Medjool Dates popping

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:54 am

Never thought it'd be ME posting under germination...but YIPPPEEEEEEE.
After about a month soaking next to the wood stove in the basement:
Neat how they grow in the middle (which I learned from Steve's postings).

These popping makes up for feeling *sh-tty* after I ate a dozen (*burp*).
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:59 am

Congratulations

These are fun to grow! One thing I've found with them is to use at least a 6" deep container right from the start. ( those 20 ounce Styrofoam cups work good ) To me, it seems the deeper the roots grow initially results in longer strap leafs and overall faster growth.

Just my opinion, individual results may vary

Here's one that germinated this Summer,

Here it is today, ( in a 1 gallon container under the leaves)

Steve

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:08 pm

CVongratulations Barb. Its a christmas miracle for you. I once had 3 miracles close to christmas, but 2 of them were card tricks.

Hey Steve - that plant on the right hand side of your picture, is that the one I gave to you? It sure looks like mine.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:20 pm

Hi Kent, That's it! the other one has a window seat. Not exactly sure what they are yet, but they are both growing well. ( nothing really seems to bother them either )

Steve

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:20 pm

Medjool Dates will feather rather quickly. I'll post some pics of my three year old plants tomorrow when it gets light out. They are in the ground & about 4 1/2 foot tall.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:54 pm

GREAT JOB!!!
I would have to say that for me too, the Medjool Dates were the funnest.
My personal findings with these are this...
Very fast to germinate and put up a first leaf, however after that first leaf grows up, they are very slow to get going after that. Of my 18 I popped, about 15 of them put out the first split leaf on it's 4th or 5th leaf. The rest have not yet started to split.
Put them in a deep pot to start out with. I also found that I couldn't water them too much as seedlings. I might add that after they get about two strap leaves, I repotted them and GENTLY cut off the seed from the stalk. I lost one tree from the water setting in the "pocket" made by the seed attachment to the stalk. This might make more sense to you later

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:36 am

Thanks for the valuable tips, folks.
Appreciate it very much.
It'll be cool to have palms that I started...

Still looking for 20 oz styro cups...
think I'll have to go to Starbucks

Barb

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:53 am

Nice work Barb!

Everyone's right about deep pots since Phoenix species have deep reaching roots, even as small seedlings. I can't seem to winter one here with our high winter humidity. Even a rain canopy won't work as most winter days are at least 90% relative humidity so the growth spear rots out. Phoenix canariensis are much better adapted to humidity and seem fine here.
Good luck with your new seedlings and keep us posted! Seasonal cheers, Barrie.

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:18 pm

Barb these are my store bought Medjool dates. They are about three years old from seed.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:45 pm

BTW thanks to everyone for NOT saying that these are the easiest in the world to pop

Those are 3 years old?

Gorgeous!!!
They obviously like acidic soil, judging by the oak leaves at their base.

I've wandered around the house looking for ANYTHING that could be used as a deep pot.
12 of 'em.
Gave up when I found myself looking in a sock drawer

Might have to look at large diameter PVC pipe leftovers in the shop...or maybe cut up an old downspout.

In the meantime, I've put them into a casserole dish of misted perlite.
Just hope my husband doesn't get hungry when I'm out!

How long should the radicle be for planting?

Barb

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:04 pm

Use 2 liter soda bottles, just cut the top off & make some drainage holes in the bottom...

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:16 pm

I usually wait until the radicle is at least 2cm before potting up.

The soda bottles are a great idea

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:30 pm

Laaz, what a super idea! Thanks.
Will stock up on pop just so I can have a dozen! (*burp*)

Steve, you'll laugh at this.
You're so thoughtful to give me the centimetre measurement.
But I'm an old fart still not used to our system.
Had to Google 2 cm = ? inch

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:35 pm

Congrats Barb!

Cali-wanna-b · Post by **Cali-wanna-b** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 6:39 am

BTW thanks to everyone for NOT saying that these are the easiest in the world to pop

No problem Barb..............

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:12 am

Also, the warmer you keep them, the faster they will grow

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:42 pm

Thanks...
Jeez, I'm gonna have to pull the blinds...or shave

How old are yours Steve?
They look very healthy.
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:59 am

Germinated the Summer of 2005, The cat was abandoned as a kitten last Summer. ( She always slept curled up around the Palms in the yard, brought her in for Winter, and that is still where she sleeps

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:46 pm

That's a lot of growth in 2 years.
Very nice.

That's one fortunate cat!
Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:48 pm

Got an idea today for other than 2 L pop bottles (it'd take us two years to drink 'em

)

From the convenience store.
sturdy plastic, 9.5 inches/ 24 cm tall.
Roots will be protected from the sun, which I think might be important.

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:14 am

Barb,

Looks like a 7-11 Commercial to me! LOL!!!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:59 pm

Those should work great! Next time you are at the garden centers, see if they are disposing of their old trays. these make great cup holders

Steve

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:16 pm

Nice, Steve!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:06 pm

Best part is the price...lol

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:58 am

Dean, wish I had shares in 7/11

Steve I've never seen those cup holders/trays before.
Will have a look next time at nursery.
Good idea 'coz styro and other tall cups are top heavy.

Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:08 pm

Bent radicles?
Probably from poking around to see if they're ready to plant

Into 9.5 inch tall cups, onto basement floor beside woodstove. Thermometer on the floor reads 102 !!

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:46 am

Good looking seeds, Barb. How many do you have, just three?

Dean

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:40 am

The cup holders were being used for tomato plants before I got them.

Those Phoenix's look good, at those temps you'll probably have leaves within a month!

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:24 am

Dean, these three had radicles 3/4" to 1" long and ready to plant.
Other ones are still in the container with 100% perlite.

Steve, when I think of all the cardboard cup holders I've thrown away over the yrs.

have leaves within a month!

How very exciting!

Wonder why I have to always load the woodstove

Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:03 pm

After three months in their 9.5 inch cups, expected to see SOMETHING happening.
Dug one up carefully.
Looks rotted. I suspect not enough heat, too much moisture.

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:24 pm

So sad.... it happens to all of us.

Are all of them that way?

Dean

PalmsNorth.com

Medjool Dates popping

Medjool Dates popping

Medjool Dates rotted = dead?

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