Borassus flabellifer

[tropicbreeze]

Recently got a Borassus flabellifer fruit.  When they're ripe they really stink, probably fermentation. Inside, after extensive washing, there were two large very hairy seeds.  Wonder if they're related to Cousin Itt?

Checking online for the best way to grow the seed and where to plant them for optimum growth I found conflicting information. Palmpedia said to plant the seed direct in the ground as they resent root disturbance.

They went on: "Hot, sunny, well drained position. Drought tolerant, cold sensitive." Then their photos show them growing beside rice paddys, hardly what you'd call "well drained". Another photo showed them growing inundated on flat land. In the same article it said "common in coastal areas with sandy or alluvial soils and in areas with permanent soil moisture such as flood plains and river valleys."

[Jonathan Haycock]

If you have the option, sowing a just germinated seed direct into ground is probably the way to go as they do not like root disturbance. I disturbed mine when repotting, but they did not die, just set them back a bit.

I have not planted any in the ground yet as I’ve only recently bought a property. Instead, I put a bottomless pot on top of another to provide a deep root run for the sinker (perhaps close to 50 cm deep in total). Once the seed naturally detached, I removed the top pot as the plumule starts quite far down (in the pot below). 

Concerning growing conditions, I’ve found they are faster in full sun with consistent irrigation. As I’m in a sub-tropical climate, I opted for a free draining mix to minimise risk of root rot in winter. You’d probably get away with a heavier medium up there.

Most important for a Borassus to thrive is full sun and plenty of moisture. 

Tip: Strong scissors work great for cutting excess fibre off the seed. 

[tropicbreeze]

Thanks for the info. I'll put them in pots until they germinate and then in the ground. Just have to make sure they don't become wallaby tucker.

[Rivera]

I don't see this species in discussion much. In my climate, it is an exotic import lumber only! It can be quite beautiful, but it's difficult to work with.