Components of a Seed

• Understanding the parts of a seed may help you understand why water is so important. Inside every seed are the basic components of an adult plant. The seedling, also called the embryo, is surrounded by a material called endosperm that provides food for it as it germinates. An embryo has a small root system and two leaves called cotyledons. All of these delicate parts of the seed are protected by a seed coat.
  
  

Water and Germination

• Water is essential for all seed germination, not just palms. Picture a seed, sitting in the soil, waiting to germinate. Some seeds can wait for a long time before they sprout, and the reason is lack of water. Water generates a string of chemical reactions that start germination. The introduction of water to a seed is like a wake-up call. These chemical reactions help soften the seed coat so that the tender seedling can break through. Palm tree seeds must be submerged in water to soften their thick seed coats, which might otherwise prevent germination.
  
  

Germination Process

• Once water enters the seed coat an enzyme is activated that initiates cell growth and duplication. Getting the amount of water right for germination can be difficult. Too little water and the seed will never get its jump-start. Too much water will deplete much-needed oxygen in the soil. But if you get the right amount, your palm seedling will start to grow, eventually bursting through the softened seed coat. The seedling will straighten out as it grows but only if it is provided with enough water. Much of a plant's tissue is water, and this water provides its structure. That is why plants or young seedlings wilt when they aren't watered.
  
  

Germinating Palm Seeds

• According to the University of Florida, palm seeds can be slow to germinate. They often have thick, hard seed coats. To speed up the process before planting, soak your palm seeds in water for one to seven days. Change the water daily. Many palm tree seeds will also need to go through a process called scarification. This further degrades the integrity of the the seed coat, making germination more likely. Seeds can be rubbed with sandpaper or put in a rock tumbler with gravel.