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I'd like to share some information and photos of the eight full days IPS'ers spent in Viet Nam. These include palms and a few shots of the cities and countryside. The hotels were super, people friendly and helpful, and the streets swarmed with tourists, many probably Americans, Europeans, or Australians. Many shops in the streets had signs in English below the Vietnamese text - I'm told that English is taught in the schools. The tour started in Hanoi and ended in Hoi An, sister city to Da Nang. Nights were spent is six separate cities. I was told that it never freezes in Viet Nam, and this permits landscapers to use many palms. Everywhere, one of the most prominent was the royal palm (Roystonea regia). There were tremendous numbers pf betelnuts (Areca catechu). Another very common sight was the coconut (Cocos nucifera). I also saw a few plantings of the Manila or Christmas palm (Adonidia merrilli) and Chinese fans (Livistona chinensis). Overall, the selection for landscaping was pretty predictable and not highly interesting. Hours of sitting by bus windows made possible many pictures of unique aspects of the environment. Here is a typical city street in Hanoi: Here is a gathering of ladies at some sort of gathering. The long dresses are an anomaly, where women dress in traditional forms to celebrate a religious holiday. Normally, men and women dress just like we do. Photo number 3 is either from Hanoi or Ninh Binh, and shows an aspect of city travel that is unlike the USA, where even the poorest person drives a car. In Viet Nam motor scooters are much more common than motor vehicles and often used by young people of both genders. Quite often, there is a passenger (friend, wife, girl friend, child) clinging to waist of the driver. Masks are more common than not - I am told (but not convinced) that it is due to air pollution in cities like Hanoi (estimated population 10 million). Crossing the countryside, the lower elevation land devoted to rice paddies, usually with a country village in the background. Occasionally, the villagers decide to sacrifice a little rice growing land to have a graveyard. These are usually filled with elaborate structures to mark the resting places that are products of the peoples real tradition and skill at monument making. I was told that the lotus is considered to be a symbol of Viet Nam (I was also told that it was a heron, also a bull).But here is a city monument, probably in Ha Tinh. The hammer and sickle to the upper left are, of course, a symbol the the Vietnamese Communist party. The government of Viet Nam has an explicit symbol in its flag, red with a yellow star. The next pic is from our tour of the Forbidden City in Hue, showing one of many elaborate monuments from Viet Nams ancient past: Now, let's turn our attention to palms. Rain, slippery mud, huge rocks to climb over, laziness, and advancing age caused me to turn back or avoid several of the field excursions. Here's yours truly with a Lanonia species on the first day, in Cuc Phuong NP. Most of my best photos are from Bach Ma NP, where we were transported to the top of a hill on a concrete road and left to walk down and look at palms in the vegetation on either side. when we had done all we wanted to we could flag down one of the minibuses going back down the hill. My first shot was of what may be Pinanga ammanensis or possibly a Nenga species - Bill Baker wasn't yet sure. His photo in Facebook several days ago is much better than mine, but the same palm. My next photo is of a palm that I think is what Dr. Baker entered in Facebook as Licuala dakrongensis. We saw many Plectocomia elongata, which I am told is the tallest rattan. Everyone got a picture of this Caryota no (Bill Baker's is best). Here are two pics of Calamus walkeri, which was highly abundant everywhere. the second vividly illustrates the thorns. Finally, I will end with a shot of Da Nang, taken from a hillside in the Son Tra Nature Reserve. Hope you enjoyed this, as I did in posting.

Hetrospathe scitula looking pretty good!

Double flames?

Listen to me, gentlemen. We mustn't lose hope. Even if I go to Antarctica, I'll take all my palm trees with me. Even if the giant Jubaea trees survive, I'll be satisfied. We will not lose hope. I've been quite offended when people ask me how I can have exotic, tropical palm trees in a cold climate. They're palm trees, not bombs. And I won't harm anyone by having them. They are my most precious plant kingdom.

