Phoenix dactylifera
Palm trees are plants that, although it may seem impossible to believe, are herbs, or to be more exact: megaforbias. This word means ‘giant grass’, and it is so. These beauties have nothing in common with trees, so their methods of reproduction are somewhat different.
The one that is used the most – often because it is the only one that can be used – is through the sowing your seeds. But being almost the only one does not mean that it is simple. In some special cases we will see that they germinate quickly; although that will not always be what happens.
Are palm trees monoecious or dioecious?
Phoenix dactylifera
Palm trees are generally monoecious plantsthat is, they have female and male individuals. Generally, the male ones are the ones that produce the pollen, which once transported by the wind, by insects, or by other pollinating agents, reach the female palm, which produce the seeds and are pollinated.
There are some that are dioecious, that is, there are male and female flowers in the same specimen. For example, well-known species such as phoenix canariensis (Canarian palm tree) and the Phoenix dactylifera (date) fall within this group. In these cases, it is not necessary that you have more than one specimen to get seeds, because with just one you will get enough for several to germinate.
How to germinate palm tree seeds?
Image – Flickr / Jason Thien // Double germinated seed of Ptychosperma macarthuri
The best you can do to perform this method, is to sow the seeds of each of the palm trees a little after they have been collectedIn this way, they will be much cooler. If you cannot get them that way, or if you want to plant exotic species and you have to ask for them from a supplier, it is important that before placing the order you inform yourself well about whether that person is trustworthy or not, seeking opinions from potential buyers; In addition, it is also highly recommended to see if you have indicated that they are fresh (that is, if you have just collected them) or not.
The sooner they are collected and sown, the sooner they will germinate.
It is basic, but it is important to remember.
At first, seeds can remain fresh and viable for 1 to 6 monthsDepending on the species, some can last longer, and others less.
Things you are going to need
To make the sowing task easier and more comfortable, it is advisable to prepare everything that is going to be needed before proceeding:
- Small glass or container
- Seedbed: it can be a bag with hermetic closure, a flowerpot, tray, milk or yogurt containers …
- Substrate: advisable to use universal substrate (on sale here) mixed with 20-30% perlite
- Heat source and thermometer
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Step by step
Image – Wikimedia / Aparajita Datta // Jenkinsian Livistone
First – Check its feasibility
What you must do to multiply your palm trees using the seeds is, place the seeds in a container with waterIn this way you will know which ones are viable and which ones are not (those that float you can discard those that are not viable, those that sink are the ones you will use in this process).
Second – Prepare the seedbed
Now that you know which ones will most likely germinate and which ones will not, it’s time to prepare the seedbed. For it, if you are going to use pots or containers, wash them before with water and a little dishwasherThen remove all the foam and, if it does not have any holes in its base, make one or two small ones with a knife or scissors. If you are going to plant them in bags, don’t poke any holes.
Then fill it with substrate and water.
Third – Sowing
The next step is sowing the seeds in the seedbed. It is very important that they remain a little buriedsince otherwise it may be difficult for them to germinate. But be careful, you have to avoid having them too hidden: if they are about 0,5cm high, as long as one centimeter is buried, it will be enough.
To prevent infections, it is worth sprinkling copper or sulfur on top. In this way, the seeds will be protected from fungi.
Fourth – Place the seedbed near a heat source
Most palm trees They need a temperature of about 20 to 25ºC to be able to germinate. There are some that do it with 15-20ºC, but they are not the best known (for example, the Juania australis It is a kind of mountain that is harmed by very high temperatures).
For this reason, sowing takes place in spring and even in summersince this is how the seedbed is placed outside, in semi-shade, and you do not have to do anything other than keep the substrate moist.
However, collectors prefer to use very special germinators. I myself know one who uses a reptile incubator, and it suits him well. Every seed you put in there germinates. They have a somewhat high price, but if you see that you are going to get a taste of planting palm trees, it is still worth getting one.
Fifth – Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged
It is one of the most complicated things. Whether you use an electric germinator, incubator or if you put the seedbed outside and let the sun stimulate the germination of the seeds, you must be controlling the humidity of the earth since the normal thing is that it runs out of it in a short time.
So, every day take a look at it, and if you see that it is drying, water.
Sixth – Plant in individual pots
When they start to germinate, as soon as their roots have reached a length of about 2-3 cm (it can even be done earlier) it is time to plant the seedlings in individual pots. These pots are recommended to be taller than they are wide, as this way they will be able to develop better and more easily.
However, if they are Chamaedorea or Dypsis for example, will grow without problems in pots that are about as tall as they are wide.
Image – Flickr / Jason Thien // areca triandra
How long do palm seeds take to germinate?
It depends a lot on when they were harvested and the growing conditions. But I will tell you that if they have been collected from the palm tree as soon as it has finished maturing and if it was sown immediately, it will germinate in a few days, maximum two weeks. Otherwise, it will take one to three months.
Have a good seeding 🙂.
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