Germinating encephalartos

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macario
Seedling
Posts: 488
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:11 am
Location: Zone Chicago (inner city)

Germinating encephalartos

Post by macario » Mon May 23, 2011 10:35 am

Hello Im real bad seed germination and seedlings so Im on here asking, Whats the best way to germinate encephalartos seeds. I ordered 2 and they just came in the mail.


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Knnn
Clumping Palm
Posts: 2368
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:54 am
Location: Central Kansas , USA ~ Zone 5

Post by Knnn » Tue May 24, 2011 8:52 am

What works for me is first soaking them overnight.
I'm assuming you have good seed and no "floaters", if they are floating, keep them in the water for a few days and see if they sink.
Afterwards, I put mine in a container half filled with barely moistened perlite. Lay the seeds on their side half buried, seal the container and find a warm spot (85-95F)

There are reports of "de-lidding" greatly speeding up Encephalartos germination, I've never tried it.

Here's one of Tom's articles on Cycad germination.
http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/horticulture/seeds.htm

Good luck with them!

Steve
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Jubaea
Seedling
Posts: 137
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:03 pm
Location: California

Post by Jubaea » Tue May 24, 2011 12:21 pm

Be patient with them. I am growing my first cycads from seed that I planted 2 years ago. These were from my female Cycas revoluta. This is outdoors in a cool coastal climate in California with no additional heat. Some seeds are still germinating and many others are putting out their first leaves.

Good Luck.

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