Palm | Kelapa Sawit

The method of germinating Kentia Palm seed is fairly universal, but as a grower who produced Kentia seedlings for export worldwide it took a number of years to eventually develop the art of producing a high viability germinated rate from seed planted.

Once I picked or purchased my seed for planting I dried it out on a concrete floor in a garage or shed for about four weeks prior to planting.This method of drying turns the husk of the seeds brown and assists to dissapate some of the seeds moisture content. Drying seed in advance of planting can hasten the germination by as much as two months.

Earlier in my years of planting Kentia seed I use to plant the seed in raised wooden beds. This way of planting was not very good as and ideal growing temperatures could not be maintained. After visiting the Lord Howe Island Kentia Nursery and the Blom's Kentia Palm growing facility in Aalsmeer in the Netherlands I observed that the best way to germinate Kentia seed was by planting Kentia seed in individual boxes. I used either a polystryene box, a flute corrugated plastic box or a 20 litre plastic tub.

The planting medium most favorable for germinating Kentia seed is a mixture of 60% peat and 40% perlite or coco peat, a natural fibre made from coconut husks. The planting boxes or tubs are lined with a clear plastic bag. About four to five inches of medium is placed in the bag-lined box. Scatter the dried seed evenly over the medium and then cover the seed with about two inches of medium. I would then lightly spray the top of the medium with a fungicide/insecticide solution, tie the plastic bag with a twist tie and put the box lid on.