Sabal Minor

[Alchris]

One of the sabals that germinated for me has yet to send out a leaf after several months. The root remains healthy and it pushes the seed up out of the soil. I have added soil to the container twice and now there is no more room to add any more. The container is over 5" tall and I am guessing that the root is over 4" long. I am concerned that the root will eventually die if it doesn't leaf out. I will be repotting it into a taller pot if it breaks the surface again.

None of the other sabals has delayed sending up a shoot or pushed the seed out of the soil. The seeds all looked the same when I started them. Any suggestions on how I can get the seed to send up a shoot?

Allen

[Knnn]

Some of the ones I've grown were slower than others to push up their first spear. Developed a pretty good root system before any top growth was evident. ( The seedling pictured is after 1st leaf emerged )

Don't worry about the seed pushing up, That is normal. If you keep adding soil you run the risk of burying the emerging spear too deep.

Good Luck with it !

Edit: This one was the slowest and came out of a 6" container, Pretty sure it bottomed out before it even attempted any top growth. Not sure if this helps, Some are just slow ~ If anyone knows how to speed these up let me know too

[Alchris]

Thanks. I feel more comfortable. I know that it is only a palm seedling but it seems more like a child.

Allen

[Kansas]

Steve, just looked today and the third one you gave me just started it's second leaf. So now all three have a third leaf.
Of everything I got from you, I would have to say that the Palmettos were my favorite as they are the State tree of Florid and I love Florida. I am obssesed with wanting to live there. I dream about it every night and people are sick of me talking about it.

[Knnn]

One other thing that will sometimes help speed up development is to "lift" the seed from the bed. This technique is usefull to containerize palms that send down deep roots,( Hyphaene, Bismarkia, etc). I have not tried this on any Sabals but it works for some species.

Basically it involves lifting the seed up until the nodule which the leaf spear emerges from is just below the surface.( refer to picture). The seed can then be propped or tied up until spent .

Just thought I would pass that on, I can relate to how you feel towards your palms, It is the same motive that compelled me to use $200.00 in materials to provide Winter protection to a Robusta that could be replaced for $18.00

Kansas ~ I would love to bump my zone up several notches, ( As well as most others here I'm sure,) Not sure if I could get used to the occasional hurricanes tho.


~ Steve