Germinating W.Robusta Seeds- Help/Advice

[RobustaEnvirons]

Hello everyone. I'm trying to germinate a Washingtonia Robusta seed and I just have a few questions. It's my very first time starting any palm from seed. 

I soaked 1 seed for 5 days in water (I was going to soak it only for 3 days but forgot about the seed on accident).

I mixed up a potting mix of

1. MG Cactus/Palm/Succulent potting mix

2. MG Perlite

3. Sand

I mixed this all together and put it in a Powerade bottle (with the top cut off). 

I then placed the soaked seed 1/4 inch in the soil (in the center). Finally, I sprinkled 1OZ of water into the target area to keep it moist (but not wet). 

It's been sitting in my bay window for a day or so now. I have a hot-air furnace vent directly below the ledge of my bay window. I figure that the constant warm air will help out. 

The bay window is South-Southwest facing. I've had a Robusta seedling thriving in that very spot since September. It's always 73-77F in our house (or possibly warmer). 

I believe I've done all I can do at this point. I understand W.Robusta grow neglected out of cracks in sidewalks in places like Southern California/Nevada/Arizona with barely any water at all. So I would hope this seed would take off nicely in this pampered environment. 

It's early days yet I know.

Edited December 30, 2015 by RobustaEnvirons

[knell]

If it is fresh seed, you will see something in a couple of weeks or less (just make sure its not getting chilled through the glass), it is hard to get them to not sprout. You picked a great seed to do for your first time, keep giving it lots of light or it will look like spaghetti.

Also that is a very nice impromptu container for a seed, I dont know why I never thought of that.

[RobustaEnvirons]

30 minutes ago, knell said:

If it is fresh seed, you will see something in a couple of weeks or less (just make sure its not getting chilled through the glass), it is hard to get them to not sprout. You picked a great seed to do for your first time, keep giving it lots of light or it will look like spaghetti.

Also that is a very nice impromptu container for a seed, I dont know

why I never thought of that.

I believe they are decently fresh seeds (I received quite a lot of them from John Case in California). I don't suppose there is much I can do to keep it from getting chilled from the glass. The bay windows are a crank style windows and I've made doubly sure they're all tight. I supposed I could pull it back a little from the window closer to the ledge. Like I mentioned, beneath the ledge is a warm-air vent that blows warm air up into that part of the bay window. I have a Dracaena Marginata sitting in the center of the bay window and it loves it. The Dracaena Marginata's leaves blow so I can tell of the direction the warm-air vent is blowing. 

So far my Robusta seedling (right next to my seed I'm trying to grow) hasn't seemed to mind (if there is indeed any chill coming through the glass). I bought the Seedling in September from a seller in Nevada. He pulled it from his backyard and sold it to me. I then potted it in a Powerade bottle, lol. Thank you, I really like starting them in a Powerade bottle since then they're easy to transport, grow better while small, and initially require less potting soil. Also, the bottles are practically free.  

I literally got done drinking some Powerade and thought "what am I gonna use for a container for that thing". And then I thought of using the bottle! I love Washingtonia Robusta and its my favorite palm. It just so happens to be a very easy Beginners Palm and very tolerant to grow and take care of. A little while after using that Powerade bottle I noticed somebody else on Youtube using one as well.  They work well. it seems.   

By the way, the only light I can really provide is light from the sun outside the window. I don't have the means to set up a grow lamp or anything (I live with family and all). So far my Robusta seedling (shown in the photo) has only thrived from light coming through that window. I've had my Robusta Seedling there since September and haven't moved it or anything. I also have a larger adolescent W. Robusta thats positioned on the opposite side of the bay window and its done well also with only light from outside that window.   

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

That soil looks too dry for robusta.  Keep them damp and warm and you'll have a seedling in 2-3 weeks.

[Pando]

Make sure your containers can drain water out of the bottom. You can cut some holes to the bottom and place it into a larger container or tray to collect the water that drains out so it doesn't ruin your furniture.

