Dwarf Pygmy Baby Date Palm Seeds

 Phoenix roebelinii 

Gardeners seeking a palm tree specimen to accent the garden or home will want to know how to grow the pygmy date palm tree. Pygmy palm growing is relatively simple given suitable conditions, though pruning pygmy palm trees is sometimes necessary to keep its growth manageable, especially in smaller settings. Pygmy palm growing is used in a variety of interior settings and commercial plantings due to its graceful form and height of 6 feet. Pygmy Date Palm tree is a subtropical spreading palm that grows to 6.5 feet high and 5 feet wide. As an indoor plant, it will probably reach 5-6 feet tall. It has fine leaves, an attractive trunk and is suitable for using indoors in cooler climates. The drupes are produced on female plants and are edible. 

Pygmy Date Germination:

1) Soak in warm water for 72 hours, changing water daily.

2) Fill a 4" pot with 1/2 Vermiculite & 1/2 Coconut Fibers. Drizzle water onto the mixture until it feels completely saturated in the top 2 inches. Do not press or firm the growing mixture because this impairs the drainage ability of the mix.

3) Use a heated propagator to keep the temperature at 80 F during the day, dropping to 75 F at night.

4) Plant 3/4" deep & Spread a thin layer of medium-grit sand across the surface of the soil to prevent algae growth and to help regulate moisture loss and temperature. Make the sand layer no thicker than 1 centimeter.

5) Keep under a very bright light.

6) Keep damp with a spray bottle to keep the soil loose. Allow the top inch to dry out completely between watering to prevent moisture buildup; soggy soil can cause the seed to rot.

7) Watch for sprouting in 30 days, but don't be alarmed if it takes up to three months for the pygmy date palm seed to sprout. Remove the pot

 from the heating pad once the seed germinates. Water the seedling daily to a depth of 1/4-inch for the first week after sprouting.