When are Bismarckia seeds ready to pick & sprout?

[GTClover]

I've picked & started Bismarckia seeds that have fallen from the tree; they were black and soft which worked great, but I have access to seeds that are a rosy green & I'm wondering how soon they can be harvested because I won't be here for long.  Is it a waste to pick these now...?

[aztropic]

1 hour ago, GTClover said:

I've picked & started Bismarckia seeds that have fallen from the tree; they were black and soft which worked great, but I have access to seeds that are a rosy green & I'm wondering how soon they can be harvested because I won't be here for long.  Is it a waste to pick these now...?

Yes. They do not look even close to mature. Most likely would not sprout.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[JLM]

I do believe that the fruit will turn deep blue/black when its fully ready. At that point you would probably have decent success in germinating them.

Edited October 30, 2022 by JLM

[GTClover]

Thanks, I figured as much, but I was hopeful.  So, I be back here early Mar for a month, about how long do they take to mature?  Susan

[aztropic]

Bismarckia seeds seem to take over a year to mature. Those probably won't be ready,even in March. Best bet would be to look for mature seeds that have fallen with brown/black fruit. These seem to have a pretty long shelf life as I have sprouted seeds off my own tree a year after collecting them.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[GTClover]

Wow, I had no idea it could take that long!  Thanks, next year then.

[Fusca]

2 hours ago, GTClover said:

Wow, I had no idea it could take that long!  Thanks, next year then.

Also make sure that there are other Bismarckia palms around because they are dioecious palms.  If there's no male plant nearby you won't get germination anyway.  If you see volunteer seedlings under the mother palm that's a good sign!

Edited November 1, 2022 by Fusca

[Foxpalms]

On 10/30/2022 at 11:27 PM, JLM said:

I do believe that the fruit will turn deep blue/black when its fully ready. At that point you would probably have decent success in germinating them.

Just the info I was looking for. How long do Bismarckia seeds stay viable for, if I was was to collect some that have already fallen to the ground?

[GTClover]

On 10/30/2022 at 5:17 PM, GTClover said:

I've picked & started Bismarckia seeds that have fallen from the tree; they were black and soft which worked great, but I have access to seeds that are a rosy green & I'm wondering how soon they can be harvested because I won't be here for long.  Is it a waste to pick these now...?

Finally ready! I brought back seeds from GTC & I know they are Bismarckia seeds because they are from this tree (some were sprouting under the tree)& cleaned them myself, but they look different from ones I see posted online and there were two seeds in every fruit.  I'm getting ready to germinate some but would love someone to confirm that they are normal mature seeds.  They have been soaking for ~ 48hs.  All sank immediately.  Any Comments on their appearance or germinating recommendations are much appreciated!  Sorry I should have included a ruler but they are ~ 1.5" X 3/4".  The other seeds soaking are Hyophorbe lagenicaulis.

[aztropic]

Those are NOT bismarckia seeds. They are from the species Latania, probably loddigesii. It is a tropical palm that looks similar to a Bismarck,but has a much thinner trunk,and does not take the cold well.  

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[GTClover]

Humm very interesting...

[GTClover]

Thank you!  I just looked them up and it seems you are correct, but the parent trees sure look like Bismarckia right down to the fruit!  As I said I sprouted Bismarckia seeds in the past (~2008 too long ago for me to be sure), and I thought they looked different & the fact that there were 2 in each fruit...  Any the parents are gorgeous, so I'm still psyched about germinating them.  Are they remote germinators like Bismarckia?

[GTClover]

Correction, "Any the parents are gorgeous" should read "And the parent palm" is gorgeous!

[GTClover]

OK, dug a little deeper.  They are remote germinators so ordered some tree pots.  I look forward to posting their progress.  I'll also be trying to sprout the bottle palms.

[aztropic]

Both should sprout easily with a little heat. Young Latania are very showy,as the fronds are outlined in red on the edges. Both species should be kept above 40F to look their best but will survive a light freeze with some frond burn. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[GTClover]

Thanks!🌴

[MattyB]

That's a Latania

 

[GTClover]

Hurrah, my Latania seeds have finally sprouted!  I’ll post a new thread under the top Latania Seedlings, but since I started here, I thought I should post here 1^st.  I planted a few in a flower box at my house in Green Turtle (Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas) and several here in VT.  One has sprouted on Green Turtle and 2 here with the likelihood of quite a few more!  Interestingly enough, they look more like “Latania lontaroides” than “Latania loddigesii” which judging by the parent trees they are for certain. They are blue as blue can be & I have never seen a lontaroides on the island.  Is this how both species look at this stage?  They have red leaf edges.  I don’t have a photo, but though it’s a bit larger, & it is still only strap stage the leaves are green with red edges.