Bismarckia nobilis from seed

[Padraic]

As a newbie on Palm, beside the most easy Washingtonian Palm to grow in the area. 

I found sucess on Bismarckia nobilis from seed to palm tree.  Bismarckia are relative easy in Yuma with 10A climate in the desert.  Seed sprout in four weeks from water soak to shoe box plastic container in the hot summer. Using deep PVC pipe to get the root going and then to pot.

My question is: the young plant pot need to be deep also? What is the minimum height of the young plant. I use 11" today. Would a even deeper pot is more advantage for the growth of the young plant?

[PalmatierMeg]

The deeper the better. It sends down long roots that are very sensitive to disturbance.

[aztropic]

I just put the sprouts directly into 5 gallon pots and call it good.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Steve Mac]

Here's mine.

   

Some would say that the pot was too big and that cheap wood mulch potting mix is no good but 4 years later .... the bottom quarter of the pot is full of healthy roots. I took it out to give it away recently.

[Padraic]

20 hours ago, aztropic said:

5 gallon pots and call it good.

Thanks for sharing. I appreciate all the inputs. 5 gallon port is about 10 inches tall for the root. Its good to know they can develop healthy in the height.

Would a taller pot promote a faster growth like 14 inches? I guess that is a hard question unless experiment with enough sample to answer that question.  

From the internet, it seems deeper the better and don't disturb the root.  The tallness pose what is available cheaply from commercial. That is the key question for mass production or people don't have the time. There is one place you can buy tall pot in quantity on the net, but not in low quantity. Shipping of big box is crazy expensive today. I was looking for a 25 gallon pot for a good size Pygmy Date, it cost $13 for the pot with $30 shipping. Luckily, my local nursery has it.

I can get 5 gallons locally for $1.30 a piece which is very good price because of the standard size.  Ideally for a young plant and save space or soil material. A tall 2 gallon probably ideal for yong plant, after seedling stage.

Homemade tall PVC tube or soda bottle are great ideas when there is only a dozen or two seeds.  Home Depot has 6 inches PVC pipe at $36 ($28 at Lowe) for a 10 foot. I can cut it in any length. Closing the bottom would take extra cost and time.  

[Padraic]

Hi gtsteve, how tall is that clear bottle pot? Is it over 20 inches?

[Steve Mac]

No Mate, that clear double pot that I made out of a big coke bottle and another plastic bottle would not have been 20", but the white water pipe was.

[palmfriend]

Hi there,

same over here...

Two large pet bottles put together, worked perfectly. (two years ago)

...and now

I took my time when re-potting due tho their sensible roots - another one is planted out but still has almost the same size -  

no damage taken, they are all doing well.

 

best regards  from Okinawa

Lars

 

[DoomsDave]

Panting with anticipation

Licky licky!

[Padraic]

gtsteve, Thanks for the feedback.

[chocolatethunda]

On 8/3/2020 at 5:17 PM, aztropic said:

I just put the sprouts directly into 5 gallon pots and call it good.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

Hi aztropic,

After putting out the first frond/leaf, how long after did you transplant them and the 5 gallon pots, did you have the move the roots around a bit? I've placed my recently germinated seeds of Bizzie in 16" Pvc pipes, but the roots came out at the bottom anyways, not sure if I should repot them or they can stay in these for some time.

 

 

[aztropic]

As soon as I see a germinated bismarck seed,it goes directly into a 5 gallon pot.I never have to transplant anything as this is the pot I sell them in.Zero root disturbance on my end.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Dartolution]

I agree with the deeper the better comments. I planted a strap leaf seedling this spring into a 24 inch deep by 14 in wide column planter, and it exploded in growth and is now palmate. 

[Padraic]

On 8/18/2020 at 5:45 PM, chocolatethunda said:

the roots came out at the bottom anyways

I have the same experience on the root come out in my 12" PVC pipe. When I translated to 5 gallon pot, the root that came out get broken. It doesn't seem to be affected the transplant and new leave continuous developing. Seedling go to tall 5 gallon sound like a good idea in low quantity of production. It is not easy to find tall 5 gallon pot for me especially in the pandemic. Are they available in Phoenix or San Diego area in retail?  

[chocolatethunda]

1 hour ago, Padraic said:

Are they available in Phoenix or San Diego area in retail?  

Hi @Padraic,  I'm in Aruba (Dutch Caribbean) and it's even harder to get deep pots here on the island, I'm thinking about ordering a few from https://www.stuewe.com/ but then again it's gonna take some time before they get here. Example: TP414 Tall One.

[gil escobar]

Hello everybody.,

A newbee an understatement! Got 4 seedlings that sprouted as I mound a prolific amount of seeds around the mature trees trunks to get them out of the way. ( have 10 about 15 years old ).

Want to plant these 4 in pipes or containers to not disturb roots. Question as for starter soil??? Buy at my gerdening center a specific type, mix in beach sand ??? crushed shells, bark, or what?

[aztropic]

Bismarcks really don't seem to care what they grow in. They are very hardy palms. If the medium drains ok,they will be fine.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona