly into the soaked peat bricks.

I have kept the seeds in the fridge for about a year (!!!!), simply due to the fact that last yer I thought I was too late for starting them from scratch plus the seeds had not been stratisfied.

I have great news for you: the seeds have started to succesfully germinate after being in the peat bricks for about 1 week! Actually, only the Euc. debeuzevellei shows this rate of enthusiasm but I am optimistic!

So, life have started for the little ones. If they grow at this rate, they will be ready to be transplanted into a larger pot (or outside?) in about 3-4 weeks.

[the Euc. gunnii outside have died, period. It grew about 2 m in one summer season, but this winter was to cruel for it. RIP]
Rob

Posted : 01/05/2011 2:39 pm

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Rob, that's fantastic news!! It's great that the E. p. debeuzevillei is the first one to germinate, because out of all of the eucs, that is the type which stands the best chance of surviving in your area! Everyone is looking forward to seeing how they progress.

Posted : 01/05/2011 9:08 pm

zomble

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What a lot of seedlings,

What a lot of work but well done!!!

🙂

Posted : 16/05/2011 4:47 am

zomble

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I read a few more pages (4), more later when time allows.

Wow, Cameron those Images are a real help to me too. Especially for the Butia recently ordered...I got the sandpaper ready for when they get here lol

My problem is keeping a grip on seed when I am chitting any.

I love the Araucaria araucana which really look like mini trees, very nice. Are they the Monkey Tree?

Thanks!!

Posted : 17/05/2011 4:35 am

canadianplant

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For holding the seed...

SOme people use a vice, some use pliers, some use forecepts ( the pliar/scissor things drs use). I just use my fingers myself. Even with canna seeds ( very smooth and slick), i had no problems myslef....

"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 : 17/05/2011 8:22 am

lucky1

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Needlenose pliers work great on smaller seeds.

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

Posted : 17/05/2011 1:31 pm