How I treat the germinated seed (in this case a Butia seed).

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General method.

This method now refers to sphagnum moss, but works reasonably well with peat based compost. If in doubt as to what might work best, try splitting up your seeds into different media. Here I have used moss, peat based compost, and a mix of perlite and vermiculite

Germinating the seed

THIS  METHOD DOES NOT WORK WITH TRACHYCARPUS SPECIES

- Click here for Trachycarpus species -

Soak the seeds in warm water for one or two days. Use moist sphagnum moss, (squeeze out excess water - grab a fistful, squeeze until just one drop comes out ), wrap the seeds in the moss, put into a sealed poly bag ( I use the zip seal type bags,  Keep at  temperatures as high as possible with a propagator or domestic hot water tank. You will have to judge how near they go to the heat source  — mid 30C is good. Keep the moss moist but not wet.   I check my seeds regularly,  at least about once every three or four days to stop drying out. Regular inspection allows for transfer of seeds  immediately on germination.

 Now be prepared for a long wait for some seeds., but it does depend on freshness. Brahea armata can take over a year, as can Butia capitata, but happily some Washingtonias can germinate in a few days!  See details in ‘germination media’.Soon you might see the root of the germinating seeds, through the side of the bag, as shown to the right.

Seeing the shiny white root emerging through the seed coat is quite an exciting sight, especially if its one you have not germinated before, or have been waiting for ages!   Be careful not to break the emerging root from the seed at this stage.They can be very brittle. Its something I’ve done too many times. Once broken off, the seedling will not recover.

Potting up the germinated seed

I use peat based compost for potting on, make sure it's damp, but not wet, and warm as the seed goes in.  I use the kitchen microwave to warm up compost.  I haven’t yet found a better way of warming it up from cold in the winter.  But do check it, and let stand for a few seconds to cool if needed. 10 seconds in my microwave heats the mix to a very high temperature.

I now use clean plastic drinking cups for the germinated seed to develop in. These can be obtained for about 1 penny each in bulk in discount stores, and are sterile. I pierce the bottom with holes for drainage which is important later.  These are better than plant pots not only because they are less bulky, but because they seem to suit palm root development better. They are deep compared with their width, and these proportions seem to be what is required.

Put the germinated seed into the peat at a depth equal to their size. Once the seed is in the peat, cover with a disc of plastic to stop the compost drying out, but not airtight. I use plastic from any source, used butter tubs, coleslaw tubs, milk containers, ice cream containers, anything. Then, to reduce drying out even further, put the pot into another container, such as an ice cream container, or butter tub. Then into an airing cupboard at about 22 - 28 C.  Keep an eye on them. Check the compost doesn’t dry out, and also try not to over-water. They should emerge after about a month, although it can vary considerably. Small seeds like Washingtonias can emerge in a week or so, others can take two months. Keep the seedlings  warm for the first few weeks; 22C at least.