Palm seeds from Iraq

[knoxjd]

I am stationed here in what is suppose to be the garden of Eden in Iraq and there are several large palm forest, some with palms over 75 feet and some 6 ft in diameter, my question is on what kind of dates to pick up for planting some are all dried up and some have just fallen, and can I take the fruit off the seed or is it better to leave it on, I just need a leason in palm seeds in general so I dont pick up and mail seeds that want come up.
Thanks Later JD

[SurfCityPalms]

Thats awesome you collect the seeds yourself. I have germinated hundreds of palms, many different kinds, and the only time it ever works is when I collect the seeds myself; I have NEVER had luck germinating seeds I have purchased. The fact you are collecting them yourself insures you that they are fresh, which is the most important thing.

The size of the tree you are collecting from is not important. The fact the tree is producing actual seeds, not just flowing, means that it is mature. You want to collect the seed as late in the season as possible. If you can shake the seed pod and the seeds fall off, that is perfect. Sometimes you may need to pull on the seed a little, but you should never have to yank the seed from the cluster. I haved also sometimes picked up seeds that have recently fallen from a tree, but make sure to pick up the feashly fallen ones.

Removing the fruit from the seeds is recommended but not necessary, but if you can do it easily, like on a date, then i would remove it. The fruit is what rotts and you risk your seed rotting as well, so i always try to remove it as long as i can without damaging the seed itself.

I hope this helps you,

Jerod
SurfCityPalms

[SurfCityPalms]

I got your seeds and they are already have been preped for germination! I'll let you know how it goes and get you that med fan.