The amazing palms of Floribunda Palms

[bgl]

Over the years I have made numerous trips to Floribunda Palms in Hawaiian Acres, about 30 minutes away from me by car. Jeff Marcus, who owns Floribunda, and should be well known to many PalmTalk members, has done more than anyone else I know in bringing unusual palms from all over the world into cultivation. Predictably, Floribunda Palms has also been our #1 supplier over the years. To be exact (and yes, I do keep track!), 46% of all my palms were acquired from Floribunda. Today it was time for another trip, and after selecting a number of palms and loading them onto my pickup truck we still had time to walk around and take some photos. So, here, in no particular order, an extraordinary collection of very rare palms. And if a particular palm may not be extremely rare, it's certainly rare to see one this size...

So, here goes. First a view, with some tall Metroxylon and, to the left in the background, a row of Carpoxylon macrospermum. Second photo shows the C. macrospermum. And these are the tallest I've ever seen.

[bgl]

A fruiting Beccariophoenix madagascariensis, with Jeff for scale. Second photo shows a fruiting Veillonia alba.

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First photo: Cyphokentia macrostachya, with Jeff's always charming wife Suchin for scale (and yes, there's another right behind Suchin!)

Second photo: Moratia cerifera with both Jeff and Suchin.

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First photo: Cyphosperma trichospadix with Jeff and Suchin (bet many of you never heard of some of these palms! Well, that's what it's all about - living on the Big Island!)

Second photo: Burretiokentia grandiflora with Jeff

[bgl]

First photo: just to show that you can certainly grow Dypsis decipiens in a very wet environment, here's a double

Second photo: What is probably the largest Lemurophoenix halleuxii on the island, with Suchin. This particular palm was planted from a 5G pot about 4 years ago.

[bgl]

And that's it folks, except that we still have the GRAND FINALE, with - what else - DYPSIS!!

First photo: what came in as Dypsis sp. kinangali. This particular palm was discussed in great detail several months ago here on PalmTalk. Is it a form of Dypsis decipiens or is it not? Who knows!

Second photo: Dypsis sp. white.

[bgl]

First photo: the real Dypsis bejofo (as opposed to the fake D. bejofo, which we are now referring to as Dypsis sp. bejofa or sp. bejouf)

Second photo: Dypsis sp. dark mealybug (possibly D. ovobontsira)

[bgl]

First photo: Jeff's famous Dypsis robusta. This is the type specimen used to describe this species a few years ago.

Second photo: Jeff and his largest Dypsis hovomantsina.

[bgl]

First photo: Jeff and his Dypsis sp. Big curly

Second photo: Jeff and Suchin posing with their largest Dypsis sp. mealybug (possibly D. mananjarensis).

And that's it. Even though there were certainly MANY more rare palms!

[BS Man about Palms]

Don't stop Bo! Shake the camera, maybe more pictures will fall out!

BS

[bgl]

Well, what do you know...one more photo fell out! Actually, I wasn't going to post this one since the sun interfered with the top of the photo and I didn't like the way it came out. This is a Dypsis species unknown, but in all likelihood in the vonitra complex.

[niftinfiftin]

Wonderful photos, thanks.

[Matt in SD]

Great photos Bo. You got a good fraction of the palms I remember seeing at Jeff's and nowhere else. But what about the Ravenea musicalis?

That Lemur has grown a LOT in the 15 months since I was there. And I see it looks like the Burretiokentia grandiflora is loaded with seed. I can't wait till those are available, I've been forcing myself not to buy B dumasii seedlings because grandiflora just has the extra something.

Matt

[tim_brissy_13]

Thanks for those shots Bo. Love the white on the Moratia (and just about everything else)!

[Don Little]

Bo,

All I can say is WOW. The sheer size of the Beccariophoenix and the lemurophoenix leave you speechless. Do you know how old the Beccariophoenix is? Thanks for posting those great pics.

