Thanks for that picture. I will start to use that method.

Checked them again today, three more have germinated.
That makes for 5 out of 7 so far 8)

And a couple just breaking the surface,

I like the color on this one 8)

Just posting to show the growth rate. These are all starting on their second leaf.

A nice thing about using the PVC pipe and lots of Perlite, when it is time to pot up, just separate both halves and the soil falls away. Ready to pot up with little root disturbance 8)

Deep roots, these always seem healthier and faster growing when given space.

Steve
How the 👿 did I miss this entire posting?

Wonderful to see Bismarckia through the critical early stages.
Thanks for catching the entire process.
Nice pics of what must be--for a lot of people--their favorite palm.

The growth rate at Dec31 was amazing!
Did you use a band saw to cut that PVC pipe?
(Can't imagine doing it with a hand saw -- ouch)

Nice to see the root development.
The books all say that the deeper the soil, the better the palm will grow after transplanting.
I've seen lifting recommended, some even lift 6 or more inches, and prop it up so it doesn't fall over!

Steve your photo illustrations are always superb, and this is your BEST!
I'm off to the basement to kick my seeds against the wall...maybe that'll crack 'em 😆
Barb

Thanks Barb!
Used a jig saw with a wood blade for the PVC. It does cut pretty easily, then just tape or tie the halves together. The holes drilled along the sides seemed to help too ( Last year I used solid pieces and the mix always stayed a bit damp )

I usually lift mine about 4" - 6" If nothing else, just to get them to fit into a 5 gallon container 😀

Good Luck with your seeds! If they were in storage for a while it might take up to 6 months, so don't give up on them!

Steve

Steve, I MIGHT be able to ummmm, have a piece of split pipe fall off my trunk the next time I go to Salina if you want some. That way you don't have to cut it, thats how it comes, then you just snap it together and keep it closed with tie wraps.
Just let me know.

Steve,
Wonder how long it takes for the seed to fall off, or do you cut it off in a few months?
Heavy for a little frond to hold up 🙁

Wes,
I have never seen only ONE pipe fall off a truck...
generally 8 to 10 seem to go at once...Strange 😀
Barb

Where did you get your seed from?

The seeds are just about spent at this point, They get lighter as they are depleted. ( I usually find something to prop them up with )

These were from the CFPACS Seed Bank : http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/default.asp

Steve

This one is cut open to show the internal seed structure, ( this one proved itself to be non viable )

A little closer view, a viable embryo would be located in the bottom center, that is also the point the radicle would emerge.

Great pics and info.
It went into a 5 GALLON pot?

This long root structure, is it a true tap root, like say, an oak tree?

Super to see the inside of that seed.
Barb

Barb, Not a tap root as with a Dicot, technically, I believe that would the first Adventitious root with lateral branching 😀

At this stage of development, if that root is damaged, it can be fatal to the palm.

Steve

This is one going on it's third season from seed........

Just noticed the start of palmate leaves 8)

Steve