Windmill Palm - flowers or seeds?

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Jun 05, 2007 7:14 pm

Our Trachycarpus fortunei flowered again this year. I'd like to gather some of the seeds & try to germinate them, but I've never tried it before.

My first question - what are we looking at in the picture? Are these the flowers or are they the actual seeds?

Second question - when should I gather the seeds?

Gruntfuttock · Post by **Gruntfuttock** » Jun 08, 2007 8:27 am

They look to me like spent flowers developing seeds. The seeds when ripe look like a brown acorn... I think.

whis4ey · Post by **whis4ey** » Jun 08, 2007 8:55 am

I am told the seeds are ready for picking when they turn black
Whether or not they will germinate will depend on whether your tree is male or female (so I am told)

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Jun 08, 2007 7:05 pm

Sam,

Thanks for mentioning that - I've just checked on the Internet & discovered that Windmill Palms are, as you say, either male or female, so you need one of each to get viable seeds. The nearest others are about a quarter of a mile away, so I guess there isn't much chance that the seeds from ours will be any good.

Bert