Palm tree seeds are one of the most popular ways to create oneself a lovely tropical oasis. Whether you are a novice grower or an experienced gardener, palm tree seeds will bring a wonderful touch of greenery to any home or garden. Not only do they bring a unique look to a landscape, but can provide shade for those hot summer months. There are many places that one can obtain palm tree seeds in order to enjoy the beauty of the tropical paradise.
One of the most popular places to purchase palm tree seeds is from a nursery. Nurseries not only provide customers with a wide selection of palm tree seeds, but can also offer help on which seed is ideal for the climate one lives in. Furthermore, purchasing from a nursery ensures that the seeds are of good quality and have a high chance of germinating. Additionally, when dealing with a nursery, the customer can actually see some of the trees that can potentially be grown and test their quality.
Another great source to obtain palm tree seeds is the internet. Due to the enormous global market available, one can easily find palm tree seeds of a variety of types. There are also many websites that offer palm tree seed advice as well. Additionally, one can buy single packs as well as bulk packages of palm tree seeds when shopping online. Similarly, buying seeds online is often cheaper than buying from a nursery as there are retailers who are looking to provide the customer with the best price.
Collecting the seeds from a store-bought palm tree is also an option, although not very reliable. The success rate with collected palm tree seeds is quite low, due to the difficulty in knowing their maturity and viability.
Since palm tree seeds are increasingly getting popular, one can now even find them in commercial stores such as Home Depot. However, it should be noted that similar to collected palm tree seeds, buying from these stores is also not the most reliable option as the trees may not have been stored correctly, thus having their viability weakened. Furthermore, it should be noted that purchasing from Home Depot is often more expensive than buying from other outlets such as nurseries or online.
Finally, another place to find quality palm tree seeds is from a friend or local collector. It is very likely that someone living in tropical climates such as Florida, the Caribbean, and some areas of the Pacific will have a few mature palm trees. Seeds are simple to collect, and cost free. Additionally, the quality of the seed is often better since the collector will know the exact age and maturity of the seeds.
Germinating Palm Tree Seeds
The art of successfully germinating a palm tree seed is something that will require some patience. Before a seed can be successfully germinated, it must first be boiled for thirty minutes. Once the steaming process has been completed, the seed should then be soaked in distilled water at room temperature for approximately 48 hours.
The next step is to fill a shallow container with a mixture of equal parts sand and equal parts soil. The seed should then be placed in the soil and lightly covered. This container should then be placed somewhere warm, such as a greenhouse or sunny window, to ensure the seeds remain warm and moist. The soil can then be kept moist in order for the palm tree to germinate properly. It should be noted that it is often best to not water the parent plant from which the seed came from as this can cause root rot.
After the germination process has completed, the seedlings can be transplanted into pots and grown under bright, indirect sunlight. It is important to note that if the seed does not germinate within two months, it may be discarded as likely it is dead.
Caring for Palm Trees
Once the seedling has developed into a mature seedling it will require specific care in order to promote healthy growth and general well-being. When planting the seedling in the garden, it is best to plant it in well-draining soil and in a sunny location. Palms do best when watered daily, although too much water can lead to fungal growth, thus it should be noted to not over-water palm trees.
In order to combat fungal disease, one can mix neem oil with water and spray it on the entire palm tree. Neem oil helps to eliminate and prevent fungal growth and will ensure the health of the palm tree. Fertilizer should also be used in order to promote healthy growth. Palms do well with a citrus fertilizer every two to four weeks, making sure to avoid excess nitrogen which can cause the tree to grow too fast and become damaged in the winds.
Types of Palm Trees
When it comes to planting palm trees from seeds, it is important to know one’s climate in order to know what types of palm trees can be planted. Palm trees that are best suited for cooler climates are date palms, kentia palms, and parlor palms. In tropical climates, one can attempt to grow coconut palms, pindo palms, and foxtail palms. Of course, when unsure of what types of palms one can plant, it is best to talk to a local nursery or expert who can provide assistance.
Easily Obtainable
As one can see, obtaining palm tree seeds is a relatively simple process. There are many sources by which one can purchase quality palm tree seeds for one’s garden or home. Whether one chooses to buy from a nursery or online, the price range for palm tree seeds remains quite reasonable. Although succcessfully germinating a palm tree from a seed can be quite difficult, it is certainly not an impossible task. With a little patience and knowledge, one can easily revel in the gorgeous foliage of the palm tree.
Planting in Containers
It is possible to plant and maintain a palm tree in a container if the proper steps are taken. Allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings and using a quality potting mix that is rich in organic matter are some of the best ways to ensure proper growth. As palm trees are quite large, it is best to use a large pot in order to give the palm room to grow. In addition, a quality fertilizer should be used every two months, making sure to only apply a mild dose to avoid over-fertilization.
Pruning
It is recommended to prune a palm tree once a year to ensure proper growth and health. Pruning helps to improve air circulation and light penetration which allows a palm tree to grow larger and healthier. The removal of unproductive or dead fronds will provide the tree with more growing energy which will enhance the tree’s appearance. It should be noted that one should always use clean pruning tools and always wear gloves. If the tree has suffered storm damage, one should call in a professional to prune it in order to ensure that it is pruned correctly.
Harvesting
In order to obtain the potential seeds of a palm tree, it is best to wait until the fruit of the tree has ripened and fallen off the tree. When one has located the individual fruits, they should then be placed in an airtight container and stored in a cool, dry place. When these fruits are ready to harvest, one can then easily breakdown the outer shell and get access to the seeds inside. Each fruit is likely to contain two or three seeds, and once harvested, can be used for planting, although it should be noted that the success rate of germination from harvested palm tree fruits is often quite low.
