Leaderboard

I spoke with the person in charge of the French Guiana Botanical Garden in South America, at the Palmetum de Guiana. They explained that they have two Tahina spectabilis palms, one in the Palmetum garden and another in a private garden in Cayenne. In total, there are three Tahina palms in French Guiana. They also explained that they obtained the seeds from RPS Germany in 2008, and that many palm trees originated from those seeds. Those in Thailand also originated from the 2008 RPS sale. They also mentioned that there is a Tahina spectabilis in Venezuela. These are probably the only palm trees in South America. In our conversation, they also noted that there are Tahina palms in Martinique and Guadeloupe. With all this information, it is very likely that it could flower in the French Guiana garden in 2038, if it flowers within the minimum 30 years required for this highly sought-after palm. Below is a photo of the Tahina plant. Its trunk is thinner, which will likely accelerate its flowering. Hugo Aravena Chile

These are ancient specimens at Breaker's in PB

I’m afraid it will be a while for my little one . I lost a small one down on my hill last year . A gopher decided to make a meal of it . Fortunately , gophers don’t come up here in my garden and when I found this one at a local nursery , I decided to give this palm another go. This time up here in my garden. Harry ‘This Syagrus Schizophylla got eaten not long after this photo was taken. This larger one , keeping Ernie company , will go somewhere up here in the garden.

Thank you for sharing . That is very nice looking, nice clean trunk with a massive canopy . Harry

Chrysalidocarpus robustus. Monster!

25 foot Old Man Palm at Ann Norton:

Latania new frond beauty

Without a doubt, it's a palm tree worth having in the near future.

Yep , beat me to it . The slender trunks are what make these attractive , IMHO. Harry

Update on this guy. It’s now spit into two trunks. Still lots of color. If officially named it “dypsis sp. quaman” until I get a better ID.

And from Memory seed is spherical like ambositrae (or weeping onilahensis) rather than pointed like the stiff leaf onilahensis found in habitat. As seedlings having grown your seed (C ambositrae x onilahensis F2 maybe) and the stiff leaf C onilahensis from RPS, they appear quite different at a young age too.

Great news! Maybe these palms will contribute to the survival of this spectacular species in case the worst comes to pass in Madagascar. Hope there are more specimens to be found in S.A. My Tahina took a thrashing from Hurricane Ian and another hit from this past winter. I hope it will come back from both calamities but it appears to be so cold sensitive I worry it may be killed once the growing point emerges from the ground.

That is sensational Hugo!

A quick update! Just looking stellar right now. Tim

It’s a great palm and so easy to grow from seed. Your little ones would be from my group of 4 (3 males, 1 female) which pumps out about 300-400 seeds a year now. Germination is close to 100% when I’ve tried although I gifted all of the seed set this year.

Chelyocarpus has deeply split in the middle which is not shown here in the subject palm. Therefore I am still saying it is Sabal Yapa

I planted my beccariophoenix alfredii October 16th 2011. It was a tall one gallon. I wouldn’t call it fast at all but it’s gone from about 1 foot to about 15 feet. Post em if you got em

I did a "search by image" on google and its answers didn't seem to "compute" with what I'm seeing in your photos...however it did say the best thing to do is call the Royal Horticulture Society, they have personnel skilled in moths/caterpillars and can tell you what it is, and if it's at all dangerous to your palm. You can call them at 020 3176 5800 and hopefully they can direct your call, or you can submit the image through their sightings page here. Perhaps a knowledgeable member here will chime in with the answer, but maybe the call to the RHS is the easiest way. Let us all know what you find out!

