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Seed to Seedling
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Seed to Seedling
From harvest to homes and gardens




From Seed to Seedling
The operation of the Kentia Nursery

COLLECTING SEEDS
Only Island residents with at least 5years’ experience in the collection of seed are permitted to harvest the seed from native stands of mature Kentia Palms.  All seed is collected in a responsible and sustainable manner to ensure re-generation of the native Kentia forests continue.

 Seed collectors, locally referred to as “seeders”,  have experience to be able to distinguish ripeness and quality of seed and also know the boundaries of areas to collect from.

 “Seeders” maintain trees they climb by removing any excess build up of fibre or leaves in the tops of the trees.  This will discourage vermin and pests.  These skills have been passed down from one generation to the next as most “seeders” are descendants of the original settlers who have performed this task for over a century.

 The combined experience of the “seeders” and the Lord Howe Island Board guarantees that only mature, ripe viable seed is harvested and this ensures that all seedlings produced are always of the highest quality.

 A  QUALITY PROCESS
All seed collected is “shelled” into bags.  “Shelled” means the seed is removed from the “seed stem”.

The bags are then delivered to the nursery where they are measured (seed is measured into bushels) and each bushel represents approximately 4600 seeds and weighs around 30KG.  The seeders are paid on the amount of bushels collected.

In this process, the seed will also receive a code number.  This number is a vital part of the ISO 9002:2000 quality systems and the number will remain with the seed until it has germinated and forms a traceability path for the product.

GERMINATION, PACKING AND EXPORT
Once the seeds are measured they are placed into boxes to dry for a short period.  Once dry, the seed is then planted into boxes of a pasteurized media of peat moss and perlite.

 The planter boxes are lined with a plastic bag in which media and approximately 300 seeds are placed and the plastic bag is sealed at the top.  Planted boxes will then go into “Igloos” or green houses.

Germination will take at least 8 months and then will continue on for around another 12 months.

Harvested or picked seedlings are sorted into their grades or sizes as they are being picked.  All seedlings are then quantified, washed clean and then go through a mild fungicide dip to ensure they are fully sanitized, and certified free of pests and disease. 

In the final stage they are packed into plastic lined cardboard export boxes holding approximately 2000 seedlings and are now ready for export worldwide.

These lengths may seem extreme, especially when you consider Lord Howe Island’s isolation already means it is free from most known palm pests and pathogens and because the Lord Howe Island Board also bans the importation of any other palm species or palm products onto the Island. 

However, experience has shown that these precautions have resulted in a strong vigorous growing plant with established roots and stems, completely free of pests or disease.

Within one day of this process, the palms will be flying to nurseries all over the world.  And, thanks to the speed of modern transport, Lord Howe Island Kentia Palm seedlings are available for replanting within a week of being picked.