Don

[Urban Rainforest]

Bo, Thanks for posting those jaw dropping pics! Those palms have grown a lot since I was there last. Some of those Dypsis are massive! I can't wait until my Lemur's look like that

Steve

[bgl]

Everybody, thanks for your comments! Have to alert Jeff to the fact that I posted the photos!

I don't know the age of the Beccariophoenix, but I have a few that are only slightly smaller and they are 13-14 years old (since germination).

[rthink]

Hawaii is really an ideal place to grow palms ....Most of the palms growing there look much better than anywhere else. Thanks for the pictures, Bo! I always wanna see Jeff's garden.

[Daryl]

Great photos of great palms. That really does look like a Botanical Ark of the Madagascan kind. And of course New Caledonian kind! That Beccariophoenix...it looks like the window form, with the small inflorescence, much like the ones that are fruiting in these parts. Does anybody know if this is a form of B.madagascariensis or a separate species?

Daryl

[palmislandRandy]

Amazing photos Thanks, now I'll walk around my house and really be dissapointed.

[Walter John]

That's what I'm talkin' about, thanks Bo, I think it's time for a complete Floribunda photo shoot. I'll take the pics, you just got to fly me over.

I can always dream...

[TikiRick]

HOLY CRAP!

A true palm growing paradise! Did Jeff import top soil? How long has he been there, Bo?

I have been getting palms from him for about 15 years now and love them. I would think about 60% of my palm collection is from Florabunda Palms as well.

I am so happy that I just got three little seedlings of that mother plant, Dypsis sp. white.

In addition to many other rare goodies.

[surferjr]

These are some great pics of Jeff with his Palms.....but where's Jeff's glass of wine?

Edited June 13, 2008 by surferjr

[Jeff Searle]

I HATE you Guys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just not fair, and it ain't right!!

Ok,Ok, I appologize for those remarks, well maybe. In all seriousness, Bo thanks for showing us all a small fraction of some of the most unique palms found in the world. It's nice to know that some of these species will produce seed in the near future for the first time as a cultivated palm. I'm in such awe when I look at these pictures, but multiply it by 1000 % when standing there in person. Jeff's (and you as well Bo) got a great collection, and it's always,always enjoyable to see. Thanks!

Jeff

[John in Andalucia]

I HATE you Guys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just not fair, and it ain't right!!

Ok,Ok, I appologize for those remarks, well maybe. In all seriousness, Bo thanks for showing us all a small fraction of some of the most unique palms found in the world. It's nice to know that some of these species will produce seed in the near future for the first time as a cultivated palm. I'm in such awe when I look at these pictures, but multiply it by 1000 % when standing there in person. Jeff's (and you as well Bo) got a great collection, and it's always,always enjoyable to see. Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff,

Take some comfort from those who aspire to get where you are, despite the grass being greener in Hawaii. Besides, I've always though that selling palms in Hawaii must be like trying to sell ice to Eskimos.

[deezpalms]

Great photos of Jeff's place Bo!! I took some wonderful shots there last year when I visited the island. Jeff didn't want me to post photos on the board so I'm glad you did!

[BigFrond]

Wow! I like them all. I wonder if I can grow Lemurophoenix halleuxii here in SoCal?

[realarch]

Thanks for the photos Bo, I'm going to have to make the effort to get out to Jeff's the next trip over and add to the collection. Look forward to expanding the

horizons.

Tim

[bgl]

Just heard from Jeff. He sent me an e-mail with the following information:

"We top dress with our used certified media which is peat and cinder....but all basically growing on old lava and as is your garden etc..My nursery was formed in 1987 but real planting began in 1990 but a lot of items that are huge were planted 12- 14 years ago..Jeff"

[TikiRick]

Just heard from Jeff. He sent me an e-mail with the following information:

"We top dress with our used certified media which is peat and cinder....but all basically growing on old lava and as is your garden etc..My nursery was formed in 1987 but real planting began in 1990 but a lot of items that are huge were planted 12- 14 years ago..Jeff"

Bo, what does lava rock possess nutritionally? Do you ever have any nutritional deficiencies???

