One of the most popular Palmidae species is the Foxtail Palm, also known as the Spring Egg Palm. These plants are native to Australia, but are now widespread in many other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They grow best when they are grown under a variety of conditions, including shade, well-drained soil and full sunlight. The seeds, which are round, oval or can become barbed, need to be sowed in thick weed mats or compost. Palm seeds are very resilient, but care needs to be taken to ensure they germinate properly.
How to Germinate Foxtail Palm Seeds. The first step in ensuring your seeds germinate properly is to get them started. Planting them directly into the garden will require some planning, and you should take good care not to compact the seedlings too much. The best way to start is with about twelve inches of space in the container, and make sure there are no obstacles in the way. Planting the seeds directly into the garden will result in little or no growth for about four weeks, while the seedlings begin to form their root networks.
Once the seeds have begun to sprout, it is important to keep them under control. Moisture and warmth are their enemies. A good watering canner should work just fine for these seeds. There are two different watering systems that are available. The first involves waiting for the seeds to sprout and then watering right after. The second requires constant watering until the seedlings appear to have stopped growing.
Once the seedlings are large enough, they are ready to be weaned into the more traditional growing conditions. This will usually happen within twelve days. If they are kept in the same container, there will be fewer problems with overcrowding. Some prefer to place them on trays in their pots, others in the upper area of a window, others on kitchen windowsills, and others in baskets on their balconies. They are equally at home in hanging baskets and pots.
Most seedlings like to have a full day of sunlight, and a half day if possible. This will promote their strong roots. As they grow, they will produce sprouts which will continue to feed the existing seedlings. This cycle continues until the seedlings are ready to be weaned into the garden. If this is not happening within twelve days, the roots should be separated from the seedlings.
While growing palms in containers, it is important to provide them with everything they need for proper growth. The majority of seedlings require eight hours of light, but there are some that do better in six or seven hour light periods. It is best to use three or four containers of soil instead of one, because the seedlings will all get similar conditions. These conditions should also be maintained during the summer months. If the seedlings are not kept warm, they will begin to rot, especially if they are not properly watered.
When you have successfully weeded out the seedlings, you may want to separate the groups. Transfer them into their own separate pots and place them in a dark location. They should receive regular feedings to promote new growth. You can check them periodically for maturity, by pulling gently on the branches to see if the seedlings are turning dark.
To avoid stressing the seedlings, it is best to leave the seedlings in their pots for about a month or longer. If the weather changes and there is no sun to encourage growth, you can repot them. It is also important to keep the palm protected during extreme temperatures, as it is susceptible to damage from frost.
