10 Phoenix Dactylifera Seeds Date Palms Arecaceae Tree Perennial Palm Trees 823

Phoenix
dactylifera Seeds

Common name: Date Palm

Species: Phoenix dactylifera

Scarification/Stratification: No

Hardiness Zones: 9-11

Germination:

Description:

The date palm belongs to
the ARECACEAE family and is native to North Africa – exactly where is indeterminable.
This is a spectacular palm for landscaping large areas. The Phoenix Dactylifera
palm is the “true” date palm from which the tasty fruit is obtained.
This is a dioecious, multi-stemmed palm from which the suckers are usually
removed to create single stemmed specimens. Trimmed in this manner, the date
palm will grow to heights of 100 ft (45.7 m). The rough, broad, gray trunk is
patterned with diamond-shaped leaf scars and is up to 16 inches in diameter.
The large greenish or bluish gray pinnate leaves are typically 18-20 ft
(5.5-6.1 m) long by 2 ft (0.6 m) wide. They are arranged in a thick canopy up
to 40 feet wide. The palm has hundreds of stiff leaflets which gives it an airy
appearance. The leaflets are 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) long and are arranged in
V-shape ranks that run the length of the leaf stem. The ones near the base are
modified into sharp 3-4 in (7.6-10.2 cm) spines. The old leaf bases remain
attached to the trunk further enhancing the rugged beauty of the palm. In this
and related species of Phoenix, the un-branched stem is covered with persistent
leaf bases. The yellow orange to red fruit, called ‘dates’, are oblong and
about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in length. They consist of a large, pointed seed
surrounded by sweet sugary flesh that takes six to seven months to develop this
taste. Dates are formed from flowers on 4 ft (1.2 m) inflorescences that emerge
from among the leaves in spring. Male and female flowers grow on separate
plants. Only the female plants produce dates and only if a male tree is nearby.
After the fruits have begun to grow, the fruit-bearing stalks are pulled down
through the leaves and tied to the midrib of a lower leaf, to prevent breakage
as the fruits increase in weight. Dates are harvested carefully by hand because
the fruits mature at different times over the period of a month. Certain dates
(dry dates) are left on the plant until the entire inflorescence of fruits is
ripe, and then the whole structure is cut. The dates may be eaten immediately
or stored to dry. Raising dates is labor intensive because plants must be
climbed six to eight times per year. Dead leaves and their associated spines
must be removed from the stem, sometimes several times, but green leaves often
are not removed because they provide sugar for the fruits. Generally, a person
climbs a tree, grabs the female inflorescence, cuts off the top one-third of
the female stalks, inserts a male sprig, and then ties the female structure
shoot with string. Thinning of the female encourages the development of fewer but
larger dates. It is extremely important to use the proper male pollen, because,
as in maize, the male strongly influences the color, sweetness, and time of
ripening of the fruit. Dates are not formed in climates that are too cool. When
grown in humid tropical climates like Florida, the fruit tends to be of low
quality often dropping from the tree before ripening. Oh yeah, dates taste
great too – yum! DATES ARE THE CANDY THAT GROWS ON TREES! Hardiness zones: 9 –
11 (-5c/25f, 4c/40f). The Phoenix Dactylifera palm is not particular about the
soil and will even grow in poor ones. It prefers to be in full sun. Although it
is a drought resistant desert plant, the date palm has deep roots that
typically seek out subterranean water sources. Provide regular irrigation for a
better look and faster growth. The date prefers dry, hot climates, because date
fruits are injured at temperatures of 20 degrees F, and the damp climate is not
favorable for fruit production. Prune the suckers annually to create single
trunk specimens.

Store Policies

All seeds will come in a resalable
plastic zip lock bag wrapped in a protectant, so the seeds are not damaged by
shipping machines. All seed packets contain no fillers or other weeds or seeds
mixed in. Most have been harvested by hand & all test at a high germination
rate.

Seed Count

All seed counts should be considered estimates as the seeds is
packaged by hand, there is 2-3 more or less in a bag. We do our best to
ensure accuracy and will often add extra seeds. However, all estimates are
final.

Shipping

Seeds will ship without tracking numbers. Items
will be shipped 1-3 business days of receiving payment. Plants will be shipped
via USPS. Shipping usually takes anywhere from 3-5 days. 

Feedback

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fix the problem as soon as possible.

Important! Please Read!

All seeds have been test sown to ensure germination.
Please familiarize yourself with growing conditions and instructions for your
seeds before you plant them, as all seeds are different. Basic growing
instructions can be found under each listing.

We Cannot Guarantee how much you will be able
to grow, as too many variables come into play, soil condition, your ability to
garden, weather etc. I guarantee that they arrive as described and are in good
viable condition and the germination rates are accurate.