The oldest verified human-assisted germination of a seed is a palm seed!
A preserved, 2,000-year-old date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed was successfully sprouted in 2005. In 2011, this Judean date palm was transplanted from a pot into the earth. The Judean date palm is grown in Judea. Dates grown in this region have had distinctive reputations for thousands of years, and the date palm was anciently regarded as a symbol of the region and its fertility.
Suzy says
I was moved by the article about your conservancy on PBS today. Thank you for your good works.
Merwin Conservancy says
Thank you for your interest in The Merwin Conservancy. We too were moved by the PBS NewsHour segment. The Merwin Palm Collection is an amazing place, planted by an amazing man.
Florence Simm says
Do you permit visitors to walk thru the palm tree gardens ?
Merwin Conservancy says
The Merwin Palm Collection is not open to the general public at this time. Currently, the palm forest is only open to botanists and scientists who wish to study the palm family and help preserve this living treasure house of palm DNA and protect the bio-diversity of this keystone species. We do very occasionally provide small group tours to botanical organizations, garden clubs, palm tree societies and other conservation and environmental organizations; and in the future, “Open Garden Days” may be available from time to time. Please enjoy this website and keep coming back to learn more! Thank you for your interest.