Congratulations 8)
These are fun to grow! One thing I've found with them is to use at least a 6" deep container right from the start. ( those 20 ounce Styrofoam cups work good ) To me, it seems the deeper the roots grow initially results in longer strap leafs and overall faster growth.

Just my opinion, individual results may vary 😆

Here's one that germinated this Summer,

Here it is today, ( in a 1 gallon container under the leaves)

Steve

CVongratulations Barb. Its a christmas miracle for you. I once had 3 miracles close to christmas, but 2 of them were card tricks.

Hey Steve - that plant on the right hand side of your picture, is that the one I gave to you? It sure looks like mine.

Hi Kent, That's it! the other one has a window seat. Not exactly sure what they are yet, but they are both growing well. ( nothing really seems to bother them either )

Steve

Medjool Dates will feather rather quickly. I'll post some pics of my three year old plants tomorrow when it gets light out. They are in the ground & about 4 1/2 foot tall.

GREAT JOB!!!
I would have to say that for me too, the Medjool Dates were the funnest.
My personal findings with these are this...
Very fast to germinate and put up a first leaf, however after that first leaf grows up, they are very slow to get going after that. Of my 18 I popped, about 15 of them put out the first split leaf on it's 4th or 5th leaf. The rest have not yet started to split.
Put them in a deep pot to start out with. I also found that I couldn't water them too much as seedlings. I might add that after they get about two strap leaves, I repotted them and GENTLY cut off the seed from the stalk. I lost one tree from the water setting in the "pocket" made by the seed attachment to the stalk. This might make more sense to you later 😀

Thanks for the valuable tips, folks.
Appreciate it very much.
It'll be cool to have palms that I started...

Still looking for 20 oz styro cups...
think I'll have to go to Starbucks 😐

Barb

Nice work Barb! 🙂 Everyone's right about deep pots since Phoenix species have deep reaching roots, even as small seedlings. I can't seem to winter one here with our high winter humidity. Even a rain canopy won't work as most winter days are at least 90% relative humidity so the growth spear rots out. Phoenix canariensis are much better adapted to humidity and seem fine here.
Good luck with your new seedlings and keep us posted! Seasonal cheers, Barrie.

Barb these are my store bought Medjool dates. They are about three years old from seed.

BTW thanks to everyone for NOT saying that these are the easiest in the world to pop 😉

Those are 3 years old? 😯
Gorgeous!!!
They obviously like acidic soil, judging by the oak leaves at their base.

I've wandered around the house looking for ANYTHING that could be used as a deep pot.
12 of 'em.
Gave up when I found myself looking in a sock drawer 😆
Might have to look at large diameter PVC pipe leftovers in the shop...or maybe cut up an old downspout.

In the meantime, I've put them into a casserole dish of misted perlite.
Just hope my husband doesn't get hungry when I'm out!

How long should the radicle be for planting?

Barb

Use 2 liter soda bottles, just cut the top off & make some drainage holes in the bottom...

I usually wait until the radicle is at least 2cm before potting up.

The soda bottles are a great idea 😀

Laaz, what a super idea! Thanks.
Will stock up on pop just so I can have a dozen! (*burp*)

Steve, you'll laugh at this.
You're so thoughtful to give me the centimetre measurement.
But I'm an old fart still not used to our system.
Had to Google 2 cm = ? inch 😆 😆 😆

Barb

Congrats Barb!

BTW thanks to everyone for NOT saying that these are the easiest in the world to pop

No problem Barb.............. 😆