Do the palms on your and Jeff's property just find a crevace to push roots into? I just don't understand how a solid rock could feed that palms that well....yet they look so happy!

[Kim]

Oh, my heart, be still! These palms are just amazing. Every time I click to enlarge a photo, it's, "OMG!!!" This is like, torture... but fun at the same time? (We palm people are really messed up.)

[Brian]

Bo,

We would love to see what you bought.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Brian

[Matt in SD]

Regarding the soil, or lack thereof, I've seen palms growing happily in Jeff's garden in really unbelievable circumstances. Jeff has a row of Carpoxylons that are near a wash area (it's a river when it rains hard). They are sitting on a flat, and apparently solid block of lava with not more than a foot (30cm) deep of crushed rock extending maybe 2 feet out from the base of the palms. They're huge, 10 feet or more of clear trunk, and perfectly healthy looking but for the life of me I have no idea where the roots go or how they keep from falling over.

I have a photo at home, will post later.

Matt

[MattyB]

Do the palms on your and Jeff's property just find a crevace to push roots into?

Rick sometimes the roots do not even find crevases. Bo has to say out there all night long and hold them up from falling.

[Gtlevine]

Breathe in, breathe out,............

I felt the same way looking at the photos as I did when I was there in person, just awestruck. Nothing in this world gets me going more than those big Dypsis, and that Lemur!, it is way bigger since I have seen it last. I can't wait until it gets trunk. For the non Dypsis, that Vellonia Alba is magnificant.

All you need to do now is add some photos of his Mad Fox, Slick Willie, Marojejya, etc....................................

Thanks Bo,

Gary

[Don Little]

Wow! I like them all. I wonder if I can grow Lemurophoenix halleuxii here in SoCal?

Big Frond

I was talking to Phil at JM and he told me that he had a decent size one that had been growing well in his yard but was damaged and susequently died when a branch of a tree that was being trimmed in his yard fell on it. Maybe he will see this and confirm it.

Don

[bgl]

Kim,

Torture and having fun at the same time - well, that wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I posted these photos!

Brian,

here's a photo of what I bought; lower left a tray of Marojejya darianii, right behind them a tray with Dypsis sp. betafaka, and far left a tray of Tahina spectabilis. On the right hand side a bunch of different palms; Rhopalostylia sapida (yes, they grow here!), Syagrus vermicularis, Ravenea sp. giant, Pritchardia hildebrandtii sp. blue moon and a few misc. (including a few "specials" that Jeff only had a small number of, and thus would not be on his list. Better not mention the names here... BUT, another advantage of living here on the island!).

Regarding questions about lava and soil (or lack thereof) - by quite a coincidence the "Who wants to move to...Leilani Estates" thread was just revived yesterday, and it would be more appropriate to address some of these issues in that thread, so let's transfer these issues there. I'll be adding some posts to that thread in a moment.

[ellidro]

Breathe in, breathe out,............

I felt the same way looking at the photos as I did when I was there in person, just awestruck. Nothing in this world gets me going more than those big Dypsis, and that Lemur!, it is way bigger since I have seen it last. I can't wait until it gets trunk. For the non Dypsis, that Vellonia Alba is magnificant.

All you need to do now is add some photos of his Mad Fox, Slick Willie, Marojejya, etc....................................

Thanks Bo,

Gary

Ask and you shall receive

Mad Fox(sorry for the bad pic)

Slick Willie

Marojeyja (one of the smaller ones)

[Palm Guy]

Woah...that was the ultimate palm thread...

Nice Pics Bo!

[BS Man about Palms]

This makes this so much for Jeff and Bo that I get because I wish I could do this . But I just continue to be like while feeling and so I just give up and look at this thread like this .

BS