palmetto/palm trees

Here in Columbia, the palmetto trees have bloomed and are producing seeds. Has anyone tried to plant them? Are they hard to germinate? Slow-growing? Any helpful hints? I haven't been able to find anything on the internet, and even Clemson Extension has not been able to tell me anything. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Laura

You might want to call or email Gary at gary'snursery.com. He's better at talking on the phone than he is at responding to emails. His staff is knowledgable, too.

Also, this site seems to have a lot of information about germinating palm seeds, but I've never tried it.

http://junglemusic.net/palmadvice/palms-seed-germination.htm

Entlie

The Palmettos are terrible weeds around here. Although they germinate quickly you can not imagine how slow growing they are. It actually takes years to get much more than a small spear or two out of the ground. The root or base develops first then after several years the fronds start to show. They are still small, under 24" but it is the devil to try and transplant them because of that extensive root. After that they grow about 6" per year.
The Butias (Jelly Palms) are much more "grower friendly" and you can actually get a reasonably sized plant within a few years from some of their orange fruit.

You really can't transplant palmettos and growing from seed is a slow process. If you want to put palmettos somewhere out of the way just to fill up some space, go a head but if you want one for show just buy one.

I had 2 once. People are growing them around here . I had lots of snakes around the things and rats. Any one else had this experience,so I am trying another palm now.

Lavina

We had rats in Pampas Grass and the rats attracted the snakes so I shovel pruned that stuff quickly! No problems with the Palmettos that I am aware of.
alice

p.s. I am grateful the snakes cleaned up the rats but my gratefulness only goes so far. LOL

My pampas grass has cats who like to sleep in them. Never seen a rat or snake anywhere near them. LOL. Cats have scared me though, if you get to close to them the cats jump out grass and runs for it. I just can't get use to that even though I know the cats hang out in there.

Thanks. I'm glad to see this much information. The website that you sent, Entlie, was excellent. And I'm interested in the orange-fruited trees, since that's what I'm seeing here. I called Clemson Extension Service but they didn't know much about growing them from seeds either and told me that some one had called to ask if the orange seeds were edible. That's one thing that I never thought of doing! Rats and snakes do nothing for me--maybe they like the fruit? Who knows? Anyway, I'm still game to try germination. Maybe I'll have plants for my future grandchildren if nothing else!
Laura

Tsk Ardesia, bad mouthing our state tree. Lol. To be honest I feel the same way.

X

My cat keeps nibbling on the palmetto seedlings that Ardesia sent. She loves them. I hope there will be something left to grow! I suppose I should spray red pepper vinegar on them or something. I'm afraid she may eat faster than they grow. I have planted seeds too just to see if they will sprout and how long it will take. Not holding my breath, though.

Plenty more where they came from. :-))))))

Ardesia,
Two of the seedlings are still fine! I knew I still had one that seemed to have made it, and just found the second one yesterday. I forgot where I had planted it, so I got a pleasant surprise when I realized what it was. So I'll be really watching them this spring and summer.
Laura

So glad the cat left a few for you. I have plenty more and the next time I get up to Columbia I'll bring you some.

I'm not familiar with any Palmetto that gets orange fruit, landerlily---at least mine don't! I have both Sabal palmetto and Sabal minor growing on the property, but none have ever produced "orange fruit". Now the Butia capitata (Jelly Palm, Pindo Palm) I have produces tons of orange fruit! You sure you got the right Palm? (I failed both the "palms" and the "Ferns" parts of my horticultural education, so who am I to say?), but it sounds like you may be shooting at the wrong target. Look into Butia capitata, not the Sabals...Think ardesia mentioned this earlier---I second the motion!

This message was edited Mar 2, 2007 11:02 PM