Another good batch of seeds @garrytsen 9 days after sowing I’m already getting germination on Trachycarpus Winsan, Himgarda and nanus. Got them on 26C heat mats. Some containers directly on the mats, some on top of other containers so temps probably range from 20-25C at the seeds. They’re in 70/30 coco-coir/perlite mix.

are butia odorata

Glad you are all well and out of harms way . Thank you @DoomsDave for starting a thread so our Hawaii folks can check in and report , fortunately out of the threat of the eruptions so far. Harry

I have a female needle palm without male counterparts around, which produced this year 4 well shaped fruits containing also seeds. This is a picture of two fruits and two seeds. I have never come across pollinated fruits and fertile seeds of this palm sp before, so I have zero experience. If I dissect the seeds, I will waste them and miss the chance of propagation. So I would like to know from a knowledgeable person, whether those fruits and seeds look at least pollinated and generally whether needle palms can also be hermaphrodite.

Mazat my friend, Restore it in spring. For next winter, install heat lamps and insulate the balcony with plastic or nylon. Wrap the palm tree in bubble wrap and frost netting. 🌴🌴🌴💪💪

Thanks @kim for sharing!

Vanda Nopporn Golden Dream x Taweesooksa #58

You knew a stand alone thread regarding ..what is likely to be an unprecedented spring heatwave event here in the western /southwestern U.S. ... was coming... In some cases, it is already kicking off in parts of the west as we speak.. 86F currently ( 11:51AM ) here in the neighborhood w/ numerous, low 90s already in many neighborhoods nearby. Seeing numerous areas at /above 86F across S.Cal right now as well ..and a few spots up around the Bay Area already breaching the 80's mark. While hot springs aren't anything new to this portion of the country, what looks to unfold in the coming days, esp. after the start of next week, will see temps, ...both morning minimums and " top out " daytime highs... exceed daily, and / or monthly records ..for BOTH March and April.. in many areas that typically escape such events. Daniel Swain, over at Weather West, covers this nicely both in his livestream on YT a couple days ago, and in his blog post yesterday ( Here, for those who can't seem to type in " Weather West " in their web browsers: https://weatherwest.com/archives/43745 ) *** Note in his blog discussion the potential connection between these types of extreme ridges, and Atmospheric River events.. While often bland / leaning too conservative, IMO, in their daily forecast discussions, PHX NWS has been doing a pretty good job laying out what will be a pretty eye opening stretch of weather, ...even by our standards.. fairly well. Not the 2nd paragraph discussing when we typically see our first 105 / 105+F days here.. Here at least, only " saving grace " relief- wise may be overnight temps not staying as hot as they do later on in the spring / over the summer.. With surface temps expected to stay +15 - 30F / 8 -14+C warmer than normal thru this event, communities located up in the mountains here in AZ, and various parts of CA, UT, NV, and NM may see record shattering morning lows during this event. We'll see what ours look like once this event gets going. Regarding potential highs? ** Well, lol ..if you live here / in Tucson, get ready to experience a multi day stretch of 100 / 100+ heat, with the potential for flirting with 110 not off the table here / reaching it, at least on one day possible in places around Palm Springs /Indio, and El Centro. Tucson could breach the 102+ mark for a day or two.. Their monthly record high is ...99F ** Normally cool, ..even while we bake.. Flagstaff could see highs reach the mid 80s.. ** Sonoita, sitting right around 4Kft elevation, and communities within the Borderlands down south could flirt with the mid 90s, with exceeding that not off the table in some spots down there.. ** How about a 5 day stretch in ST. George, with 95F ...or slightly hotter.. possible there. Las Vegas? ..you too may reach / exceed 100F wayy earlier than normal too. ABQ, Las Cruces and El Paso? stretch of 80 -mid 80s in ABQ, possible some spots flirt with 90.. Multi - day stretch of 90 - 90+ heat ..with breaching 95 / flirting with 100F not off the table in both Las Cruces and El Paso not off the table in either area.. As Daniel mentioned in his live stream, Denver and Co. Springs may also see temps reach / breach 80 at some point during this event as well.. Think you're escaping this one, normally cool spots in Cali.? ..think again.... While 10 day forecasts currently being issued by WX underground are a bit modest / seem subdued, spending some time looking over the current thinking among point and click forecasts from the NWS offices out there, ..some of