Iso Acrocomia totai seed

[apriliarider15]

Thanks in advance 

[kinzyjr]

This thread might give you an idea of where to look if you're ever in the area:

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/60404-the-most-acrocomia-specimens-i-have-ever-seen-dozens-of-specimens/

[apriliarider15]

  On 1/6/2024 at 4:52 PM, kinzyjr said:

This thread might give you an idea of where to look if you're ever in the area:

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/60404-the-most-acrocomia-specimens-i-have-ever-seen-dozens-of-specimens/

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I'll keep that in mind if I'm down that way

[thyerr01]

@kinzyjr I'm not sure how familiar you are with those locations or whether A. totai is planted elsewhere in Lakeland, but do you know when it actually has fruit in your area? There were no fruits or flowers there in November (or in Dade city) and the small amount of seed I found was very old and not viable. I'd also like to track down some of these.

[kinzyjr]

  On 1/6/2024 at 10:50 PM, thyerr01 said:

@kinzyjr I'm not sure how familiar you are with those locations or whether A. totai is planted elsewhere in Lakeland, but do you know when it actually has fruit in your area? There were no fruits or flowers there in November (or in Dade city) and the small amount of seed I found was very old and not viable. I'd also like to track down some of these.

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It's a good question that I can't answer definitively.  They seem to seed at irregular intervals.  There were a few fruits/seeds laying around in late September 2021, but not a lot.  It was obvious that they did produce viable seeds at points as there were volunteers at varying stages all over the property.  My assumption was that October or November was going to be prime seeding time since one of the palms had fruit that was green, but given your report, I'd say that's not a safe assumption.

I did find a few seeds that looked viable under this palm a while back, but it isn't my favorite species to have around so the seed was given to another grower.

[thyerr01]

@apriliarider15 I don't mean to sidetrack this thread - but collecting seed from central Florida is probably the most realistic way to get hold of this species. Its not a species that is propagated commercially and even then the seed germination is slow and irregular. Treatment with GA3 might help with germination efficiency if you try.

@kinzyjr I only saw a handful of seedlings at the property, maybe 5 or so, and I looked pretty thoroughly. The seed I found may well have dated to 2021 or earlier and every nut I opened just turned to dust. If you ever happen to pin down when they fruit I'd love an update. The last couple of freezes have wiped out queen palms across Houston and central Texas and I'm keen to try this as an alternative - spines and all.

[Fusca]

@thyerr01 is right, it took me about 15 months to get one seed to germinate using different methods.