Question about germinating Washingtonia Filifera seeds

[IGrowPalmSeeds]

Hello, I have a quick question. Has anyone successfully germinated Filifera seeds in colder temperatures? Most of the sources I've looked at say to keep seeds at about 70 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I have this machine that automatically germinates seeds for me but there isn't any temperature control on it. It could be really warm one day and then quite cold the next. I can put hundreds of seeds in there so I'm not entire sure its worth it buying a bulk amount if they aren't going to germinate. Only in the summer months will the seeds be at a constant warm temperature.

[idontknowhatnametuse]

I've never germinated a Washingtonia seed. not because I can't but because I don't want to. but I assume it's pretty easy since it's Washingtonia. just as you say make sure to keep it warm. I recommend trying Sabal species as well. they're easy to germinate.

[aztropic]

37 minutes ago, IGrowPalmSeeds said:

Hello, I have a quick question. Has anyone successfully germinated Filifera seeds in colder temperatures? Most of the sources I've looked at say to keep seeds at about 70 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I have this machine that automatically germinates seeds for me but there isn't any temperature control on it. It could be really warm one day and then quite cold the next. I can put hundreds of seeds in there so I'm not entire sure its worth it buying a bulk amount if they aren't going to germinate. Only in the summer months will the seeds be at a constant warm temperature.

Forget the machine... Keep them on a heat mat at constant 90F soil temp and nearly every single seed will sprout. Why fight proven science?

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[SeanK]

Look for a heating mat to place under the soil/pots

[Silas_Sancona]

6 hours ago, IGrowPalmSeeds said:

Hello, I have a quick question. Has anyone successfully germinated Filifera seeds in colder temperatures? Most of the sources I've looked at say to keep seeds at about 70 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I have this machine that automatically germinates seeds for me but there isn't any temperature control on it. It could be really warm one day and then quite cold the next. I can put hundreds of seeds in there so I'm not entire sure its worth it buying a bulk amount if they aren't going to germinate. Only in the summer months will the seeds be at a constant warm temperature.

If in a colder part of the country / world,  follow other advise regarding using a heating pad to get 'em up.. 

Here in Arizona, at least has been my experience where i am located, Washingtonia seeds ( Both sp. and X filibustra )  sprout year round, even during the winter months when soil temperatures are cooler / we can see morning lows in the 30s.

Seeds retain viability for -at least- 6-8 months ( likely much  longer ) as well, ...so you don't have to sow them right when you receive them ..if purchased during the winter.. 

Even if you did go ahead and plant them up, they'll pop as soon as it is warm enough in the spring. 

 One of the easiest palms to germinate.

[aztropic]

There is a filifera about 1/4 mile away and I often get these sprouting around the yard from birds bringing over the seeds. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[ZPalms]

2 hours ago, aztropic said:

There is a filifera about 1/4 mile away and I often get these sprouting around the yard from birds bringing over the seeds. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

The way I would get attached to every seedling 😂

[Foxpalms]

2 hours ago, aztropic said:

There is a filifera about 1/4 mile away and I often get these sprouting around the yard from birds bringing over the seeds. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

Sounds like a nice problem to have!

[Frond-friend42]

I used a heat mat in a normal temp (73 F?) room with vermiculite and coir.  I didn't get an astounding germination rate but good enough for me. I tried some in perlite too but the coir did better. I think the perlite was doing out too fast maybe. I has them in these cones open to the air--not my usual method these days.

[Foxpalms]

15 minutes ago, Frond-friend42 said:

I used a heat mat in a normal temp (73 F?) room with vermiculite and coir.  I didn't get an astounding germination rate but good enough for me. I tried some in perlite too but the coir did better. I think the perlite was doing out too fast maybe. I has them in these cones open to the air--not my usual method these days.

I put mine in a baggie with lightly moist soil and germinated them at 90f and all have sprouted within a week.

[Jim in Los Altos]

On 10/7/2022 at 6:16 PM, Foxpalms said:

Sounds like a nice problem to have!

It may sound like a good thing to some but in areas where they seed prolifically and sprout, it’s a nasty problem. The palms anchor themselves into the ground while still very small and are difficult to extract. When there are hundreds of these seedlings, it can be unbearable and frustrating trying to control them. 

[NorCalWill]

During a January hike in a canyon above Palm Springs one year, I saw W. filifera seeds sprouting underwater in a cold water stream...I don't think they need a lot of special care to germinate.

[Foxpalms]

26 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

It may sound like a good thing to some but in areas where they seed prolifically and sprout, it’s a nasty problem. The palms anchor themselves into the ground while still very small and are difficult to extract. When there are hundreds of these seedlings, it can be unbearable and frustrating trying to control them. 

Not only that they are very robust. I know someone who had them germinate all over their patio and and even after pulling most of the palm out there was part of it left in the crack and it grew back. 

[Silas_Sancona]

37 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

It may sound like a good thing to some but in areas where they seed prolifically and sprout, it’s a nasty problem. The palms anchor themselves into the ground while still very small and are difficult to extract. When there are hundreds of these seedlings, it can be unbearable and frustrating trying to control them. 

Yes it can, lol.. 

Here at least, if you let the area they sprouted go dry long enough, they will die ...if still strap leaf size..  Bigger than that, they somehow manage to survive ( ...and seek revenge, haha ).

[Jim in Los Altos]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Yes it can, lol.. 

Here at least, if you let the area they sprouted go dry long enough, they will die ...if still strap leaf size..  Bigger than that, they somehow manage to survive ( ...and seek revenge, haha ).

Here in California, seedlings will withstand our yearly six months of no rain, mid spring through mid autumn,  growing in sidewalk cracks, between building foundations and asphalt, in blistering hot vacant lots, etc. They are practically indestructible. 

[Silas_Sancona]

3 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Here in California, seedlings will withstand our yearly six months of no rain, mid spring through mid autumn,  growing in sidewalk cracks, between building foundations and asphalt, in blistering hot vacant lots, etc. They are practically indestructible. 

Oh i remember, lol..  There used to be a few in my grandparent's neighborhood and my grandpa cursed the day they started seeding.. Would always find seedlings hiding in the most random places around the yard..  Even find seedlings popping up in the space where the fence boards are seated along part of their fence on a shadier side of the property, lol.





 

[Frond-friend42]

About  3.5 years old.

[Collectorpalms]

The issue isn’t germinating a Filifera, it’s keeping them alive when young in humid climates. If they were as easy as others palms, they wouldn’t gradually decrease as you go east of Texas.