Growing Adonidia merrillii seedlings

[Mdmlb]

Hi, out of boredom I picked up a fallen Adonidia merrillii fruit about a month ago, dehusked it and buried beside a different plant in a pot. I was surprised that it germinated so 2 weeks ago I picked up 5 more and did the same but this time buried them in a separate container.
Today, I decided to transplant the first seed into a recycled plastic cup 4 inches tall and was surprised at how deep the roots go (first image). 
Initially, the 5 seeds are in a very shallow container around an inch deep just so I can easily check if they are germinating. A few days ago I removed them from that container and transferred them into a 3.5 inch deep recycled food container (second image shows them prior to repotting). But at this point after seeing the first seed’s roots, how deep of a pot will it need? I don’t have any open plot of land I can stick them into. Any timeline on when I can expect the first plumule to grow?  Also, for the first seed, when the leaf will unfurl? How long can they stay in these small recycled containers?

Edited July 13, 2021 by Mdmlb
details

[PalmatierMeg]

They need pots at least 6"/15cm deep with drain holes and a coarse well-draining soil to start with. Bury the seeds about halfway with roots below soil. Put pot in a shady, warm location and keep soil moist but not soggy. Adonidias grow quickly in heat and humidity.

[Palmlover_78]

12 hours ago, Mdmlb said:

Hi, out of boredom I picked up a fallen Adonidia merrillii fruit about a month ago, dehusked it and buried beside a different plant in a pot. I was surprised that it germinated so 2 weeks ago I picked up 5 more and did the same but this time buried them in a separate container.
Today, I decided to transplant the first seed into a recycled plastic cup 4 inches tall and was surprised at how deep the roots go (first image). 
Initially, the 5 seeds are in a very shallow container around an inch deep just so I can easily check if they are germinating. A few days ago I removed them from that container and transferred them into a 3.5 inch deep recycled food container (second image shows them prior to repotting). But at this point after seeing the first seed’s roots, how deep of a pot will it need? I don’t have any open plot of land I can stick them into. Any timeline on when I can expect the first plumule to grow?  Also, for the first seed, when the leaf will unfurl? How long can they stay in these small recycled containers?

I currently have 10, 10 month old Adonidia seedlings, and mine took about a month, here is a time line to help ya the first Three are Oct Nov Dec 2020 The fourth photo is now at 10 months old

[Mdmlb]

2 hours ago, Palmlover_78 said:

I currently have 10, 10 month old Adonidia seedlings, and mine took about a month, here is a time line to help ya the first Three are Oct Nov Dec 2020 The fourth photo is now at 10 months old

Great! How long do you think they can stay in those cups?

[Palmlover_78]

28 minutes ago, Mdmlb said:

Great! How long do you think they can stay in those cups?

Hello, That pic is about two weeks old, I transplanted them into larger pots, They still had a bit of room left, I would say no more then a year...

[Mdmlb]

Three weeks later they have all sprouted nicely..can they stay together like this or will it hinder growth?

[Palmlover_78]

They can stay like this for about year, but they do need to be potted up individually , or in pairs depending on what you want, and yes when they are grouped up like that they are competing for Nutrients and there growth will be slower.

[Mdmlb]

Hi, they’ve grown steadily for the past few days and I have people who are willing to adopt one or two.. anyone knows how to transport the seedlings out of the soil? 

[Frond-friend42]

3 hours ago, Mdmlb said:

Hi, they’ve grown steadily for the past few days and I have people who are willing to adopt one or two.. anyone knows how to transport the seedlings out of the soil? 

Mdmlb,

Welcome. Nice spikes you have there! 

I would wait to transfer these. They will become sturdier once the leaves grow out into a lovely v-shape. Then, they will look relatively crowded:

1.water thoroughly.

2. Gently dump using one hand as a cushion to keep from damaging stems as they fall. Gently separate each set of roots--your medium looks good...fast draining chunky stuff.