While washies grow here like weeds, they will need water to germinate. We are in a chilly wet period here, and this is the environment where the seeds are sprouting, so keep your soil damp. Once they are established, you can start cutting back on watering - they can grow in a dry free-draining medium as long as they get drenched occasionally.

As with many houseplants, avoid frequent watering by small amount at a time. If you're using a regular tap water, this will build up salts in the soil and eventually kill the plant. It's best to let the soil dry out and then drench it enough so water will drain out of the holes below. This will help to leach out the salts from the soil.

Edited December 30, 2015 by Pando

[RobustaEnvirons]

1 hour ago, Pando said:

Make sure your containers can drain water out of the bottom. You can cut some holes to the bottom and place it into a larger container or tray to collect the water that drains out so it doesn't ruin your furniture.

While washies grow here like weeds, they will need water to germinate. We are in a chilly wet period here, and this is the environment where the seeds are sprouting, so keep your soil damp. Once they are established, you can start cutting back on watering - they can grow in a dry free-draining medium as long as they get drenched occasionally.

As with many houseplants, avoid frequent watering by small amount at a time. If you're using a regular tap water, this will build up salts in the soil and eventually kill the plant. It's best to let the soil dry out and then drench it enough so water will drain out of the holes below. This will help to leach out the salts from the soil.

I actually put 4 holes in the bottom of the container for drainage. I heated up the end of a screwdriver and punched holes on the bottom. I use a little tray to catch the water underneath it when water drips out.  

I just now gave my seed a good drenching until water dripped out the bottom. I also gave my Seedling Robusta a drenching also. I only use Bottled water to water my Robustas since I had heard something about the salt buildup. I wasn't sure so I wanted to be on the safe side.

So now that its plenty hydrated I'm thinking its probably going to do well then hopefully. I think the warm-air vent below the edge of the bay window does dry it out a little quicker than it otherwise might. I'll be sure to check in on it to see how wet it is; to keep it moist.  

Thank you for the help, I appreciate it.  

Edited December 30, 2015 by RobustaEnvirons

[Brad Mondel]

Check out how I sprouted these Washingtonia seeds: http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/46910-palm-seed-germination-experiment/#comment-721279

the combination of hot temperatures on the dash and high humidity made them sprout ultra fast! Keep them moist until they sprout. 

[Brad Mondel]

4 months later: 

 

[Laaz]

I just throw a handful in a container & off they go. For me the best soil to use is Miracle-Gro garden soil. Drains very well & doesn't dry out like potting soil.

 

 

 

Edited December 30, 2015 by Laaz

[Kostas]

W. robusta are very fast to germinate. With just 24h of soaking, many seeds start sprouting already. I have had 100% germinate within the first week, most of them within the first 3 days. Within a couple weeks the first leaf should be starting to show from the soil.

Keep them moist at all times, do t let them dry out in pots. Don't keep them in saturated soils either when very young though. I think they should be fine with the way you try to germinate them

[Josh-O]

1 hour ago, Laaz said:

I just throw a handful in a container & off they go. For me the best soil to use is Miracle-Gro garden soil. Drains very well & doesn't dry out like potting soil.

 

 

 

That's exactly what I do. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Palm seeds don't need light to germinate. Better to put containers away from the windows and very warm (top of fridge, hot water heater, PC box). After they germinate they need light.

[cm05]

Everything looks good. All of mine sprouted in under three weeks with no special care other than heat and water.

Here's mine from 0 to 3 months old:

Edited December 30, 2015 by cm05

[RobustaEnvirons]

55 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Palm seeds don't need light to germinate. Better to put containers away from the windows and very warm (top of fridge, hot water heater, PC box). After they germinate they need light.

Ok, thanks. I didn't know that. That's good then. 

[RobustaEnvirons]

48 minutes ago, cm05 said:

Everything looks good. All of mine sprouted in under three weeks with no special care other than heat and water.

Here's mine from 0 to 3 months old:

We keep the house between 73F-77F all the time. That's unfortunately the best I can get since its winter. I'm not able to put them on top of our refrigerator since its brand new and my grandma has said she doesn't want anything on top of it. So the best I can do is put it on the bay window and as close to the ledge as possible (far from the window as I can). There's a warm air vent directly below the ledge. 

