Oh where to start... So I live in Horseheads, NY and wanted to mess around with trying to grow a palm tree.. So after a week or so of searching the internet up and down, it seems as if everyone says that the windmill palm is the best for colder climates. So I went on ebay and bought 10 seeds, I believe they came from florida (hope thats not a big issue). So when they got here, I instantly soaked them in water. I split the seeds into groups (very weird, just not sure what to do) of 5, 5 of them I had soak in hot to warm water, and 5 soaked in a cold water. After a lil more than 24 hours, I took them out, dried them and tried to scrape anything I could of it with my fingernail, because I read alot about a coating that they have.. some of them I couldnt get anything off, and some scraped off into a nice light brown color.. So I read on some websites that vermiculite was a good thing to use to help the seed get going, so I bought some of that, and two small plastic containers, and placed 5 seeds in one, and 5 seeds in another. The one that I soaked with hot water I keep up in my room (upstairs, recently been hot and humid) and the other one is kept in my basement, where its been very cool, probably in the lower 60's F. The issue is I think I might have placed a little too much water in my vermiculite, but wasnt sure. I started both containers to the point that the vermiculite was wet, but not soaked. But as I read on, I saw that the vermiculite should be dry to the touch, so I changed the vermiculite in the hot container, and placed only a little water in it. Now it has only been about a week, but boy I cant wait for something to grow from them so I can plant them. But as I check on the seeds, I dont know if it the vermiculite stuck to the seeds or what, but it almost seems like theres some green on it, maybe mold, which scares me. So not sure what to do from here. I know its too early for the seeds and that they'll take time, but I really have no experience with growing anything, so anything can help! Thanks!
These palms grow best with fresh seed, usually available in February or March. Beyond that they lose viabilty and within 2 years it's difficult to get any to germinate. Do you know how fresh your seed was? The hardiest palms (and seed) grow in the coolest zones. Florida certainly wouldn't rate as an area to harvest the most cold hardy seed, unless the seed house brought them in from somewhere else. The easiest is with fresh seed grown in a moderately damp peat and perlite mix, in a zip lock bag (70f). These can begin germinating in a week or so under these conditions. If the seed wasn't fresh, a soak such as you've done is recommended. I've grown many thousands of seed using this method. Cheers, LPN.
hmm.. the ebay auction said: All of Tropical Seed Imports seeds are hand picked and cleaned. Each purchase comes with detailed planting instructions. Our seeds are of the highest quality available!!! So from here, what would be a good thing to do? Should I switch the seeds to a peat and perlite mix or keep them how they are? Maybe since I do have two containers going, I would take the mix that is in my basement, and change those seeds with the peat and perlite, and leave the mix upstairs with the vermiculite. Ideas? Thanks!!!!