3. Tip on care...it's easy to kill from overwatering or too much sun exposure at the seedling stage...avoid much direct sun or wetness

[Mdmlb]

40 minutes ago, Frond-friend42 said:

Mdmlb,

Welcome. Nice spikes you have there! 

I would wait to transfer these. They will become sturdier once the leaves grow out into a lovely v-shape. Then, they will look relatively crowded:

1.water thoroughly.

2. Gently dump using one hand as a cushion to keep from damaging stems as they fall. Gently separate each set of roots--your medium looks good...fast draining chunky stuff.

3. Tip on care...it's easy to kill from overwatering or too much sun exposure at the seedling stage...avoid much direct sun or wetness

Thanks for the advice!

Yeah its located in a brightly shaded area which doesn’t get direct sunlight at this time of year. I also rarely water, just a thorough spraying every 2-3 days. 

One seed I planted earlier than these already has that beautiful v-shaped leaves!

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Mdmlb

[Mdmlb]

I decided to repot but the seed came off one of the shoots, is this ok? It’s currently Day 40.. 

[PalmatierMeg]

It should be fine. If the seed drops off easily the seedling has likely absorbed all the nutrients. From now on it has to feed itself through photosynthesis.

[Palmlover_78]

On 8/1/2021 at 9:45 AM, Mdmlb said:

Thanks for the advice!

Yeah its located in a brightly shaded area which doesn’t get direct sunlight at this time of year. I also rarely water, just a thorough spraying every 2-3 days. 

One seed I planted earlier than these already has that beautiful v-shaped leaves!

 

Beautiful and healthy little seedling ya got there If the conditions are what it likes then you should see a new V shaped frond every two months or so ..:D

Edited August 10, 2021 by Palmlover_78

[Mdmlb]

It’s currently day 80 for my main seedling and it seems to be growing well, expecting one or two new fronds soon?

The recommendation was to have it planted in a 6 inch pot. I currently have it in a 4 inch pot (don’t mind the pothos cuttings ). Will it be bad for the roots or the palm itself? Anyway, I don’t plan on having a large tree anytime soon

Edited August 29, 2021 by Mdmlb

[Palmlover_78]

These guys like to be alone despite the multi trunk specimens you see at Nursery's. 4" is ok

[palmfriend]

Hi,

I might be wrong about this but I found out that their seeds do not sprout over here while being

on the ground's plain surface. When I made a little spot to grow tomato plants I put an extra layer of

soil on a crushed stone bed (were they have been) and then this happened...

 

Seeds that were there for months sprouted within weeks... So, I guess they need some 

kind of protection in form of shade or dirt/soil to sprout. (my 2 cents...)

However, I will give them a bit more time before potting them up.

 

Lars

 

 

 

 

 

[greysrigging]

I have two mature trees that flower and produce viable seed to the point of being a nuisance. 100% strike rate, they germinate in every pot, hanging pot,  cracks in the garden edging etc, sprout in the lawn, become unguided missiles beneath the lawn mower, draw blood on ones shins.  The only redeeming freature if the lack of native birds and animals wishing to disperse the seeds, unlike our native Carpentaria which is truely a weed in cultivation.

[Looking Glass]

3 hours ago, greysrigging said:

I have two mature trees that flower and produce viable seed to the point of being a nuisance. 100% strike rate, they germinate in every pot, hanging pot,  cracks in the garden edging etc, sprout in the lawn, become unguided missiles beneath the lawn mower, draw blood on ones shins.  The only redeeming freature if the lack of native birds and animals wishing to disperse the seeds, unlike our native Carpentaria which is truely a weed in cultivation.

These are such nice looking and easy palms especially younger and at middle age, but they are the same here.  They produce an unholy army of seeds nonstop.  As fast as I can cut them down, they come back with another load.  I’ve got about a dozen trees overhanging my lot from all sides.  They are a close 2nd to Ptychosperma elegans which is the true champion of weediness here.