the numbers i'm seeing ..are down right nuts ..esp. for MID MARCH.. While the deserts, parts of inland S.Cal, and the Cen. Valley can get a bit toasty ..by their definitions of " toasty ".. this time of year, areas around the SF / Monterey Bay Areas typically have to wait a few weeks / let alone months..... to see some of the temps being suggested.. like.. ** Mid / upper 80s possible in parts of San Francisco *** San Jose ( near downtown ) and the southwestern suburbs where i grew up ( Los Gatos / Almaden areas ) seeing a multi day stretch in the 90s, with the possibility of reaching 95 not totally off the table.. Inland spots in the East Bay likely seeing similar highs too.. Morgan Hill , Gilroy, and Hollister flirting with the mid / upper 90s ..someone cracking 100 not totally off the table either.. Reaching / exceeding 100F near the Pinnacles highly possible.. ** Reaching / exceeding 90, near the beaches, around Santa Cruz / Capitola possible.. W/ 90 -90+ readings, on a day or two possible places like Watsonville / Salinas. Knowing how hot it could get near the beaches, won't be shocked to see some of the neighborhood - level " hot spots " in the S.C. mountains reach / breach 95F Even Monterey may flirt with 90 in a few spots.. ** Cen valley looks ..toasty.. with Sacramento likely to break it's all time March high and Fresno ..potentially... reaching / exceeding 95F on one or two days of the 5 forecast to reach / exceed 90F. Coastal / near coastal spots around Southern CA areas that are typically more moderate compared to desert areas may see desert -like highs.. ** If they don't reach / break it over the next couple days, Los Angeles may break ( ..or shatter ) the 100F mark.. with 100F readings possible in places like the San Fernando Valley, and Pasadena areas.. ** Similar readings now ..and very possible next week across Orange County.. ** Inland Empire will likely see at least a day or two above 99, if not exceeding 101F ** San Diego, near downtown? You may actually reach / exceed 90F today ..and again next week.. ..while inland spots like Escondido, Pasqual Valley, Poway, Ramona, and Santee / El Cajon may reach 100F for a couple days Coastal spots like Oceanside, La Jolla = seeing some mid 80s there right now. May reach / breach?? that mark again next week. Ooff, 😬 In a nutshell ..No one won't feel the effects of what is going to be the deafening sound of shattering records across a huge swath of land over the next 7-14 days.. How long does it last?? That depends on which current WX model thinking wins out.. Some current thoughts from ..say the GFS, want to move the ridge east / offer up some relief by the 21st /22nd. Other thinking from other model data break the ridge down a bit as some troughing passes over the top of it around the same time ..only to have the ridge try and rebuild over the west again around the 26th /27th.. Looking at today's thinking from the ECMWF ( surface / 2m mean anom. temp charts ) While the extreme +Anom shadings may back off by the end of the month, Overall warmer than normal anom shading doesn't budge across the west thru the current forecast period ..Apr. 27th.. Honestly, Just going to have to wait and see which direction that goes.. ..but, i won't be surprised if ..for the most part.. we're " ridged " for quite awhile.. For now, ..prepare for what is on the way ..esp. if here in AZ / nearby areas that could see a multi day stretch of temps at / above 100F ..areas that could see several days above 93F that aren't used to seeing such #s this early.. Long-time local ..or out of towner visiting the area.. STAY HYDRATED, and don't be that jagoff who puts the health and safety of first responders ..or folks in the general public at risk.. stay OFF THE TRAILS during the day.. Be interesting to see if Maricopa CO. issues any ..really early.. daytime trail closures next week. Hopefully they do, ..at least on the hottest days currently in the forecast. Much more to come.......

Hello, We have two palms in the house we've moved to, can anyone help me as to what variety they are and what I can do to make them look better. Excuse the mess underneath, have just been trimming. Thanks

Yet another fragrant Dendrobium which is in bloom now. Dendrobium gracilicaule var macropus.

As y'all say, too small to say if minor or palmetto. I thought to go back and toss seed, but I'm out. I cut off all my S.minor stalks last year. It's a good area though, as it's a flood plane. Maybe I should acquire palmetto seeds this year to toss out next near.

Kilauea volcano erupts, closes Hawaii highways Hollering out to our various Big Island Palm Talkers. @Kim @Dypsisdean @Hilo Jason @HiloGreg @bgl and all the rest, hope you're okay. Yeah, I treat myself to a little whine now and again over the winds, but this takes mega-bakeries full of cakes . . . .

