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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.

Exciting New Additions We are very grateful for the continued support through 2025 and into 2026, and are thrilled to announce our updated price list to kick off the growing season. This includes some exciting new additions and old favorites, see the preview below for some highlights: Chrysalidocarpus aff. ovobontsira One of the most exciting new palms, a large Chrysalidocarpus species that came in under the name ovobontsira, but ended up being something more exciting, a palm that doesn't fit neatly into any description and is apparently new to science. It is a gorgeous, moderately fast growing palm with a striking white pruinose crownshaft, upper trunk, petioles, and spadices. Finally available for your own garden/nursery! Orania disticha Hailing from Papua New Guinea, this amazing palm is one of the select set of species that carries its leaves on a single plane, giving the crown a distinctive 'flat' appearance. A great talking point for the tropical / semi-tropical garden. Physokentia petiolata This exceedingly rare Fijian palm has been an extended labor of love to bring into cultivation. The purple crownshaft, bright red inflorescence, and stilt roots make this a unique showstopper palm that inspires and delights. Geonoma oldemanii A clustering Geonoma from Brazil / French Guiana with beautiful large bifid leaves, the newest ones showing a splash of red. A great 'eye level' palm that adds an interesting accent to well planned gardens. Zamia elegantissima A new cycad for the spring list - a stunning landscape specimen with petioles that are relatively spineless compared to others in the genus. All this and many more, available now on our price list! Visit https://floribunda.xyz/pricelist Lemurophoenix halleuxii

Chuniophoenix nana!

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.

Here are some in Southern California! The small one is growing in the Sonoran Desert in El Centro, CA - survived two years so far!

I was just curious if anyone has had success with growing these in California. I've seen a photo of a nice looking one in Ensenada, Mexico before, so wondering if anyone has had one in California. I am growing a couple in the imperial valley of California and the one below has made it through two winters and one summer without any damage, but also with minimal growth. Also pictured are Dictyosperma album and Hypophorbe langenicaulis handing the desert heat for their third year now without issue!

Double flames?

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

I’m growing a few of these out here, in central San Diego. They are D. Album var. Conjugatum. I believe they came as small liners from John Light, in Florida, maybe around 2017. Planted them about two years ago, and they’ll get more sun this coming year, with some changes to the yard. Southwest/Western exposure, mostly. They’ve been slower, but steady growers. There is a patio overhang without a gutter, so there’s have gotten a decent amount of roof runoff. Still working out the placement of the rocks.

Tucked the atrovirens away for winter, see how she goes, we will see how cool tolerant they are. And the old kangaroo hopping around the garden!

Couple of dypsis species basilonga and prestonia

My golden Christmas ready to go in the ground caught my eye. Full sun for full yellow color.

Sabal Yapa new frond

Here's one in La Quinta, CA! Apparently it's from a coconut brought from Maui, HI!

We embark on a palm buying junket tomorrow to San Diego county. One member has requested Cocothrinax scoparia, However, this species epithet is not listed in Henderson's "Palms of the Americas". It is listed on Palmpedia, and the same situation for C. montana. ( I purchased seeds of C. montana from Meg in Florida.) In the past I would search for "Kew Monocot checklist", however today I was not able to access that resource. So,...what name is used for the palm in the pine forest at 4000 feet elevation on the island of Hispaniola ? Please advise, thanks

Chuniophoenix hainanensis. One of my favourites. I saw this specimen last year, it’s a beauty!

Thanks Harry!

@peachy I was not going to let this one pass this time, I regretted not purchasing it last year, well this year it was up for grabs and grab I did! It was even in flower so there may be hope a seed or two if the palm gods are watching!

Dictyosperma album first flowering: Only male flowers in the inflorescence, this can happen at the first flowering. For other information on this species: https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/dictyosperma-album/?lang=en

Cocothrinax Alta looking good!

Red Latania

Interesting thread and one which I also missed. Thanks richnorm for the pdf link, outstanding! Although a bit off topic, it seemed like a good place to post a few photos of C. alpinum. Planted out as a small seedling 15 years ago, the going has been oh so slow. Zone pushing in reverse, but it’s still alive. It seems to be coming out of suspended animation and showing some obvious growth. Thanks for the ‘bump’, it provided a bit of inspiration. Tim

Here’s a nice one for you, shade grown 26 years old, not flowering as of yet, a little tolerant of dry conditions, and taking temperatures around 2 degrees Celsius. They will drink as much water you give them, good drainage is the key to success for this palm!

This is what royals in the area look like. All seem to be pushing green. I've actually see a couple of coconuts that looked like they are recovering too.

A nice new planting area with a nice pacsoa Pinanga sarawakensis!

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

With some good rain in the garden and a spot of irrigation, has the chamaedoreas loving autumn!

The rhizomatosa I purchased at last years pacsoa show certainly has enjoyed the short time it’s been planted in the garden. Quite a beautiful palm and easy to propagate! The leaf sheaths get a nice yellow green colour and you can certainly tell the rhizomatosa is indeed a different chamaedorea to its cousins. Quite an ornamental palm.

