Basic question about seeds in the mail

patrick620 · Post by **patrick620** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:52 pm

Do freezing temps affect seeds that might be mailed this time of year? Does it vary by species?

Thank you

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:10 am

Good question, I usually place my orders while the min. temps are still above freezing.

The smaller tropical seeds would probably not survive, while some of the larger ones, (Bismarckia,etc),could probably take a degree of cold. Don't think it would bother Trachycarpus & Sabals too much.

Once a package is in the mail stream it should have a good chance of staying warm, when it is out for delivery is when problems can occur. (unheated spaces, being left in the mailbox for hours before being brought in,etc)

We have a P.O box, so I don't have to worry about packages sitting outside after being delivered.
(No local mail delivery here, so everyone gets a free P.O box

Steve

patrick620 · Post by **patrick620** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:47 pm

Thank you for your reply, Steve

willy1der · Post by **willy1der** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:48 pm

I live in in london,ontario and had T.fortunei seeds sent to me from the midwest U.S at the end of december and didnt receive them a week into january.I was a bit worried when these seeds arrived as they were in my mailbox all day and the temp was 10f.I soaked for a few days and potted up the seeds on the 15th.It took 9 days for the first to sprout and about 5 a day since then so I have a heck of alot of seedlings and alot to go(aroung 150).So my opinion is the temp does not affect the seeds windmill palm.These seeds were fresh two weeks so I dont know if that mattered at all.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 5:06 pm

In addition to the above, I was told that x-ray'd packages would not adversely affect seed viability.

Trachy seeds--like the palm itself--can handle sitting in a cold roadside mailbox for a day or so.
But seeds of tropicals, i.e. foxtail, bottle, triangle, licuala palms etc. would be severely affected.
The countries where they grow and set seed NEVER (generally) see cold weather.

willy1der, would love to see pics of your germinating Trachies.
Nine days is amazing!

Barb

willy1der · Post by **willy1der** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:13 pm

All seeds that sprouted were in perlite but in cups now with soil and they havent broke soil yet but I will post a pic of them all. 25 and counting!!!!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:25 pm

Look forward to seeing that pic!

My foxtail seeds: 13 of 50 have germinated after 8 weeks.
I'm like a new Mom, checking in on the babies frequently through the day

Barb

willy1der · Post by **willy1der** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:34 am

I know what you mean,lol.Its getting me through the winter thou!!!!!