Livistona Chinensis Germination

[nitsua0895]

These are very common palms but I'm experimenting with different soil mixtures to find the optimal growing medium for this species. I placed about 100 seeds in a cup of water and half of them are already beginning to germinate after 2-3 weeks.

My original plan is to use a mixture of 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent perlite. I'm hoping that this will keep the seedlings moist but not too soggy. Does anyone else have experience with this type of soil mixture? And does L. Chinensis have a long radicle? I'm trying to decide whether I should use short or tall liners.

 

[Ben in Norcal]

That mix sounds scary.  If it dries out, you will never wet it again.

[nitsua0895]

55 minutes ago, Ben in Norcal said:

That mix sounds scary.  If it dries out, you will never wet it again.

Do you think I should lower the amount of peat moss I have in the mixture? 

[Ben in Norcal]

I'm no mixture expert, but chinensis is so undemanding I would just use a quality palm soil.  They do like water but they are pretty unfussy/tough to kill in my experience.  I wouldn't over-think it with this species.

[nitsua0895]

Yeah I probably shouldn't worry about it too much. I'm always trying to make the perfect mixture and want to use things like Seramis and LECA but I can't find either of them anywhere. So it results in me trying out all sorts of strange combinations.

[Stethoscope]

58 minutes ago, nitsua0895 said:

Yeah I probably shouldn't worry about it too much. I'm always trying to make the perfect mixture and want to use things like Seramis and LECA but I can't find either of them anywhere. So it results in me trying out all sorts of strange combinations.

Nitsua are you in the US/Canada?.... LECA is sold on amazon in both countries:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MHQ0IHA/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481428956&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=leca+clay&dpPl=1&dpID=51LQe1MSQOL&ref=plSrch

I'm currently waiting on my Canadian order which got lost in the mail. They have 3 bag sizes (10L, 25L and 40L). PalMeir seems to be pretty big on seramis and LECA ...good resource to chat with. 

[nitsua0895]

Yes, I'm in the US. Thanks for the link!

Have you ever been able to find Seramis for sale? 

[Stethoscope]

2 minutes ago, nitsua0895 said:

Yes, I'm in the US. Thanks for the link!

Have you ever been able to find Seramis for sale? 

http://www.germandeli.com/Seramis-Ton-Granulat-7-5

It's a deli but also sells German manufactured products.

[ParkerK]

Hey there @nitsua0895!

How did the germination go on these guys? Did thy have pretty long radicle?

I’ve got some that are just starting to produce radicals. Started germinating them on 1/17/18 and some of the radicals are almost an inch long.

Can’t decide if I should put them in a tall band or something stouter? Thanks!