Germinating W.filifera

[SeanK]

Received some W.filifera seed from an Etsy vendor out in California. What's a good way to germinate these?

 

 

[Fusca]

54 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Received some W.filifera seed from an Etsy vendor out in California. What's a good way to germinate these?

 

 

Pretty easy to germinate what whatever method you choose.  The last time I cleaned and soaked the seeds they started germinating while still in the water after just a couple of days!  In your climate I would clean the fruit off and soak them in water overnight then sow in a community pot and put outside in the shade.  Just water enough to keep the soil moist and not wet.  The fruit should be oily if it's truly W. filifera.

[Ben G.]

3 hours ago, SeanK said:

Received some W.filifera seed from an Etsy vendor out in California. What's a good way to germinate these?

 

 

They are very easy. I sprouted some 3 year old seeds a couple of months ago using some damp potting soil in a plastic bag. Within a week they were sprouting at nearly 100% germination rate. As long as you keep them warm and don't let them dry out, you can't really go wrong.

 

[NBTX11]

Soak seeds 

Throw in pot

Germinate

 

Seriously, they’re so easy to germinate it’s hard not to. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

I wonder if these seeds truly are pure W. filifera? I have heard a number of disappointments even from noted sellers.

[SeanK]

4 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

I wonder if these seeds truly are pure W. filifera? I have heard a number of disappointments even from noted sellers.

Only time will tell. 

[PalmsInBaltimore]

I'm a big fan of using plastic bag/mason jar/tray with clear plastic cover to seal in moisture and keep humidity high. About to experiment later this week (when some seeds are due to arrive!) with using hydroton LECA balls in a jar instead of soil for germination.

[jwitt]

Place in ground, water....

June 2023

 

Julv 2024

[LeonardHolmes]

I ended up with mystery sabal seedlings when I bought W filifera seeds on Etsy.  Wasted a couple of years and I can't afford to waste years any more.

[jwitt]

2 hours ago, LeonardHolmes said:

I ended up with mystery sabal seedlings when I bought W filifera seeds on Etsy.  Wasted a couple of years and I can't afford to waste years any more.

Always best to "know" the parents,  including nearby relatives when dealing with washingtonia offspring.  

That sux!

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

Fortunately I find it rather easy to distinguish between Washingtonia and Sabal seedlings. 

15 hours ago, jwitt said:

Always best to "know" the parents,  including nearby relatives when dealing with washingtonia offspring. 

That reminds me of  a fellow enthusiast that gave me some supposed W. filifera seeds. Claimed there where no robusta in sight for miles. He sent me a Google street view link to view the palm. I panned across the street and down next door to neighboring property and spotted a tall W, robusta. 🤣Sure enough, hybrid seedlings.

[jwitt]

@Las Palmas Norte 2012 was a good seed season in N Texas as robusta were decimated.  But robusta will return  soon.

Albuquerque area may become one as it is too cold for robusta.  

Other than the natural groves, it is really limited and spotty. 

 

 

[jwitt]

14 minutes ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Fortunately I find it rather easy to distinguish between Washingtonia and Sabal seedlings. 

That reminds me of  a fellow enthusiast that gave me some supposed W. filifera seeds. Claimed there where no robusta in sight for miles. He sent me a Google street view link to view the palm. I panned across the street and down next door to neighboring property and spotted a tall W, robusta. 🤣Sure enough, hybrid seedlings.

An interesting thing is PHX first palm(hybrid), where it came from(Hawaii) and yet native pure filifera were under 100 miles away! 

[Jerrrod]

The way that I’ve germinated my seeds was just put them in a baggy with potting mix and throw the whole thing in my aquarium (sealed bag of course). Depending on the type it would be full of roots in a few days. 82 degrees.