Madagascar Palm Tree Seeds
(Pachypodium geayi)
"RARE"
The Madagascar Palm Tree (Pachypodium gaeyi) is a Bizarre & Beautiful Species from Southwest Madagascar. One of the Tree-like Species. It Makes a Bold Statement when Planted in the Landscape & Works Equally as Well as Patio or Houseplant. It Strongly Resembles Cereiform Cacti, with Highly Succulent, Cylindrical Stems Armed with "Sharp Spines." P. geayi is Very Rare & Often Confused with the More Common Pachypodium lamerei, but is Easily Distinguished by Having Thinner Leaves Accented with a Prominent Midrib of a Different Color than the Rest of the Leaf and in the Hairs which Adorn the Young Branches & Leaves. P. geayi is One of the Largest of the Madagascar Species and is Regarded as More Decorative than Pachypodium lamerei. Pachypodium geayi is Fairly Easy to Grow both Indoors, as Well as Outdoors in Warm Climates and Can Grow at about 4 inches a year. In the winters it is deciduous, except in very tropical areas. It is a magnificent form/accent plant. It has a smooth, silver trunk, covered with half inch long stout spines. When not dormant, it is crowned with long, narrow, dark green leaves with undulating margins and a red mid-vein. Mature landscape specimens will bloom profusely. The flowers are large, white with yellow throat, sweet scented.
Outdoors Zones 9-11~In Cooler Climates, Bring Indoors before the First Frost.
Madagascar Palm Germination:
1) Use a thermos to soak seeds in 86 degree water for 24 hours. Do not use "chlorinated water" (Distilled is Optimal)
2) Sterilize Cactus Starting Soil Mix by putting it, and the "bottom draining stones or pebbles in the microwave for 3 mins. ( In oven, 45 degrees set at 350 )
3) Use small stones or pebbles in the bottom of containers or treys. Fill 3/4" to the top. Water & let drain well. Cover with 1/2" of sand. Use a sprayer to mist until moist.
4) Place seeds "horizontally" onto the layer of sand, then cover with no more than 1/4" of sand, and moisten it with the sprayer.
5) It is extremely important for germination to use a humidity dome, or cover with a piece of plastic to retain moisture & keep high humidity.
6) It is also extremely important to use a heated propagator mat to keep the soil at 75-78 degrees F.
7) "Patience is Needed" While a few may sprout within 5 days, most can sprout at anytime all the way up to 6 months as they have very erratic germination rates very similar to other tropical & exotic seeds. One by one, as they sprout, remove the seedling from the humidity dome or covered plastic, being sure to keep them out of direct sunlight for 2 months. Simply cover the rest again until 90% of them sprout.