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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/18/2026 in Posts
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It’s been a long road to get to this point, but we’ve finally achieved it, we own acreage in Australia 🥳. The acre parcel is located 3 km from the township of Malanda, 15 minutes to Atherton (main hub on the Atherton Tablelands), and just over an hour down the stunning Gillies Range highway to Cairns. 740 metres above sea level and typically 6-7C cooler than Cairns in summer (29 Vs. 36C this Saturday), with minimums rarely dropping below 12C in winter. Also humidity tends to be lower. I’m hoping the climate is a suitable candidate for Juania australis, Ceroxylon, and Hedyscepe. The land is red volcanic soil, which is very fertile with good drainage and moisture retention. Ultimately I would like to build a house on it and retire up there over the next 10-15 years, but that all depends on if I can convince my wife to leave the Gold Coast. If not, we’ll use it as a holiday home and split our time between the two locations accordingly. For now, it’s my playground to plant sun loving palms that will provide future canopy. As each species goes in, I’ll update this thread. The YouTube video shows the land as it is now. Over the next few months all the infrastructure will go in (town water, underground power, sealed roads, concrete access driveway etc).5 points
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And some more from Punakaiki and surrounds including Pororari River track, Truman Track, Pancake Rocks, and the bottom end of the Paparoa track.
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Was on the west coast of the South Island recently for 2 weeks camping and experienced lots of great habitat. Here are some photos, mainly from start of the heaphy track. The first photo is from the deck of a friend’s house at the Mohikinui River mouth.
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Palermo was a bit of mixed bag. Still pockets of stunning ancient heritage, but unfortunately the city in general does appear to have lost its way. The botanical garden on the other hand was a pleasant surprise, with a fantastic variety of palm species. Also the most comprehensive collection of citrus trees I've ever seen, the majority of which were full of ripe fruit. Well worth a visit. Washingtonia robusta Church of St. Dionisio 14th century ruins Phoenix sylvestris Washingtonia robusta Not 100%, but I think this is Trachycarpus takil. Labelled Trachycarpus fortunei. Brahea armata Butia sp. Brahea edulis Trachycarpus martianus Jubaea chilensis Trithrinax campestris Rhopalostylis sapida Chamaedorea metallica Archontophoenix maxima Roystonea regia Chrysalidocarpus baronii Brahea decumbens Brahea brandegeei Brahea armata Chrysalidocarpus decaryi Trithrinax campestris Brahea aculeata Nannorrhops ritchiana Parajubaea torallyi Sabal maritima Dioon spinulosum Encephalartos lehmanni Chamaerops humilis var. argentea Howea forsteriana
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Hello ! Was lucky enough to explore the forests of Costa Rica : from altitude cloudy forest to dry savanes. They have it all, with amazing species. A special thanks to Jeff who gave me great advices and IDs. Some of you might know him.
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Some stills of the land and view. Land: View:
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It is extremely difficult to find an acidic compost (compost not peat based potting soil!). The only one I have ever found with acidic pH is based on coir (from Antemisaris) but I do not trust it much! FYI I had used another potting soil based also on coir (available in Praktiker), in order to plant out my triple Wodyetia, nonetheless I had applied in the end all available, non radical acidity enhancers! (radical is imo the use of acid in the irrigation water).2 points
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Very true. Anyone can edit Wikipedia, so errors are pretty common. I remember hearing an interview with some celebrity who said his birthday on Wikipedia was wrong, so he edited it, only to discover the next day it had been changed back, 😆2 points
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Not sure, but I believe it's a very variable species.2 points
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Congratulations on the acquisition. I hope you see your plans to fruition.2 points
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Why so definitive with the papaya? That's fully in the survivable camp depending on the duration. They don't die the second it hits 32F or 30F or some other arbitrary number. Fishtail too #optimism2 points
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Doesn’t look like it got below freezing here. None of my freeze/frost indicator plants look like it got that cold. When I took my kids to school on Friday morning the car said 37 to 38 F there and back around sunrise. I know the car thermometers aren’t of the best scientific value but nothing looks froze around here so far. I guess bring on Monday night.2 points
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Coconuts can survive that.2 points
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I've got my potted plants in the garage. I will be losing my papaya tree and my fishtail palm, but they were always intended to be annuals. Nothing else in my landscape has me worried with 28F as the forecast low.2 points
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very high calcium soil cannot be ammended to solve pH issues which will be a problem for many palms. I dont know about Alfredii there, I guess you will be the first one to grow in such an alaline soil. I would try adding elemental sulfur, and plenty of it to see if the pH can be changed. It will take a couple years to find out. pH 8.2 is not extremely high but5 its an issue. Here is a chart, the red pH zones are a no for most plants. https://planetpermaculture.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/ph-chart-showing-nutrient-availability/ looks like B, Fe, Cu, Zn, and N will be a problem. Get the sulfur pellets, they are small pellets but big enough that the wind wont blow them away like a granular sulfur. You will need to address the pH issue at and around the planting sites. You have to put this stuff down liberally, 4-5 lbs per planting site per year for 3-4 years. THe soil microbes break down the sulfur to acid in small amounts so no burn. I dont recommend using a quick soil pH adjustor, there is a high risk of killing plants as it rinses down. you might just be able to change that soil at pH 8.2 but it will take time an lots of sulfur. In the mean time get some humic acid as it chelates some of the micro nutrients and improves availability in alkaline soil.2 points
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Upper 20s in the forecast for the northern part of SA in the forecast on Sunday morning. Nothing to worry about.2 points
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This one is Cleopatra x True blue Arenarius. It is turning more blue with each flush. It is also is a speedster as this flush started in Nov. for its 3rd flush last year! I believe this will turn into a good looking plant.
