Date Palm

Hi. I have 3 seeds from some dates we ate last week. I was wondering if they can be planted and if so, how, and is it worth it? The only info I can find is that they need to be soaked for a week.
I just can't resist free seeds.

 

Thanks for the very useful link MF - looks like it is possible to germinate and grow them after all. :D

 

I love the realistic tone of that link - particularly this bit.....

"Simply push any date seeds you happen to find a few centimetres into the growing medium of a larger potted plant and forget about them. This won't leaves you tending vacant little pots of soil for months on end, hoping to someday see a tiny sign of life. Next summer you may be pleasantly surprised to find a palm seed germinating in a pot where you had forgotten putting it. By forgetting about the seeds after planting, you are also spared any disappointment if the seeds were inviable from the start."

:D :D :D

 

Will definitely let you know if anything happens MF. :D I will put them into their own pot though as I would probably weed them out of another plant's pot :D

 

Blackthorn, you should find that fresh date seed/stones can germinate quickly within 3 weeks at 24c I put some in 3 years ago and are now in a 20 litre pot standing about 2/3ft high. They are not so bright green as the Canary Island Date Palm, more greyish. W

 

Blackthorn, you should find that fresh date seed/stones can germinate quickly within 3 weeks at 24c I put some in 3 years ago and are now in a 20 litre pot standing about 2/3ft high. They are not so bright green as the Canary Island Date Palm, more greyish. Worth a try but like all palms (although this is a fast germinator) you need patience to see a good size plant. I'll take a pic of mine tomorrow to give you an idea.

 

Thanks strongylodon - it's going in

 

This is how they 'could' look in three years.
I have had them in the polytunnel since xmas and will go outside in april.

 

When I said fresh I meant to say I left them to dry for a week or two. :rolleyes:

 

Those are fabulous plants strongy - I hope mine come out the same
As for allowing them to dry out it's too late I've sown them. Do you think I should lift them out and dry them for a coupla weeks or no?

 

Leave them and go and buy some more dates! :D