It’s an understory dream planting project, totally changes the palms you can grow not to mention the tropical ornamental plants!🌱

Shade grown dictyosperma album.

Chambeyronia pyriformis finally.... opening its first new leaf since planting 6 months ago. I'm impressed by how much sun it has taken here in seq.

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

Hetrospathe scitula looking pretty good!

I live about 30 miles due east of Kilauea summit. Of course, I live directly ON Kilauea, just the lower slopes. The spectacular fountaining two days ago was episode 43. These have been happening roughly every two weeks for the last 15 months, but each one only last a few hours. It is difficult to catch them unless you happen to already be in the park when it starts. Despite being so close, I have not seen the 300-400 m high fountains in person. Surprisingly, all these eruptions have had essentially no impact on me. All the action is within the caldera. I did get a dusting of Pele's hair (fiber glass) from episode 41 or 42 several weeks ago. I had to disconnect my roof's rain gutters from my catchment tank until rain washed it off. Otherwise, I might as well be in Ohio. I have been more worried about big earthquakes, but so far I only felt one minor M4.5 a couple months ago. Fingers crossed. Here is what the recent eruption looked like on weather radar. Doppler radar sees the steam and ash cloud rising over 3,000 m, not the actual lava fountains. Today the island is covered in red and orange as a massive storm slowly passes over.

Vanda Nopporn Golden Dream x Taweesooksa #58

I tucked my ones in today on a nice warm toasty heat mat!

Dear Grandmasters and Palm Enthusiasts, I am erupting with pure botanical joy! Today, March 15th, 2026, I can confirm an absolute vertical wonder on my Balkon-Fortress in Arbon/Stachen (Lake Constance, Switzerland). My Caryota mitis, situated on the 4th floor at 443 meters above sea level, is showing an incredible vitality eruption. The Exposure: Despite being in the shade at 443m, my Intertronic station recorded a local heat pocket of 16.5°C, while the surrounding region is significantly cooler at 6.0 -9°C . The Resilience: The trunk is rock-solid and cannot be pulled out (zero spear rot). New green shoots are emerging directly from the center. The Micro-Climate: This 4th-floor micro-climate proves that elevation and vertical positioning can create unique survival pockets for species often considered too tender for Zone 8a. The Caryota mitis on the 4th floor lives! The Arbon/Stachen-Sog of vertical life is unstoppable!

Starting to get a better feel for things now that some time and warmer weather has gone by. This rain we are getting will also help give a push. Everything already got a dose of granular fertilizer plus some liquid feeds here and there. Now it's mostly a waiting game. Of my 3 big Coconuts, I'm seeing some green on at least one of them which is encouraging. Satakentia is still an unknown. Royals seem to be putting some green out and same with my 3 big Foxtails, thank goodness. Archies are all doing well with a couple exceptions that are in limbo. Still not sure of my twin trunk Hurricane palm....and the single Adonidia next to it. My big Bottle might make it. My Pandamus is now done. Entire tip clusters just dropping right off. Riding it out....

That's really young to be flowering. I would take that as an opportunity to try hybridisation!

I got seed from this batch too. I contacted RPS to ask about the origin as I’ve always been on the hunt for the true species. I also asked about the 2018 batch. Their response was that previously their source from early 2000s through to 2018 was not experienced with ID and they’ve re traced the origin and confirmed these palms are C vogelianum. I still find it a bit hard to believe considering they are visible unique species but their range does overlap and C parvifrons in particular can be a bit variable. The recent batch (and I’m assuming the new batch available now on RPS) is supposedly confirmed to be true C parvifrons. They sent me this photo of a mother plant which looks to me to be the real deal and also a form with very well developed crownshaft which is desirable. After a bit over 5 months my first seed germinated. Nearly 6 months since sowing now and I’m up to 5 out of about 50 seeds. I’m hoping for and expecting more as the seed all still looks good.

A few chamaedorea adscendens to pot up, such a lovely palm to grow very rewarding. A few large form dasyanthas and the very slow to do anything masoala Madagascariensis, the date on the tag says it all, iam a slow grower, even had a few still germinating so dont give up on them. Treat them like Howea species my advice!

Trachies are tough too. Rooting for all of you!

@ZPalms keep us updated, mules are tough! If you lose this one, try again. If you don't plant it a buddy!

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.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Got the Alfredii installed yesterday. I still need to plant around it. I have agaves for the bottom row and some cordyline and dipledanias for the upper row. I also installed a teddy bear palm for the entry way. My privacy screen includes arenga engleri(dwarf sugar palm) and a small king palm. It’s still not finished. My gardener is going to cover it and mulch it and install lights. Will post another update once it’s completed.

I'd guess 1970s +/- I think Butia appearance is just a lottery. 95% of them don't do it for me with the wiry wispy unkept open crown look. Nothing to do with manicure imo. Most mules inherit the trait too, don't like most of them either 😅