 

[Kostas]

They don't need much warmth to germinate, they are fine at room temperature

[RobustaEnvirons]

17 minutes ago, Kostas said:

They don't need much warmth to germinate, they are fine at room temperature

Woo, that makes me feel better then. I wasn't sure if I could get them to go at 73-77F. In the Spring/Summer I've got all kinds of options such as putting them outside, or in our sunroom or something. But, being I live in NW Ohio my options diminish once nasty old man Winter gets here. 

I'm really just lucky to have such a nicely oriented bay window to use (and warm temps).  

Edited December 30, 2015 by RobustaEnvirons

[DoomsDave]

Keep us apprized!

Washies are good to start with, as they're easy.

Once yuo get started germing seeds, it's hard to stop. I just ordered a bunch from Rare Palm Seeds.

[Kostas]

Most palms can germinate fine at those temperatures, they just take a bit longer than with warmer one

[Pando]

3 hours ago, Josh-O said:

That's exactly what I do. 

Really? You grow washies??   

[Josh-O]

7 hours ago, Pando said:

Really? You grow washies??   

LMAO!

ok, seriously, just the black stem type 

[Moose]

4 hours ago, Josh-O said:

LMAO!

ok, seriously, just the black stem type 

Care to clue us in on the secret of their cultivation. Of course the lack of pictures may be expected.

[Josh-O]

9 hours ago, Moose said:

Care to clue us in on the secret of their cultivation. Of course the lack of pictures may be expected.

my camera just took a dump  

[Josh-O]

Just now, Josh-O said:

my camera just took a dump  

wait a minute, I was able to save the memory card..

[Josh-O]

2 minutes ago, Josh-O said:

wait a minute, I was able to save the memory card..

Darn the hard drive on the computer just crashed. you'll just have to take my word for it. 

[Pando]

Can't wait to see the pics of them black stem washies! Waitaminute, I have one in my front yard. My camera's broke too.

[RobustaEnvirons]

To provide better heating for my little seed I've found it effective to just leave it ontop of the actual warm-air vent for a while. 

Unfortunately, the warm-air vent doesn't run continuously. It blows out warm air for a while and then stops (as the thermostat in our home dictates). But, while I'm home I just leave the seed ontop of the vent and it keeps extra toasty. Since the warm-air vent is built into the floor I can't trust that someone won't knock over my seed (accidentally with their foot or something) when I'm not there. 

So I just leave it on my bay window ledge when I don't have it ontop of the vent. 

I guess that could be considered bottom-heat. 

[RobustaEnvirons]

On 12/30/2015, 4:06:18, DoomsDave said:

Keep us apprized!

Washies are good to start with, as they're easy.

Once yuo get started germing seeds, it's hard to stop. I just ordered a bunch from Rare Palm Seeds.

You bet I will! Once I see it push through the soil I'll keep ecstatic. I just hope it does. I'll let you guys know though. 

Edited January 2, 2016 by RobustaEnvirons

[yabazid]

Filibustas  August 17th and December 21st

 

Good luck.

 

[Laaz]

[RobustaEnvirons]

19 minutes ago, Laaz said:

That's a nice W.Robusta. With the shadow it looks like it's got a fibrous material on its trunk, like T. Fortunei does. 

[Laaz]

Seriously, if you want to grow the rarest of the Washingtonia's... You want to source the Washingtonia Christmasta... It's only found on a remote island off northern Alaska. I don't even think Josh has this one yet...

 

[RobustaEnvirons]

UPDATE: Okay, so far there is no activity with my Washingtonia Robusta seed. Its done nothing so far, and I'm actually starting to get worried and frustrated. I've kept it warm (away from the window draft) and I often set it on my furnace warm-air duct for hours on end (like all night and or parts of the day). Not to mention where I place it (other than the warm-air duct) its got consistent warm-furnace air blowing on it every time the furnace comes on (throughout the day). Also, I've kept the soil wet so it doesn't dry out. I've tried to following all the germinating advice that everyone's offered in this thread, but still nothing yet. 

