Non-usual sowings

[kenkew]

Anyone sowing anything out of the norm?
I'm trying Job's Tears for the first time. Had a heck of a job getting hold of the seed but it looks like they're doing something at last.

[kenkew]

[Roy Bham UK]

Not recently but have a few Sub-Tropical seedlings moving slowly, like...

Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm),


Phoenix caneriensis (Canary Island Date Palm)


and Washingtonia fulifera (American cotton palm)

[Charlotte Sometimes]

Hey Roy

I was given some Trachycarpus f seeds for Xmas.  Any tips for germination?  Is it a job for my heated propogator?  btw My window sills seem to be good enough for aubs and chillies (handy radiators underneath!).

[Deleted]

Currently growing Giant American Redwood trees! Currently the Giant Size of 2" tall!! Aim to have own forest by 2105.

[Mrs Ava]

 ;D Dawn.  I will picnic in their shade with you.  ;D

Acer palmatum, acacia, banksia and some other Australian and South African plants, which of course are downstairs and I cannot remember their names!!

[kenkew]

Beats the hell out of my carrot tops in saucers of water!

[Roy Bham UK]

Hey Roy

I was given some Trachycarpus f seeds for Xmas.  Any tips for germination?  Is it a job for my heated propogator?  btw My window sills seem to be good enough for aubs and chillies (handy radiators underneath!).

Hi Charlotte ;) This is what I do...

Soak the seeds in a warm place for 24 hours, don’t forget to change the water several times during this period, clean the seeds making sure there is no hair or fleshy bits on them. :D

Place some sterile (Microwave? ???) seed compost  in a plastic bag or Tupperware type box thingy ::) and seal with the compost being barely moist, oh and don’t forget (as I just did) and put the seeds in the container, store ideally in an airing cupboard keeping an eye on them every few days.

They need to be kept warm to around 28°C to 32°C if you manage to get a root place in a pot of 50/50 grit and compost return to the warm cupboard or warm kitchen until a shoot appears and let nature do the rest. 8)

Good luck, Roy ;D

[mark_h]

does bamboo seeds count as out of the norm?  If so, I'm waiting for seeds of 2 species of Phyllostachys to arrive.

Mark

[Roy Bham UK]

does bamboo seeds count as out of the norm?  If so, I'm waiting for seeds of 2 species of Phyllostachys to arrive.

Mark

I would say yes ;D as seeds of bamboo are quite rare as bamboos don't flower that often in some cases not for a hundred years :o and then when they do flower they usually die (I believe?) Where on earth did you find your seeds Mark?

Here's Phyllostachys Vivax Mc Clure I bought 3 years ago it was half this size then, in fact only last year I split it into three and gave two clumps to family. 8)

[Charlotte Sometimes]

Thanks Roy.  Just to clarify, when you put the seed in the compost, do you cover it with compost or lay them on the surface till you see it sprout?  I might add the instructions with my seed are in French... tres amusent...pas!

By the way, your plants are gorgeous.  You must be very proud!

[Roy Bham UK]

Hi Charlotte, Mon plaisir, ;D Depending on the method you decide, ie. Lunch box place seed on an inch of compost, sprinkle compost to cover seed, it should raise its head when on the move. Baggy method gently shake or maneuver medium to get a look at what is going on.

As Tim said in an earlier thread, “I really think that folk chase the ideal too much”. I have had success putting palm seed in pots and leaving them in the airing cupboard until they shoot. ;)

There is a link below that gives greater detail but you may not want a 100% germination as these little palms grow into big palms even in the UK. :o
http://www.palms.org/principes/1999/palmseeds.htm

These are growing in Saint Mawes Cemetery in Cornwall.


P.S. Thanks for the kind words ;)

[mark_h]

Roy,
       I found the seeds at Chiltern Seeds - click on the link and scroll down to Phyllostachys
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/default.asp?mt=Category&senc=CBBXBIECBXBC

Mark

[Roy Bham UK]

Mark, I don't know if you are aware but Phyllostachys are runners :o and need to be contained unless you have a very big garden they will invade your neighbours garden too.  :o

I have mine in very large heavy duty plastic tubs sunk in the ground, here's a useful link...
http://www.booshootgardens.com/species/running.cfm

[mark_h]

Roy,
      I have been doing some reading and my intention is to keep them in large pots.     I hope to have quite a few species eventually and arrange the pots in such a way that it forms a little 'tunnel' that the kids can walk through.

Mark

[TULIP-23]

Roy ;)

Fantastic Plants Roy apart from Veggies....is this your Hobby!! Exotic Plants

Interesting Website too Roy

[Roy Bham UK]

Hi Mike, ;) Yes I do dabble in the more tender type plants, pushing the boundaries so to speak, but allottmenteering is my latest hobby so my tropical plants and exotic fish have taken a back seat. :-\ ;D

[TULIP-23]

Still Roy
Two Fine Hobbies to boot 8)

[crackintackle]

Not sure if this qualifies, but I recently planted up some Bird of Paradice seed from my garden in Malta.  They grow like blazes out there, but I want to try them here in my London 'burb.

Soaked them for 24 hrs, and planted in sand - they now reside in the airing cupboard.  I understand they can take between 3 and 6 months to germinate!

If anyone has experience of these I'd love any tips.  I intend to have them in the conservatory (if they ever grow!).

Cheers

[Mrs Ava]

Ooo Crackintackle, I have a monster in my conservatory whose flower is just begining to fade, after opening around Christmas time!  Such good value flowers!!!  I also have a dozen different seedlings residing on my conservatory windowsill.  I soaked them and they germinated quickly, almost 100% germination also.  Wonderful plants indeedy.  Good luck with them.

p.s.  why oh why would you leave Malta for this wet and windy place??

[crackintackle]

Emma Jane

Hurrah, it is music to my ears that I may be lucky with these seeds.  They are just finishing in Malta too.   I have a massive seed pod from a large cactus that grows in the islands, although I have no idea what they are called.

I really love this wet and windy place - well, most of the time.  I spend a few months a year in Malta. I have a dear neighbour who waters my garden for me, so I try not to take advantage.  I tried putting it on a timer, but Malta has regular power and water 'switch-offs', so it would all go Pete Tong anyway.

I am really chuffed that you have these in your conservatory Emma Jane.

Thanks