Sago seed germination

20 years ago

I recently collected some sago seeds from a female plant growing in Northern Florida. I am aware that the female flowers need to be pollinated by a male cone and that this is usually done artificially by man. I was however under the impression that unfertilized seeds would be small in size and float. The seeds I have are dense and large sized. I soaked them for several days and removed the red husks. I dissected one of the seeds to look for an embryo and could not find one, just lots of starchy endosperm. What are the odds that these seeds were pollinated if not done artificially? Do unfertilized seeds still sink in water and have large size? Do the seeds need to be aged before the embryo would develop large enough to see? I just don't want to take the effort to sow unfertilized seeds. Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Comments (3)

jetstream
20 years ago
This years seeds aren't ready to be picked yet. They wont be ready until the fall...and they should be planted the following June. Are the ones you picked leftovers from last fall? If so, then they're ready to be planted now. Just bury them half way in potting soil...keep moist and warm anfd they should sprout within a month or two...good luck...Z
cannaz
Original Author
20 years ago
They are from the previous year. I am just concerned that they were not pollinated and thus are not viable. I guess my question is: is it possible for the female plant to produce good looking seed even if not pollinated by a male cone?
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jetstream
20 years ago
Sounds like they should be ok then. Unpollenated seeds will be small, undeveloped and kind of shrivelled up looking. Sagos do not need to be hand pollenated...with males out numbering females 10 to 1, it happens naturally. A viable seed is about 1 inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches long, after cleaning. If they rattle a little, they are starting to dry, so soak them and they should be ok. If they feel heavy and solid for there size, they should be good...so plant away.

I don't even bother to clean mine, I just place them on the ground out back, cover with a little compost and a few leaves and let nature take its course...Z