The worst part about not knowing anything, is not knowing if the seed is actually growing or if its just rotted and sitting there under the soil. One time I planted a T.Fortunei seed (just as I'm doing now with my W.Robusta) and all it did was rot and waste my time. I just don't know if I've done something wrong or if its still working its magic. I've tried to avoid over-watering it, but everybody has said to maintain a level of being wet to allow it to germinate; to not let it dry out. So I don't know if I'm giving it too much water or if I'm providing enough!  

I know its still only been about a week, according to some on here it could take up to 3 weeks to surface.

I guess I will just try to remain patient. It'd be nice to know if I'm at least doing everything right.   

[cm05]

Give it a little more time, you're doing everything right. I'd only be somewhat concerned after a month or so of nothing, but the odds are that it will sprout, if it hasn't already, it can take a week before they reach the surface after they sprout. It's like watching paint dry, at least initially, but when they reach the surface it's fun to watch them grow.

Edited January 6, 2016 by cm05

[siege2050]

I germinated my Washingtonia Robusta/Fillibusta just by dropping the seed in a glass of water, changing it every couple of days, and they germinate in about a week to a week and one half in the water. I have one right now germinating in a glass. Then I just plant them in small pots. I had some Fillifera germinate this way as well but they rotted, which makes sense because they are a desert species I guess. Not that good of a picture, but you can see the white sprout on this seed that is germinating now after about a week in the water. Its getting potted now.

Edited January 13, 2016 by siege2050

[siege2050]

Here are a few that were germinated this way, they are around a couple and a half weeks old.

Edited January 13, 2016 by siege2050

[PalmatierMeg]

Washies are fast but they are not petunias. Expecting something in a week is unreasonable. Three weeks is cause for celebration. Three months in Ohio is acceptable. Palms germinate on their own timetables. Some take years. Dial down your expectations or you'll fret yourself into an ulcer.

[RobustaEnvirons]

I noticed something about my small Robusta seedling's new frond. This is a seedling I bought on eBay from a seller in Nevada back in September. It's done decently well since then. 

A while back I noticed this second leaf shooting up. But, today I noticed it's squeezed together. This second leaf always been like this since it first arose. It gets taller by the day. 

Is this normal for their new leaves? Is this happening due to something? Could it be from the cold? Or, could it be from too much heat? I often leave it on my furnace warm air vent for a long time (like overnight) and then move it to the bay window during the day to take advantage of daytime sun. I water it occasionally to keep it moist. 

Will this new leaf spread out like the other leaf eventually? 

[RobustaEnvirons]

[RobustaEnvirons]

4 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Washies are fast but they are not petunias. Expecting something in a week is unreasonable. Three weeks is cause for celebration. Three months in Ohio is acceptable. Palms germinate on their own timetables. Some take years. Dial down your expectations or you'll fret yourself into an ulcer.

Lol, okay. I do tend to get anxious and become impatient a lot. I don't mind the waiting. It's just that a few people have said to water it, but I'm afraid that it'll rot from repeatly watering it. They've said to keep it moist and wet, so I water it often. It dries out a little bit fast since I keep it ontop of my warm air vent. 

I just worry about having a lot of time invested in waiting for it to grow, only to find out it's sitting under the soil rotted! This happened to me once when I tried to grow a T.Fortunei from seed. All that time and waiting, and it was rotted underneath the whole time! You can imagine my disappointment and shock.

It's frustrating because nobody's ever said how much to water, so I water it a lot. Everybody just says to "keep it watered". Every now and again, I will water it until water drips out the bottom holes. 

The only reason I had expected it to sprout so quickly is because people on here were saying there Washies had done this.

Although I live in Ohio, I have it in constant heat (75F and up) and I've followed every instruction to provide it best growing conditions. So that's why I figured it'd be faster. 

But, I guess you're right though. I probably should lower my expectations and not worry about it so much. 

Edited January 14, 2016 by RobustaEnvirons