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I have’nt posted in awhile because not alot going on this time of year. I have a few plants flushing but thats it. This one is Horridus x Arenarius. Not very blue yet but maybe in the future.
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I have been asked to spread the word about the World Palm Symposium supported in part by the IPS as part of our research, education and conservation mission statement. Below I copy a letter from the Organizing Committee: Dear fellow palm researchers and enthusiasts! Abstract submissions and early-bird registration are now open for PALMS 2026 Singapore! We are now accepting submissions for talks and posters related to the following themes about palms: 1. Ecology and ecophysiology 2. Systematics, phylogenetics, and evolution 3. Biogeography, macroecology and macroevolution 4. Plant-animal interactions 5. Uses and conservation 6. Palms in the human landscape Hands-on workshops in palm propagation and collecting—plus exclusive field trips into Singapore’s nature reserves—are coming up. Join us and be part of it. If you are early career researcher or student, we are also excited to announce travel grants to help support you. For more information, check out our website: https://palms2026.sg Sign up here for news and announcements (e.g., workshop sign-ups and deadline reminders) or follow us on Instagram! Best, Jun Ying Lim On behalf of the World Palm Symposium Organising Committee
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Thanks Jonathan. You could be right on it being a tad too warm, but I’m hoping the level of rainfall and cooler lows might make the difference. Worth a shot for sure.1 point
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How cute is that little Chamaerops? The argentea is super cool as well. Chrysalidocarpus decaryi is a victim of its own success...those ones look beautiful, I'd be very happy if I could grow them here.1 point
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Wow!!! Now can you please go back through the pics and label everything, lol. Particularly wondering what the species is in the 8th pic from the bottom...the monoculture with finely divided pinnate leaves??1 point
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It’s that time of year here in Southern California . Temperatures in the upper 70’s and mid 80’s f. and lows in the low 60’s. We have had quite the week with a follow-up to our incredible wet November and December / early January. The garden , once again thinks it is Spring or Summer. The wonderful weather has a price …..very dry winds . That means MORE TIME IN THE GARDEN!😎. I was out picking up debris once again and took a few pics. All you SoCal folks can join in , I know you’re out there in you gardens , watering , fussing about . Even those of you not in our area , I can sense the gardening bug doesn’t just have me in its grip. Harry ‘The Pritchardia has opened 3 new fronds in about 2 months. another view with the Caryota behind it Cyphophoenix Nucele …..” WHAT WINTER?” ‘ ‘Orchids are blooming Even the Ground Orchid is popping up around the Chrysalidiocarpus Lutescens. Chrysalidiocarpus Lanceolata pushing a new spear , it won’t be long on that one! Rhopalostylus Bauri Cheesmania keeping Ernie company Well thats it for now , I think I have a few weeds that need to be pulled. Harry
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Sorry, So Cal--this topic's about the east coast! Anyone seen any Clinostigmas growing down here? Fairchild gardens has a Clinostigma Harlandii with about 14' of trunk. A friend of mine is attempting a decent sized batch of Savoryanum--not out of the solid leaf yet, but very much healthy. I know Savoryanum is well represented in California, so my guess is it's a winner down here. The Clinostigma Harlandii looked pretty healthy after two consecutive, harsh winters(by our standards) so I want to believe this lovely palm is also safe. Two down, so what about the other 9? I have been wanting to grow Clinostigma Exorrhizum for some time, but prefer to see it local before I try it out. Lastly, of all the people that may reply to this post, have any of you seen the alleged cone of stilt roots, this genus is known for, or is this an adaptation to their local environment only(the Clinostigma Harlandii at FTB doesn't have stilt roots like described in my literature)?1 point
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Yes I don’t want them, I have bigger fish to fry do to speak, to many to grow just not interested enough in them. Good news I have a home for them already in sunny Tasmania with a request for them, @Jonathan can have as many as he wants! Richard1 point
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A nice bit of colour on the iguanura new leaf, and all bright green after a good thunderstorm in the garden this afternoon!
