OH MY GOD THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

Ya, there's nothing like a B.nobilis to race my heart!

Steve, the Bizzie seed you cut in half and you said it wasn't viable...where the radicle should come out.
I don't know what they're supposed to look like, but here's mine cut open after 4+ months next to the wood stove.

http://www.palmsnorth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1631

Besides yours being a much better picture, I think the inside of your seed looks so firm and healthy, whereas mine
looks mostly pulpy and only fleshy in some parts. So what is it about yours that tells you it's not viable?

I'm not in the habit of cutting seeds open so this is a tad confusing.
Thanks.
Barb

Barb,
The Cotyledonary petiole would emerge from the bottom of the seed where the wall is thinnest, ( referring to the photos I posted), an embryo would also be located in this position. The majority of the seed is stored food, which is generally sufficient to the first leaf stage.

One test that can determine if a seed is viable or not, is to cut it in half and soak it in a solution of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. A viable embryo will take on a red stain.

Some more info on this procedure: http://www.frsa.org/SAfacts/SAFTZ.html

I've never had occasion to use this procedure myself. With the one I cut open, it ended up being the only one out of the lot that never germinated, and was constantly growing mold no matter how well cleaned. ( that generally is a good indication things are not well 😀

Steve

Steve
thanks for the interesting info.
So (again looking at my seed cut open on the recently posted link), do you think its interior shape indicates viability?
I don't have any TTC.
Barb

Barb,
I don't see anything in yours that would suggest a problem, ( the endosperm seems to be filling the cavity, no discoloration present, etc)

Your seeds should have a good chance of germinating still, if you can get them somewhere with around a 90* - 100*F temp it will speed up the process. Have you thought about picking up a heat mat with a thermostatic control ? It would be of help with the Cycad seeds you are expecting.

Farmtek carries the mats and thermostats, ( lots of other places do too)

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10052&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=FarmTek&productId=39510

Steve

That's encouraging, Steve.
Thanks for taking a look.

Yes you're right...I've got to pick up a heat mat, especially now that it's warming up
and the woodstove will soon be off for good.

Thanks for the link.
Barb

Barb,
Here is one that is almost spent, you can see how the endosperm depletes, and where the cotylendon emerges.
( one of my cats chewed this one off a while ago, but the Palm is fine 😀

Steve

Steve great work on those bismarkias. Your right they need bottom heat for germination. I put them on a heat mat, used perlite in a tupperware container with a timer 16 hrs on 8 off. The two batches of seeds four months apart both germinated with 2 weeks 90%. It took 2 months for the first sprout. Maybe the soil needed to be warmer for it to sprout faster. I think the next time I`ll use longer pots like you did.

John

Thanks Steve,
Took a while, but I understand it now.
Barb

John, Thanks! The taped together PVC pipe works out great when it is time to pot up, I didn't lose any out of this batch, but most did sulk for about a month ( I should have waited for warmer weather)

Barb, Had no idea what was going on inside the seed until I cut open a couple to take a look myself 😀

Steve