Manicaria saccifera ... Any tips?

[Juan-Carlos]

Hey everyone from Sunny Miami Florida!

I need Germination Tips!!! So Saturday afternoon I found a Manicaria saccifera seed the drifted to one of our many beaches. I am looking forward to growing this species - But can not find any information on germination methods.

I have only one seed so you can see why I want to do things right!

If you know anything about germinating this species please post!!

Furthermore, is this a rare species? I found a couple sites saying that it is rare, but in reality many common plants are sometimes labeled as rare - do I have a gem here or just another weed? LOL!!

Kindest Regards,

-Jc

Miami, Florida

[cfkingfish]

You had a seed wash up on a beach in Miami?

If you have just one seed, place it in a rather heavy mix and keep it wet. Good seeds float, which is not the norm for many palm species. The one in the conservatory at Fairchild has been okay and unprotected for a few years so far.

Where in Miami are you?

[Juan-Carlos]

Hey!

Yeah I found the Manicaria saccifera and a mucuna seed (cool vine) on a 3 hour walk of the shore! I really had no clue what species it was when I picked it up, but from what I have seen online it is identicle to the Manicaria saccifera seed pictures (which are known to drift in the sea and end up on beaches).

The seed floats, I have it floating in freshwater - Should I keep the seed in full sun, under grow lights? Any idea if I should try to chip the seed coat to allow the water to penetrate the seed? Or should I just let it be and wait it out?

I am in the kendall area, around 137th ave and Coral way.

I'd be so happy if this baby does germinate, it seems like a very neat palm!!

Thanks Christian!

-Jc

Edited September 4, 2008 by Juan-Carlos

[bgl]

Juan Carlos,

You can definitely call this an unusual palm in cultivation. It is unfortunately also a very slow palm. Here's a photo of our largest one...not very impressive!

Bo-Göran

[gcyao]

Hey everyone from Sunny Miami Florida!

I need Germination Tips!!! So Saturday afternoon I found a Manicaria saccifera seed the drifted to one of our many beaches.

...

Furthermore, is this a rare species? I found a couple sites saying that it is rare, but in reality many common plants are sometimes labeled as rare - do I have a gem here or just another weed? LOL!!

Kindest Regards,

-Jc

Miami, Florida

Jc,

What is that saying, someone's gem is another man's weed?

On our Amazon trip in 2006, we were brought to a place near Novo Aerao in Brazil to see Manicaria saccifera, among others. We saw a lot alright, but many of them were burnt and blackened. They were considered weeds to be cleared away for planting sugarcane! :angry:

But on a happy note, many that were burnt were growing new leaves. We couldn't help but admire the toughness of the survivors. :)

[Vasin T.]

I've no idea how to germinate it, but you should well prepare for its long root.

This picture taken when I bought bare-root from Jeff Marcus early this year.

Vasin T.

[AndyinAntigua]

These float up on Caribbean beaches too, although I've never tried to hatch one.

There is a "guide to sea beans" on seabean.com where they are called golf balls or sea coconuts. If I remember rightly, they suggest that you remove the rough husk rarely present) and then carefully drill a small hole in the smooth shell, without damaging the interior, as the seed will only germinate when in contact with a fresh water source. Good luck.

[Tim McKernan]

I have to pay better attention when I'm at the beach. Any chance to see a picture of the your new treasure?

[Juan-Carlos]

Thanks for the tips guys! Those really are some nice long roots!! I'll see if I can get a picture of it Tim.

Kindest Regards and Happy Growing,

-Jc

Miami, Florida

[Juan-Carlos]

Hey Guys!

No action yet on the seed, however I did find another one So now I have two to mess with... I'm crossing them fingers!

Warmest Regards,

-Jc

Miami, Florida

PS. I got one of the seeds and made a small hole in it to allow contact with water. I used a dremle with a round diamond disk and made to lines 1/8th of an inch apart and barely 1/16ht of an inch deep. Then with the tip of a pair of tweezers popped out the tiny section between the two dremel lines, I can see white and I don't think I damage the seed so we'll see if that helps

Edited October 30, 2008 by Juan-Carlos