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That does sound like classic transplant shock, especially if it was badly root-bound before. Palms really feel repotting stress, and moving it indoors adds another adjustment with light and humidity changes. As long as you keep watering steady but not excessive, skip fertilizer for now, and give it bright, indirect light, it should settle in. These things just take time with palms—sometimes a couple of months—while the roots recover and start working properly again.1 point
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Caramel Pluto philodendron Golden Crocodile philodendron Kiett mango from seed Jesus Christ my arms are hairy. Anyway here's your color.
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Well, it seems to take about 10-11 months from the first flower spike emergence, til the last seeds ripen and all fall off. Two more stalks to go. They start to turn red, then all fall off over about a month. I kind of hope this is a biyearly process, all these seeds are a bit messy.
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A few more photos. Tim
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This is the bigger of two Presto Hybrids I got from FB two years ago. Whether it was the same pollen doner... who knows. It has been a fast grower here in So Cal.
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Chrysalidiocarpus Lutescens some pink on the new spear to accent the orange/gold The colorful fruit of Chamaedorea Microspadix goes well with the soft green texture of the leaves. Harry
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To me the elegans has stood the test of time. Taking pride of place in the greenhouse next too the the rare tropicals, to group plantings in the garden to standing alone with pride. An old favourite of mine going back to when I was a child at my grandmothers house with them in the kitchen. Down to them taking place in a heritage home adding that Victorian era look. There here to stay in my collection!
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Oraniopsis appendiculata, coping with the high temperatures and lack of rainfall!
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Cefalù is a must see if you're travelling to Sicily. Stunning architecture, beautiful city.
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In 2014, I gathered seeds of this species from habitat in Cuba. 12 years of growth in the Arizona desert and here are the results. The ones I planted in full, all day sun, are finally putting out larger fan shaped leaves. The ones planted in shade, although a much prettier shade of green, are still only pushing strap leaves after all this time. Full sun definitely makes a difference in speed of growth. Species is basically a miniature version of Copernicia macroglossa, but is better adapted to smaller yards and gardens where space is at a premium. Unfortunately, due to its extremely slow growth rate and rarity of seeds, it will never be common or commercially produced. aztropic Mesa, Arizona
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Best time to start a slow growing species is today folks! Future you will be glad you did1 point
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Our jungle kitty only goes outside on a leash to prowl in her garden.
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Late to the discussion, but... I've grown my share of wobbly palms, and never staked a one. My solution was rocks. Large rocks to help support the palm at its base. Or if no rocks around, one could use bricks, or if you're into that kind of thing, garden gnomes, concrete bunnies, or an upside-down clay pot -- something with some heft that will encourage the palm to stay upright. Then a year or two along the calendar, you can simply move them elsewhere. No marring of the trunk from any ties, and the palm ends up with a firm grip on its place in the soil.1 point
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Clinostigma doing well and looking reptilian.
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Here is Clinostigma samoense. Doing very well and getting thicker.
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Yeah, these don't like it here...
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Andrew, the trunk on yours makes mine in shade look puny!
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Updates on this one. There was a lutescens that was causing this palm to bend. So as soon as I saw the kink, out came the machete!
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Here are a couple better shots of this samoense.
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2015 update photo of mine:
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Hi Andrew, yup it's C. samoense that hold entire leaves while still young. Yours is looking good. Tim1 point
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I believe this is a samoense. We left it in a pot for too long and it started to decline. I told my dad we need to get her in the ground if we want to keep her(she wasn't going to sell in her condition). A year or so later and she is really starting to take off!
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I almost gave up on this one, but you can see a nice new frond on the way up. Fingers crossed! Randy
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