Propagation
Plant fresh seeds in a deep container to 150mm (6in) deep during spring, keep moist and maintain a temperature of 19ş to 27şC. (66ş to 81şF).
Sporadic germination may take up to 2 months and, do not allow the seed to dry out before sowing.

Transplanting is difficult, avoid disturbing roots.


Botanic information
Leaf: The rounded costapalmate fronds are up to 3 m (10 ft) wide and divided up to one third with stiff tapering greyish-green segments.

The petiole is up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long and is covered in a waxy woolly material and splits the base where it attaches to the trunk. The margins of the petiole are armed with a few short spine-like teeth.

Flower: The inflorescence is up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long and is sheathed by several tubular bracts with an elongated peduncle. The male cluster is up to 230 mm (9 in) long with 4-7 rachillae. The flowers are in clusters 3, consisting of calyx with 3-lobes and 3-petals that are united at the base.

The female inflorescence is longer and the flowers appear solitary on a short stalk with 3-imbricate sepals and petals. They appear on a different plant (dioecious) during early summer.

Fruit: The globose-ovoid drupe is dry and fibrous tending brown when ripe. The flowering and fruiting period may vary in tropical regions.