I would like to visit the island of Hawaii someday. They are Polynesian sister islands, along with Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in Chile.

Lol you have reminded me of a saying by Reiner Werner Fassbinder: Ich werfe keine Bomben, ich mache Filme.

Thanks Harry, just living in paradise! Richard

You want em in pots, I got em in pots!

I shall start this thread, this way when I plant a few more things in the garden it will be found here, and what a joy it will be, theres a lot to planted! So the new plants for today are kerriodoxas and chamaedorea adscendens a little reindhardtia gracilis a philodendron hose buono and a Zamia variegata. This little batch should get the garden looking good from the deck.

Another beautiful wet humid afternoon after a 39 degree Celsius day (most likely 42 in the sun with 85 percent humidity). So it’s a good time for planting some more of Mother Natures gifts. Another 5 years and one tropical paradise. kentiopsis oliviformis Stangeria eriopsischameadorea metallica dypsis procera draceana goldieana cycas deboansis or a x multipinata ceratozamia subrosephylla

Should transplant well. As was mentioned , Chamaedorea are fairly straight forward . Most are shade loving palms and a fresh transplant will need just a bit more attention . Give it a bit more water until it settles in after getting as much root ball as possible , assuming it is ground planted , not in a pot. The palm will go through a bit of adjustment coming out of a controlled environment like a greenhouse. Harry

I never imagined you had such low temperatures. In winter, I get -3 to -4 degrees Celsius at sea level. In the same area, but at higher altitudes, it can reach -14 degrees Celsius or lower. Further south in Chile, the temperature is even colder, almost apocalyptic.

🌴💪💪

Some beautiful palms in that haul, dypsis palms are such a great palm for my climate. Such exotic varieties available and the smaller varieties are just so beautiful. Summer is over so planting time again and with no shortage of stock plants iam a planting. Richard

We here in sunshine and warmth are akin to using a reciprocating saw to do division of plants, I don’t know so uncivilised in Tasmania, must be the cold weather that slows down the thought process 🤣

I would say a pretty good chance given the the fact it would have a rather tightly packed root system being such a large clump. Golden canes are very similar and easy when you have a large clump. Plus theres a lot of good canes to grab hold off and lift with. Go for it trim a few leaves and water in with seaweed extract for vitamin B stress relief!

I would go up and inspect the crown and bud area, too.

Subject: Quick Update from the Fortress – Growth doesn't lie! 🌿🔥 Hi everyone, thanks for the lively discussion and the critical views! Special thanks to Janni for the neighborly perspective – I totally get your point about the Chamaedorea in the front yard. However, there’s a massive biological difference between a ground-level garden and a 4th-floor balcony fortress. While it was -10.3°C (13.5°F) in the valley, my microclimate here—supported by the building's thermal mass and my 100% passive Sagex (EPS) insulation—prevented even a single ice day on the balcony! The proof is in the pushing: Despite the skepticism about a "war of attrition," my Kentia is already pushing a solid new spear right now! This isn't "growing backwards"; it's active regeneration in real-time. To Phoenikakias: Don’t worry, Konstantinos! I have the fungicide ready in the fortress to prevent any "rot-error" during this warm spring eruption. The experiment continues. Fortune favors the bold! 🌴💎 Kind regards Mazat

The thing with palms they can come clean out of a winter but die on you in summer because of the damage the winter brings.

Here are a few photos that I’ve posted before. Of the three I have, two are developing darker leaves and not quite as robust as the third, which continues to throw medium green leaves. They all have new leaves that are different shades of mauve. They are over 5’, (1.5m) tall. Just a killer small palm. Tim

Had you subjected your seeds to a floating test?

I believe there has to be both there and pollinated.

I am certainly not a knowledgeable person on this topic but the same happened to me last year and apparently also to @Chester B. The seeds of my needle palm were quite durable and looked fertile so I put them in my heated propagator. After several months none of the seeds germinated and I threw them into the compost.

Thank goodness this setup isn't occurring during the summer because that would really be something. I agree about closing the hiking trails here too. It never ceases to amaze me how many people think it's okay to go hiking in the intense desert heat.

I would prefer something that doesn’t drop leaves in the pool. Something like a palm tree. Birch tree by the pool makes no sense. Have no idea what the previous owners were thinking.

