Nice work Barb 😀 There's likely to be more germinating in the coming weeks. That's one palm I've always admired but never started. I did about 50 King palms (Archontophoenix alexandrae) in March '08 and about 85% inexplicably aborted shortly afterward. I have three survivors. Keep us posted on their progress.

Cheers, Barrie.

Barb, That's nice to see 8)

Let us know how that LED grow light works out.

Steve

Thanks guys.

7 have popped as of this morning.
Some that were nearest the wood stove may have been cooked.

One row of the LED lights has failed for no apparent reason. 😕
12 hours under the LEDs hopefully is enough.
There's a bit of green showing on a few.

Barb

12 have popped at 7 weeks.

😀
Barb

Isn't it nice to work with fresh seed? 8)
Look forward to seeing their progress!

Steve

It sure is, Steve.

Because I don't have a GH, if seeds took 5 or 6 months, I'm sure I'd forget where I put them. 😆
Barb

16 up of 50 in ~8 weeks.

Since I've never before germinated a palm seed (and heaven knows I've tried), this so interesting.

Didn't see a "button" (probably the soil hid it).
What I thought was the first leaf has abruptly stopped, and a leaf seems to be growing out of that...a sheath, I guess.

And little dots on it. Hopefully that's not fungus gnat poop.

Strange that the community pots on a heat mat are popping at about the same rate as those without bottom heat.
Thank you, nearby wood stove!

Barb

30 of 50 have popped in 11 weeks.

The earliest seem to be moving along nicely.
Some are under the red and blue LED light box, others are beneath a 4-foot fluorescent 32 w.
Can't see any difference in growth between the LED and fluorescent.
However, I've recently heard that red light is better for plant growth...will check further.

Oops, even cut their heads off in the pic!

The CFPACS currently offers seeds from Puerto Rico...quite a variety.

Barb

Looking good Barb 8)
Your woodstove method is showing good results!

I'm still looking over the newest seed list, it's quite tempting 😆

Steve

Looking good Barb
Didn't know you could raise seedlings in a discotheque 😯

I hope you will wait a while to plant those outside 😉
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Steve and Jim,

Thanks guys! The woodstove is the prime factor in germination success, as my heat mat is puny and doesn't hold many pots.
I "Google Imaged" each name on that seed list, and then reminded myself to save seed-starting for a Fall/Winter activity to dispel boredom.

Disco! I'm short the mirrored ball and loud music 😆
The basement emits an eerie glow at night.

I promise...the seedling Foxtails won't go outdoors until June (how's that?!?!)

See what you think of this: red mulch! In a catalogue, tomato plants were pictured with a red plastic over the soil. The article said: "From time to time research comes up with some astounding results. This is one of them. When this red plastic mulch is put on the soil under tomatoes, it will increase yields by up to 20% over black mulch, and makes the fruit set earlier. It works by reflecting a certain spectrum of light back to the plants, which in turn triggers photosynthesis to stimulate rapid growth and development. The research was done by a number of universities and our own tests proved it accurate. Also works with strawberries."

Always wondered why LED boards included red and blue lights, versus white lights. Hope they're as good for juvenile palms as for vegetables!

Barb

I promise...the seedling Foxtails won't go outdoors until June (how's that?!?!)

Might be the coldest time of the year there!

Might be the coldest time of the year there!

You might be right!

This picture hit the local paper two years ago April 23, 2008. In case it's not obvious, he's sitting on his diving board...

😆 8) 😆

My place a few days before that:

There's more:

Enough, right?
Barb

That's crazy about the snow that late!

I have heard about the red film doing wonders for tomato's. You just gave me an idea, I'm going to staple some red film over my washy hut! 😀 😀 😀

Thanks Barb