Hello everyone, My name is Sebastián Vieira, and I’m writing from Colombia. I’m a naturalist and currently the Executive Director of Salvamontes Colombia, a non-profit organization focused on the conservation and restoration of threatened species and their habitats, mainly through the creation and long-term care of private natural reserves. Although I didn’t come to conservation through a formal biology track ( I originally studied and worked as an engineer and spent many years working in telecommunications ), my interest in plants and the natural world has been with me for as long as I can remember. Over time, that curiosity slowly turned into field work, conservation projects, nature photography, and taxonomic research, especially on Pleurothallid orchids. It was that long, hands-on relationship with nature that lead me to be a co-founder of Salvamontes, and nowadays, its leader. Andy Hurwitz invited to come and participate in PalmTalk, and share with everyone here our amazing story, so it’s really nice to finally introduce SalvaMontes and our work here, especially thanks to the invitation from the International Palm Society, whose support has been fundamental for one of the projects I care most deeply about. That project is the Sabinaria Natural Reserve, located in the Darién region of northwestern Colombia, close to the border with Panama. This is an incredibly rich rainforest area, still poorly studied, and it happens to be the only place on Earth where the striking palm Sabinaria magnifica is found. A few years ago, while visiting the area, it became clear that much of the known habitat of Sabinaria magnifica was privately owned and increasingly exposed to deforestation and land-use change. Given how limited the species’ distribution is, it doesn’t take much habitat loss to create serious long-term risks. With that in mind and with crucial support from the International Palm Society, we were able to acquire and legally protect 50 hectares of tropical rainforest, securing what we believe is a meaningful portion of the global habitat and population of Sabinaria magnifica. Today, that forest is permanently protected as a private natural reserve. What makes this especially rewarding is that Sabinaria magnifica also works as an umbrella species. By protecting its habitat, we’re also conserving many other threatened organisms that depend on the same intact forest. This includes species like the critically endangered harlequin frog Atelopus fronterizo and the rare tree Magnolia sambuensis, along with many other plants and animals that are still little known. For us, Sabinaria is much more than a single-species project. It reflects a broader way of doing conservation: protecting habitat first, learning directly from the field, working with local communities, and committing to long-term stewardship rather than short-term interventions. I’m really glad to be here and look forward to learning from all of you, sharing updates from the field, and exchanging ideas about palms and their conservation around the world. I am also sharing some images showing the Sabinaria palm and its natural habitat. Finally, it is very important to thank and recognize the important support and participation of biologists Norman Echavarría, Norberto López, Saul Hoyos, Gloria Galeano and Rodrigo Bernal. Without them this project would not be a reality. PS: I will come back soon with additional information and images. Warm regards from Colombia, Sebastián Salvamontes Colombia

I had three of these growing in my courtyard . When grew into afternoon sun , they died . Mine just did not handle being exposed to direct sun at all. Harry

Just give them shade and water, they don’t seem to fussy about soil. They are quite fast growing as well!

Not very long at all to germinate 5 to 8 weeks, bottom heating 30 degrees Celsius, coco coir perlite mix just slightly damp for germination. My growing medium is 60 percent coco peat, 30 percent good quality potting mix, 20 percent perlite, with volcanic crushed rock powder. I don’t overwater them as seedlings they don’t like too much water especially in winter. I also use Agrifos a systemic fungicide for root disease. I have some in my garden in black sandy loam soil.

Oh nice haha I thought you were in Florida. So we have a similar inland valley Mediterranean climate. That’s even more reassuring. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ti plants grow that tall except in Florida.

The brown tips are a sign of overwatering, indoors elegans are very tolerant of dry soil. So maybe a bit too much love in the water department. As for fertiliser a slow release osmocote is fine or you could use a liquid seaweed fertiliser next time you water but only fertilise in summer and follow the manufactures recommendations, even go a little under the rate recommended less is best.

Definitely not Pritchardia so it can’t be native to the islands. I agree with Sabal yapa. If you ever read that a particular palm species requires full sun to be healthy, take it with a grain of salt. Dozens of my “full sun required” palms are in full shade and are perfectly happy. Many even look better in full shade than in the sun.

Hey Meg. Would love to have seeds or seedlings if ever available.

I agree with Sabal yapa

Looking up to this Sabal fronds

Billy, I can revisit this post and say hurricane milton at 110mph didnt budge my alfredii one cm. Half the the older leaves bend down and will brown prematurely because of it. But 17 months later it has recovered almost as fast as my 35-40' sabal causiarum. Interestingly my 35' bismarckia has had a rapid recovery after every open leaf was made limp in the wind. MY best advice for BA is to water consistently as wide as the crown and even a bit wider. THis encourages root growth which stabilizes the palm in wind. All 3 of my BA's took leaf damage, the one in most shade had the most damage, but zero tilting, NADA. Remember that taller palms see the worst damage in a hurricane as the most leverage is exerted on the roots by wind blowing ont he crown. The other thing I love about my alfredii is trimming dead leaves it is a breeze. Though they clean their own trunks, no trimming could mean 3-4 brown leaves on the palm most of the year. If you want a strong palm in wind, consistent watering of ground at least to the drip line(crown ends) will push root growth laterally. Roots running straight down are not as effective in spreading roots in resisting leverage created by wind. Just basic physics. for your hurricane question here is the result for BA. You can see the royal nearly stripped int he back ground and second pic is sabal causiarum, crown 90% snapped leaves or bent down and doomed to premature browning. BA/Royal sabal causiarum before milton the day after milton close up causiarum looking up just after milton Causiarum as of 1-24-2026, first thing it did is set seed as you can see. Then 10-12 leaves in one grow season. Its now closer to 40' as new leaves mean new trunk growth Alfredii has also done well, it lost ~10 leaves prematurely and is regrowing the crown, but its encouraging. I expect this grow season the recovery will be complete. .

