Anybody tried to germinate Jubaea chilensis (blue form)?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:34 am

Have ordered some and waiting for seeds to arrive.

There seems to be a toss-up in germination hints.

Some people report cracking the outer shell with one very hard rap is the only way.
And some report good results by NOT cracking the outer shell.

Ordered only a small packet ($50 bucks

), so don't want to waste any with too much experimenting.

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:54 am

oooo nice find barb

I can only go by what ive read, but I would assume that you go about it the same way as the "regular" form. I would also assume that delidding would be done in the same spot.

I do know Jubea can take a few years to sprout, so dont loose faith in these guys. Personally I would look up germination info on the regular Jubea. I also have only heard of the "blue" jubea a month or so ago, when i seen it available on RPS. I couldnt find too much info on it myself.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:13 am

Oops, those two options I quoted were for the regular -- not blue -- form, sorry Jesse.

Jubea can take a few years to sprout

Sheesh...that long?
I'll probably forget what they are in a few years, and serve them with other nuts in a dish on the coffee table!

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:22 pm

Maybe PM cameron. Did he not germinate some? Check his epic germination thread?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:57 pm

Will do Jesse.

That thread is longer than the Iliad.
Some very good work is recorded there.

Barb

CTPalm · Post by **CTPalm** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:24 pm

Barb I got some from Cameron last year. I cracked open five and nicked them, they started to grow in the water then the embryos fell out. So i put my other 5 in a covered container with perlite and soil but still they haven't sprouted yet. I even set it on top of cable box since I had 100% luck sprouting Foxtail palms that way! Anyway they all arrived the same time and My foxtails are over a foot tall and my Jubeas haven't sprouted yet. Good luck! I'm sure Cameron will have good advice! Paul

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:43 pm

Oh yes, Paul, now I remember.

I cracked open five and nicked them, they started to grow in the water then the embryos fell out.

Strange...how big was the "nick"?
usually only a tiny hole is needed so water can penetrate and start the process.

Great that your foxtails are doing so well.
Probably time for some photos, huh?

I've PMd Cameron....HALLLLOOOOOOO?
Earth calling Cameron, come in please

He's probably shopping...

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:07 pm

Maybe the cable box is too hot? Jubea prefer "cool' climates do they not? Too much heat can inhibit germination maybe?

Jubaea · Post by **Jubaea** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:50 pm

I have been collecting and growing Jubaea seeds for the past 4 years. The first year I gave up on them as they took so long and planted other plants in their pots. I then had the Jubaea germinate and had fun untangling their roots. I have done better planting them in the ground an forgetting about them. Digging them up in my clay soil can be difficult and many don't make the trasplanting. Sometimes the end up in weird places and germinate. I usually collect seeds in the Fall when they mature and see the first ones sprouting leaves the following summer but some take even longer and won't come up untill the second Spring or Summer.

I have tried removing the outer shell but end up breaking the embryo on accident, so I end up eating those. They do taste just like miniture coconuts.

Here is a picture of one I dug up this past weekend and another of inground planting. My shoe size is 12 for size comparison. I planted all the ones in this area at the same time and they were given the same treatment but some gerimated over a year after the first ones.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32696326@N07/6552611587/" title="Jubaeainpot by hellos1011, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6552 ... 9a3522.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Jubaeainpot"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32696326@N07/6552612165/" title="JubaeaRoots by hellos1011, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6552 ... 418b9a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="JubaeaRoots"></a>

Jubaea · Post by **Jubaea** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:51 pm

Godfryd · Post by **Godfryd** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:49 pm

wow, looks fantastic in the ground!

Stevea07 · Post by **Stevea07** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:33 pm

Barb, I use slightly moistened fine grade vermiculite at 78-88F. Germination rate is usually 90% by 6 months. I lost all the seeds that I cracked open to hasten germination, so I do not recommend this method. As a side note the seeds taste just like coconuts!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:15 pm

Great advice from you folks, thank you!

Since I'm not planting these seeds out (it is Canada, after all, LOL) should I soak them for a few days first?

That's one heck of a taproot beside size 12 shoe

Those gorgeous strap leaves look so beautiful growing...oooooh, what a picture!

Actually the seedling leaves look very similar to those of my Chamaerops humilis.

I appreciate the warning to not crack the shell open.
A palm this beautiful needs patience...lots of it obviously.

Thanks everybody!
By the way, Cameron's AWOL for a few days

Barb

Jubaea · Post by **Jubaea** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:52 pm

I think you can probabbly soak the seeds, maybe for a day? I have never done that before as my seeds are very fresh.

I broke part of the tap root on the one little palm that I dug. It probably went down another 15-30cm. I ended up cutting some of the root off to fit it in the pot. All of those seedlings in ground have been dug up. I will try to post a picture of them in my shadehouse when I get a chance.

Stevea07 · Post by **Stevea07** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:46 am

Yes Barb, it's best to give them a 2-3 day soaking in tepid water, in case they have dried out some while in storage. I do not use fungicide on the seeds but make sure they free of pulp and hand or air dry them before dropping them ino the vermiculite.

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:16 am

I dont know why I didnt post these... but heres the RPS comments..

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/JubBlu.shtml
http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/JubChi.shtml

It seems 25-30C is the average temp used. I looked quick, and didnt see anyone mention any times before a month.... Patience young padawan

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:29 am

soak the seeds

in tepid water

Good; as I usually do that for all palm and cycad seeds, removing all traces of fruit pulp.
And Jubaea, you're fortunate to be able to go out and collect fresh seeds!

I might also gently rub the hard outer coat with very fine sandpaper, just to help moisture soften the shell.
(Can't leave well enough alone, can I?)

Jesse, thanks. I always check the RPS germination comments first thing, generally quite a range of advice.
...oh, and for calling me young

Now if only the seeds would arrive in the mail...

The first test of patience!

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:33 am

I know!!!! Im waiting for a batch of bamboo seeds to come in! They were ordered on the 1st, and " will be delivered dec 23rd".. today is the last day before I start making voodoo dolls