It went well into the teens in Dallas when I was a kid and all the way up into my adult years, visiting family after we left TX and moved to California. Once when I was about 5, it snowed so heavily in Dallas that the powerlines went down. My Grandpa had to 'blaze a trail' outside for me to walk in LOL. At night you could hear tree branches cracking and falling. It was about 36" or so

I totally agree. Maybe it‘s just the curiosity how far you can push the zones. I live just a few kilometers from @Mazat and have the same curiosity. my gardening hobby consists very much of „Zone pushing“. But eventually, you have to recognize when you‘ve come to an end, where you can‘t go further. For example, my Chamaedorea radicalis in the frontyard are literally growing backwards. I know they won‘t be looking good anymore, no matter if they technically survive our winters. This year will be their 5th summer, but they‘ve become my ugliest plants in the garden. I‘ll replace them by something else.

Hi there. I am honestly relieved that you are all doing well. Even if Okinawa's participation in this forum has dropped a bit lately, the Hawaiian forum members are always observed closely.👍 To enlighten you,... ...this is a brand new C.macrocarpa leave. Stay safe fellas, we count on you - best regards, Lars

Ok I shall settle the score and start a on the potting bench thread to appease the palm gods. So it is as follows, on the potting bench you shall see what’s been growing and what reds to be potted up, freshly germinated to anything else that needs to be potted, it shall be gor reference as seedling identification. If anyone wants to identify a seedling, and also as documentation of what and how the plants are growing for the palm talk audience and for my own documentation!

I happened to be on a flight from Honolulu to Hilo yesterday, but on approach to Hilo at 2:45 pm, the pilot made an odd left turn. Then another more severe left turn and I could feel the plane climbing rather than descending. I knew something was wrong, and wondered if we were returning to Oahu. The pilot announced we were being diverted to Kona, much to the dismay of passengers. Planes don't do well flying into ash clouds, thus the inconvenience. Luckily a dear friend, BGL, came to pick me up and take me back across the island. The park was closed, visitors ordered out, and the highway approaching the park was closed. This is an exciting place! Edit: I should add, the repeated eruptions are contained within the humongous main crater up in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and notwithstanding the flying tephra, no homes or towns are in peril.

We are thrilled to share a glimpse of the atreathtaking energy currently erupting in our collection here in Arbon/Stachen Switzerland. While many palms are still struggling with the winter-error, our other Howea forsteriana (Kentia) has just unleashed a magnificent, deep green vitality spear! 🌿✨ Despite the dry stalks around it, this new growth is a true light-bringer, thriving in the tropical warmth of my 4th-floor balcony sanctuary at 20.6 °C (69 °F) in the shade. It’s a testament to the limitless power of nature when the conditions are just right. This spear is more than just growth; it’s a symbol of 100% healing and the vibrant synergy of our sanctuary. We couldn't be happier to see this glissful weightlessness manifesting in such a strong, green signal! Best regards from the sunny shores of Lake Constance, Tom and Sabine

I wanted to share the current status of my 4th-floor balcony collection here in Arbon Stachen (Lake Constance). Despite the central European winter, my Washingtonia robusta, Phoenix canariensis, and Phoenix reclinata are thriving in their elevated microclimate. Current Stats (06:55 AM, March 9): Outdoor Temp (Arbon Stachen 425m, solar-ventilated Bresser) 3.7 C / 97 % humidity Balcony Temp 443m (4th floor, shaded Intertronic): 8.5 C / 61 % Pressure: 1021 hPa (stable). We are also successfully keeping a Howea forsteriana (Kentia) and Saribus rotundifolius on the balcony, protected by fleece and sagex. The difference between the garden level and the 4th floor is the key to our success as a 'Light-Bringer' for these species.

@guillerman looks like a nice crop of seeds on your palm. Plant some in a community pot, keep moist and they should sprout in a few months.

Love it. I found one growing underneath a massive cedar tree in our yard that probably came from a bird from the other one on our property.

It sure didn’t like the cold! Hopefully have time to recover before next winter . They are pretty slow at that age. Harry

Perhaps no help for your ID purposes Will, but they look like this when seedlings. They are not fast from seed, I think these are about 18 months old.