Growing Chamaerops from seed

[Neil C]

I'm growing a few Chamaerops from seed and was just after some advice from anyone who has done the same. I know I'm in for the long haul but was wondering if anyone has found any methods to be faster than others? I have a few questions and would be very grateful if anyone could answer these.

1. Chamaerops seem to send down deep roots early on but I've also seen seedlings growing at a wholesale nursery that were in quite shallow pots. Do shallow pots promote lots of leaf growth while a deep pot promotes roots growth?

2. What age should I start to fertilze? I believe most palm seedlings should be fed when they have two or three leaves but is this still true with this slow growing palm?

3. What should Chamerops look like after 1,2,3,4, and 5 years? At what age can you start to see the what leaf form the adult plant will have?

4. Should they sit in full sun from day one or do they need some shade in the early months/years?

Sorry for all the questions and if anyone has anything further to add I would be most interested to hear of other growers observations on this versatile and variable palm.

Regards Neil

[CYPALMS]

Hi Neil,

i am kind of new into palms, but nevertheless i have tried many species so far and one of them was Chamaerops. What i can do here is share my observations and wait for others also to add theirs.

1. Chamaerops is classified as a remote germinator. What i have observed from 80 seeds i germinated was that the seed would send a sinker down to 8cm (max) and then from that point the leaves would start to emerge. After germination, i have used 2L water bottles as pots, with a height of 22cm. 2 months later the first root reached the bottom. Obviously new roots are formed and they also reach the bottom of the pot/bottle. In my opinion, very shallow pots lead very soon to root bound plants which leads to stress. On the other hand, extra deep containers may cause uneven moisture to build up especially towards the bottom of the container and in turn lead to root rot. The truth lies somewhere in the middle if you are germinating them for yourself.

2. I have personally used diluted seeweed solution as fertilizer for the first year after germination, and after that a small amount of slow release fertilizer, given the small size of the container also. In few occasions i have tried regular fertilizer at 2-3 leaves seedlings the result was sudden death.

3. I can tell about my seedlings which are 14 months old now, they have an average of 8 strap leaves and not yet a regular one.

Hope it helps.

George

[Alicehunter2000]

I would keep in dappled sun. Most palms seem to do better in dappled sun when still in pots. Don't over water...let dry out between waterings. I'll try and get a picture of one grown from seed.

6-7 years from seed?

[Neil C]

Thanks for the info. I've moved mine into some partial shade as they were in full, all day sun. Most of mine are still only one leaf seedlings although I was gifted a young plant which I would guess is at least 2 years old. They must really pick up some growth when they get to 2/3 years old.

Regards Neil

[NorthFlpalmguy]

I personally like to sow Chamaerops in smaller/shorter community pots as it's bothersome transplanting the longer roots. It takes too long to wrap the long roots up when planting many of them. Not sure on it promoting plant growth.

I've got a few hundred that are in partial sun/full sun and the partial sun portion of the field Chamaerops look better to me. The trunks seem to grow thicker and longer in full sun with compact heads and the fronds longer in partial sun. I've got a range of these from 2-4 ft in height that are 6 yrs from seed.

[Neil C]

Many thanks for the input from a commercial grower. 2-4ft for a 6 year old plant seems like a reasonable growth rate. Thanks again for everyone's input.

Regards Neil

[NorCalWill]

When do you harvest the seeds?

I picked some green ones yesterday, and am wondering if they will germinate...

[Pal Meir]

When do you harvest the seeds?

I picked some green ones yesterday, and am wondering if they will germinate...

I think it would better to wait until the fruits are yellow or brownish. If they have only this colour it might be too early:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/palmeir/8192411003

I have grown up hundreds of Chamaerops (also cerifera) in plastic pots of only 8x8x9cm size and didn't have any problems.

Here one example of the same Ch. grown up from seed in 1980:

(1) 1 1/2 years old (1981): https://www.flickr.com/photos/palmeir/8193502740

(2) 28 years old (2008): https://www.flickr.com/photos/palmeir/8193541734