Lodoicea maldivica

[Z4Devil]

Dear all,

following one of the latest headlines of the specialized press, in Berlin the have made it to germinate one giant seed of this rare palm.

And ... I could have an option to buy one nut.

Any recommendations and / or experiences with this seed / palm outside of it´s natural environment? What is necessary to make a germination succesfull? Okay, a giant pot would be the first ( ), but what else? Any special requirements? As just 1 seed costs 300.00 € I would like to avoid any mistakes.

Thanks in advance and best regards,

Verena

[Cindy Adair]

That price seems inexpensive for a viable seed. Any more available?

[Kostas]

You want to first make sure the offered nut is a viable seed and not an empty or very old seed. 300Euro sound too little for a viable nut,thats the usual going price for non viable ones...

The pot needs to be along the lines of 1m deep and the first leaf will be about 2meters tall if i am not mistaken,something which will make keeping it in your house almost impossible. It also needs a fair amount of light to grow at any acceptable speed as its very very slow. So i think your main concern would be its size rather than its cultural requirements as they are easier to provide than the size of pot and space it needs. A very good draining soil,warmth and good lighting are its other requirements for a chance to grow indoors.

[Olga]

Hello Verena,

Look, you can find some information in German on this page

http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/0,1518,810125,00.html

and there are more seeds available

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/de/LodMal.shtml

regards

Olga

[Z4Devil]

Hello, Olga -

good to see you again and here.

And yes, exactly RPS is my source for buying this giant nut.

Will check the requirements for a phytosanitary certificate and the shipping price ... an then: we will see.

[waykoolplantz]

if a viable seed...about a third of going price

[Z4Devil]

To answer numerous requests via pm: I am sure the most of you will know RPS. I will contact Tobias on Monday to discuss shipping and handling. I am not quite sure if he ships the seeds himself - I cannot imagine.

As far as I understood him, the orders will directed to a local seller at the Seychelles, the mentioned price is for the seed only. Additional costs for certificate and shipping you have to add. The weight of such a nut is of 11 kg up to 20 kg, that means for international shipping: expensive.

The rebate Tobias offers is great.

As soon I have more information I wll keep you updated, promised.

Best regards, Verena

[PalmatierMeg]

Interesting. I was under the impression that export/distribution of these (viable)seeds from habitat has been illegal for years. What has changed about this?

[Z4Devil]

Dear Meg,

I have no idea. But RPS is above suspicion. I will have a call with the owner of RPS (Tobias, whom I know quite well) and check my and your questions. Results will be posted here first.

[Gileno Machado]

Wish I was in Berlin now...

Ich bin ein Berliner

[Z4Devil]

Giiileeeenoooo - you here? GREAT

Yes, to speak with JFK: " Ich bin ein Berliner!"

Just an assumption: what if we have ... let us say .. 10 serious interested persons ... I guess I will talk with Tobias about a discount if possible.

[Gileno Machado]

[Z4Devil]

I know that Tobias price is more than good. But I will try it, Gileno.

First of all I have to clarify all the questions around shipping etc.

Verena

[Jeff in St Pete]

Verena, on the RPS website it says "Viable Lodoicea seeds are temporarily unavailable due to an export ban from the Seychelles government. Until this ban is lifted we can only supply empty nuts, polished or natural."

Here's the link Lodoicea seeds from RPS

[peachy]

Verena you can buy me for 300 euros, I am bigger nut than any of them.

Peachy

[Kim]

Verena you can buy me for 300 euros, I am bigger nut than any of them.

Peachy

...and probably higher maintenance, too! Lodoicea maldivica don't wear shoes!

Just thought I'd mention -- these Prada shoes pictured are about the same price as the Lodoicea maldivica seeds, IF you include the cost of shipping the seeds -- and the shoes are on sale. Seriously!

[Z4Devil]

@ Jeff: thank you very much for the information. Well, this is really very strange because in the German part of the website (and this is this what I read) nothing about a ban or nonavailability is mentioned. They offer both version: the viable nut and that for decorations. Hmmmmm ...

Well, a couple of minutes ago, I have read a very interesting pm of a much appriciated user of Palmtalk. I guess we will get more informations very soon. Maybe Toby (owner of RPS) will clarify the situation by himself.

I keep at this nut, believe me.

@ Peachy & Kim: :D 300.00 €? I think this does not work. In my opinion you are priceless.

[waykoolplantz]

Kim...you gonna wear those fur topped boots while working in the garden ? Warm & stylish too !

[Jeff Searle]

Kim...you gonna wear those fur topped boots while working in the garden ? Warm & stylish too !

Maybe a grand entrance on the first night of the 2012 Thailand Biennial would be more in line for attention and a good way to kick off the Biennial.

Pleeeze.....

[Kim]

Kim...you gonna wear those fur topped boots while working in the garden ? Warm & stylish too !

Maybe a grand entrance on the first night of the 2012 Thailand Biennial would be more in line for attention and a good way to kick off the Biennial.

Pleeeze.....

:lol: You guys are tooooo funny! The only way to know what will be on my feet at the biennial in Thailand is to BE THERE! I'm hoping there will be lots and lots of people from PalmTalk. I'm sure we could fill up an entire bus, maybe two.

[bgl]

While I was away this past week I received an email from Toby - here's the relevant part of it:

Sorry for the delay, had a small computer problem (logic board fried).

Unfortunately that Lodoicea page somehow popped back up from years ago,

but is not current anymore. This explains the current situation:

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/LodMal.shtml

(In other words - Lodoicea seeds are unfortunately NOT available).