Question
QUESTION: I'm interested in cultivating the derrie variety of the palm tree (origin in Iraq). Unfortunately, I know very little of the subject, and would appreciate info on:

1. What do I need to obtain to start (branch, seed, leaf, frond, etc.)?
2. How it might be possible to obtain what I need?
3. Where to plant these trees?
4. How long would it take until the trees would be mature enough to produce fronds of their own?

Thank you very much in advance. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Ysroel,
Before I answer your question, can you give me a general idea of where you are located because it sounds like you want to plant the palms outdoors.
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your response.

Actually, I'm in New Jersey, but I'm not expecting that to be a hospitable climate, so I'd plant them wherever in the US that is most beneficial to them.

Thanks again

Answer
Hi Ysroel,
Sorry to take so long getting back to you.  I had to go out of town unexpectedly for a few days.  You can plant the derrie palm in a container where it will thrive quite well for a number of years.  Bring it indoors when temperatures fall below 50F.  I think you have what is commonly known as a date palm, native to Southern Iraq and found all over North Africa and the Mediterranean and in California and Arizona in the United States.  I lived in the Phoenix area many years ago and there are beautiful groves of stately date palms all over the Phoenix metropolitan area.  It is not unusual for the temperature to occasional fall below freezing in the Arizona desert and it does not seem to harm  the tree.  So, the best places to plant these trees outdoors in the U.S. is Arizona and California because the tree likes desert conditions.  The plants start easily from seed taking 1-6 months to germinate.  Clean all of the pulp off of the seed and plant in separate pots about 1 inch deep.  Keep moist but not soggy and keep them warm (around 80F).  You can often find baby plants growing around adult trees otherwise, gather fruit that has fallen from the tree and clean them of pulp.  It will take 5-7 years for the tree to bear fruit.  They can be rather slow growing. Trees will begin resembling a palm tree between years 1 and 2.  I hope this helps.
Tom