@Bkue I guess it depends on how you look at it...and what you want. They get to 20-25' tall fronds pretty fast, especially if you find one that's got a base diameter of 6-12" or so. So if you want a palm that gets a BIG crown it may take ~2 years from this size: If your target is a lot of bare trunk, then Alfredii is probably not your huckleberry. I'm not sure that anyone knows the real "average rate of trunk growth," since Alfredii is a newly discovered palm. Based on pictures at Searle and @sonoranfans, maybe 1 foot per year? That's a bonus to me. You get a large palm with an impressive crown, and it doesn't turn into a 50' tall lightning rod in 5 years. I'm currently chopping down some Queens with 20' of trunk. One died of apparent Thielaviopsis, and two more look like they are infected and dropping fronds fast. 5 years to go from a 3G pot to 20' of trunk is not a bonus, imo. I'd much rather have ones that get a full crown fast, and then get trunk at a moderate to slow rate.

They looked very Jube-ey nice and round. I'll watch the babies grow with anticipation. Hope mama plant gets more fertile seeds.

I have a (butia x Jubaea) x jubaea from Patric. Because of all the jubaea blood I was reluctant to plant it, wanting to see if its a survivor here in florida. Its been knocked down and around, I hardly water it even in the dry season. Its near 5' overall now in a 25 gallon pot. It has notably less recurve/twist of leaves than my B x J. This year it goes into the ground in a dry spot It is stunted for being in the pot for 7 years from a 4" treepot with bifid leaves. Its a tough palm, been knocked down more than a dozen times by wind but it takes it without flinching.

Dave you are the man and your Jubaea cross is the sh!t.com 🤣 T J

Here’s my big monster with The Shoe for scale.

I’m pretty sure it isn’t the relatively common capitata Jube cross; those have much wider leaflets and are much slower growing.

Must take pics !!! T J

Good to know he's alive and well!

Hello, After a couple of mail exchanges with Patrick Schaefer and After having sent him my order I don't have any more any response from Patrick Schaefer, is this something comon??? This is pretty strange he leaves his clients without notice. I keep on mailing him but still no response!!!! Anyhow, I was looking for the following palm seeds or seedlings, does anyone know any other source to get those??? Thanks. Jubutia X Jubaea Butia YATAY X Jubaea Jubaea x Butia YATAY Jubaea x syagrus romanzofiana Syagrus romanzofiana x Jubaea Butia eriospatha x Jubaea Jubaea x Butia eriospatha

Seedlings are SOLD!

My first thought was are you sure you didn't purchase a coconut. Nice palm!

That's disgustingly cheap. It's just wrong!

Hey Guys, I Live in Arizona so not really a fair price comparison to Florida but I just bought this B Alfredii from a local nursery for $199 a few weeks ago. I had no intention of buying anything but when I saw this and the price I had to buy it. Seeing the $399 one in Florida makes me feel great about my purchase. I will keep it in a pot until spring and then plant near my pool. I have it in a screened porch for now. It’s hitting the ceiling which is 8 feet high.

I did not purchase, unfortunately it's too cold where I live. I was just posting so anyone interested could find one. They had a lot of them. I'm glad to help with justification, another tactic might be to work a day of overtime or have a garage sale to pay for it.

Very nice purchase for a palm that has prolly been in a pot for over 5years easy. Instant gratification and I can't wait to see its progress on here =) 1$ a day is how I'm gonna convince my wife on my next large palm purchase haha wish me luck ....

Looks great, everyone. A very worthy addition to any palm garden. I saw some for sale in Orlando the other day. $399, bigger than it looks in the picture, about 6-7' not counting the pot. I don't know if that's a good price but other plants in the nursery were on the expensive side, I thought. They also had smaller sizes for $199 and $299.

You all have great BAs. Nothing special here but mine is on the right track. 18 months growth.

Nice alfrediis gents! I planted 2 of them not quite two years ago, and have been impressed with their growth. Faster than B.fenestralis and much faster than B.madagascariensis. This is the faster of my two...the oldest three leaves were the largest leaves when I planted them....they just pump them out! It will be interesting to see how big they are after this coming summer...hopefully we get some good rain and heat. Dec 2017 October 2019

I have waaaaaaay too many of Patric’s hybrids and the garden is too wet to go wandering around, but here’s a couple just to play. B paraguayensis x P cocoides and JxS. (My phone looks like it will post these in reverse.)

Any 2 year old pics of the kids ?