Lodoicea maldivica

	Lodoicea maldivica
	When European sailors recovered the first of these giant seeds floating in the Indian Ocean they were thought to be produced by plants growing below the sea. Later, their origin was believed to be the Maldives Islands south of India from where they got their name. Today, it is well known that a tall, sturdy fan palm with a thick trunk and stiff, costapalmate leaves, native only to two islands in the Seychelles, produces these gigantic nuts, the largest seed of any plant. The seeds are not very difficult to germinate. They produce a very long "sinker" that anchors the base of the palm and the first leaf deep into the soil. The first leaf takes many months to appear and subsequent growth is very slow. Despite these drawbacks, this palm has always been much sought after; but, viable seeds are in short supply. We are delighted to finally be able to offer these seeds at a very fair price.
	• Please enter the number of seeds that you wish to order in the "Quantity" field and click the button at the end of the page to go to the checkout. • Phytosanitary certificates or other declarations can be met for any destination. • Seeds are sent out fresh as soon as available. • Postage and packing not included. • Orders are accepted from all over the world. • All prices in US$. 1 US$ = ... (compare the most important currencies). • Orders for these seeds are handled separately.
	large seed US$ 450.00 Quantity:
	The seed in this category comes from a 1-seeded fruit and is large and perfectly shaped. It usually weighs between 9 and 11 kg (20 to 24 lbs). Expect about an additional $170 to $200 per seed for express shipping (FedEx) to the US, Europe or Asia directly from the Seychelles. Seeds ripen year round and are always shipped fresh off the tree right to your door within just a few days. They are packed in sturdy styrofoam boxes at no extra charge to insulate against cold and damage in transit. Viable Lodoicea seeds are temporarily unavailable due to an export ban from the Seychelles government. Until this ban is lifted we can only supply empty nuts, polished or natural. Empty nuts, natural or polished, are also available for display in Museums etc. They are sold at the same price but freight is much cheaper as they are hollow and lightweight. Please contact us for details. Exceptionally large nuts that can weigh up to 20 kg (44 lbs) are sometimes available. Please inquire for prices. Undersized and misshapen seeds may occasionally be available at discounted rates.

		For your security: The ordering process is encoded through our Secure Server

germination Seeds can be germinated in very large containers, at least 150 cm (5 ft.) tall, but are best sown directly in the ground in their final position outside. Chose a well protected spot with some canopy. Young plants do not like full sun and wind may severely damage their leaves. A humus-rich, acidic soil with perfect drainage is best. If your soil is not up to these requirements, please amend it accordingly. In a rocky, hard soil it is advisable to drill a large hole and refill with a mix of soil and well decomposed leaf mulch or compost. Place the nut on the ground with its flat side down, burying it only halfway, and cover the entire area with 10 cm (4 in.) of well decomposed leaf mulch. The temperature during germination should not fall below 24°C and not rise much above 32°C. Help with a heating cable or pad and/or thicker layers of leaf mulch to avoid extremes of temperature. The germinating nut should always be in shade. In a sunny location, use shade cloth. Keep the nut moist at all times but avoid a waterlogged soil. Check frequently under the mulch to make sure humidity levels are good. Germination of the worlds largest seed will take several months. The nut will produce a very long "sinker" that anchors the base of the palm and the first leaf deep down into the soil. The first shoot thus always grows down. If this should in rare occasions not be the case (for instance if the germination process has already started when you receive the seed), turn the seed around so the shoot can grow down into the soil. This massive "sinker" is very brittle and the nut should not be moved or disturbed after it has emerged. The "sinker" will form a large base and eventually split open along its side to produce the first shoot. The first leaf will take many months to appear above the ground. It will be very large, 2 to 4 square meters in size. Lodoicea grows very slowly and will take 30 to 40 years to reach maturity. Both male and female plants are required to produce fruits. Germination comments: Seeds from this species are... (...sorry, no comments yet.) • • • Share your germination experiences and enter to win US$50 worth of seeds. Click here! • • • Ratings and comments reflect individual experiences of our visitors. They are not necessarily valid for all seeds of this species. Germination success depends on many different factors. Nevertheless these experiences will hopefully aid you in your effort to get the best germination results from our seeds.

archive - glossary - frequently asked questions - contact us - terms of business - affiliate program © 1997 - 2005 rarepalmseeds.com - all rights reserved.