Palm seeds

The seed is the start of a new plam tree. When you are going to plant palm seeds it is very important that the seeds are as fresh as possible. It is an advantage if you can harvest them directly from the tree, but not all out necessary. Before you plant the seeds in the soil you should check the inside and study the embryo. The color on the inside should not be brown or grey, which is most often a sign referring to that the seed is about to rot or that the seed simply was harvested too early.

Before you stick the seeds in the soil they should be put in water for about 48-72 hours. The water, that should be changed daily, contribute to a softening layer which will stimulate the seeds to germinate sooner. The seeds should then be planted. You put the seeds on the top of the soil and then cover them with a thickness of soil that is about half the diameter of the seed. Over the soil you put a small layer of cinder. The cinder will make sure that the soild does not dry out quickly. But be aware of long term wet soil - this will probably destroy the seed. It is important that the soil dries out completely before you water again. The temperature is another imporatant factor. Most seeds like it in between 25 to 35 degrees celcius. Many seeds will germinate in lower temperatures too but then again at a much slower speed.

Seeds from Washingtonia filifera are known to be among the easiest to germinate and the plants grow at a high speed - this will give you the feeling of results. Washingtonia filifera will for, for most people in Scandinavia, not be possible to grow outdoors so it is a permanent palm for the balcony. Jubaea chilensis are one of the more difficult palm trees to germinate from seeds. This palm demands much more stabile temperature and water conditions than for example Washingtonia filifera. Germinating Jubae chilensis seeds are for not for the novice.

Palm trees that have been grown from seeds are known to be more adapted to their locale climate, which here in north makes them more frost tolerant, but the negative aspect is time. It takes many years to grown a tree from seeds. If you want your palm tree to grow fast here in Scandinavia and thrive at a much higher rate than buy as big plants from the garden centre as possible. They will more likely succeed.

Seeds from Phoenix canariensis

Seeds from Washingtonia filifera

Top photo: Rune Olsen