Germinating Borassus seed ~ Palmyra Palm

Germination Techniques

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Knnn
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Germinating Borassus seed ~ Palmyra Palm

Post by Knnn » Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:34 am

Borassus aethiopum

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Borassus/aethiopum.html


One of my winter projects, thought I would post some photos :-)


Seeds arrived the beginning of October. Here is one of the seed pods, these typically
hold three seeds.

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Here are the seeds,

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These were held in coir between 90-100f, first germination occurred within two weeks.

Image

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Last edited by Knnn on Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:41 am, edited 3 times in total.


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Knnn
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Post by Knnn » Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:35 am

These are similar to Bismarckia in that they need deep containers,
here is what I came up with.
(PVC pipe cut lengthwise & taped together)


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Knnn
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Post by Knnn » Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:36 am

After 4-8 weeks growth,


Image

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Ideally, these would be planted in place and left. To adapt to a manageable sized
container, these are lifted up with a contrived means to hold the seed
in place until it is fully spent.


Image

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Knnn
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Post by Knnn » Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:37 am

Image





The leaf stalk will start to green up once it emerges, at this time the seed should be
spent and can be removed.


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Here is another great write up on germinating Borassus seed,

http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/horticult ... lture3.htm


Steve
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Cameron_z6a_N.S.
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Post by Cameron_z6a_N.S. » Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:59 am

Great pics, Knnn!

If I remember correctly, the parent palm dies after flowering. There's also some great Borassus germination threads on PalmTalk.
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lucky1
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Post by lucky1 » Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:51 pm

Novel ideas for deep containers.
Good job!

Barb
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Knnn
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Post by Knnn » Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:49 pm

Cameron, Thanks, maybe you were thinking of Corypha?
B. aethiopum is dioecious. Flowering and fruiting take place whole year round. Pollination is largely done by insects. Elephants are fond of the fruit and are reputed to help in dispersing the seed.
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Pr ... ropagation


Barb, I can't take credit for the containers or germination practices. Just adapted what I've read elsewhere :D


Steve
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Cameron_z6a_N.S.
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Post by Cameron_z6a_N.S. » Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:57 pm

Steve, you're right :lol: I just saw the same giant seeds and didn't pay enough attention to the genus!
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Knnn
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Post by Knnn » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:07 am

First leaf emerging 8)

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Other one moving along,

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Post by TerdalFarm » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:43 pm

Very cool. Keep us updated. --Erik

lucky1
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Post by lucky1 » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:59 pm

Interesting that it flowers and fruits all year round.

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb ... hiopum.pdf

And watch out...elephants are fond of the fruit...
:lol:
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