Puerto Rico - palms, nurseries, gardens?

[Palmaholic John]

Hi all,

My wife and I travel to Puerto Rico every year to vacation, surf, and relax in the rainforest. Twice, I've collected some Pritchardia and Ptychosperma seeds and have had good success...my tallest 7 yr old P.Pacifica has a few feet of trunk even though it almost completely defoliates every winter. (I'll try to take a picture later today when the sun is up) I'd like to find a nice palm garden and/or nursery on the island to visit....any suggestions? Also, which palm seeds/seedlings would you seek out and bring home?

PS... I had once purchased some seeds from a nursery owner and Palm Society member (online) in Puerto Rico. He was a very nice guy...and, he even sent me some additional Euterpe oleracea seeds a few months later because he knew I'd be interested in them. Unfortunately, I've lost his contact info. Could it be you?

[DALION]

The University of San Juan has a nice botanical garden with lost of palms. As far as nurseries are concerned, I don't know of any but when there you could ask the locals.

[NatureGirl]

Hi all,

My wife and I travel to Puerto Rico every year to vacation, surf, and relax in the rainforest. Twice, I've collected some Pritchardia and Ptychosperma seeds and have had good success...my tallest 7 yr old P.Pacifica has a few feet of trunk even though it almost completely defoliates every winter. (I'll try to take a picture later today when the sun is up) I'd like to find a nice palm garden and/or nursery on the island to visit....any suggestions? Also, which palm seeds/seedlings would you seek out and bring home?

PS... I had once purchased some seeds from a nursery owner and Palm Society member (online) in Puerto Rico. He was a very nice guy...and, he even sent me some additional Euterpe oleracea seeds a few months later because he knew I'd be interested in them. Unfortunately, I've lost his contact info. Could it be you?

Hi John,

I think you may be thinking of Mike Dahme. If you email me I'll send you his email. I think he's in PR right now. He knows all the good spots.

Charlene Beachpalms@cfl.rr.com

[edbrown_III]

Jardim Botanico in Rio Piedras --- is a large garden I saw large plantings of many species of Sabal , species, all the PR native palms -- large Coryphas Bismarkia etc. Native Royals and Acrocomias are all oer the place. --- EL Yunque about 1 hour away is a national park and full of Prestoa montana -- or what ever it is called these days. Drive rt 2 to Aquadilla and ramey and you can see the native Sabal

you can find wild ones growing in the woods if you take the side roads to Isabella. You will see lots of royals acrocomias and if you take side roads you can find Gaussia species up in the mogotes but you have to walks some.

UPR has botanic garden has many species including African and Central american oil palms. Dahme lives up in Barraquitas --- theres a road that runs along the mountain tops where you can see lots of the sierra palms (P. montana)Cyathea arbole and Alsophilla bryophilla -- its a lovely drive but the roads are switch back like west Va.

I drove over the mountains from Rt 2 --- I think the road is 10 and it goes to Utuado--- you can see the ocassional Sabal as well as the Coccothrinax species they have there.

Best regards

Ed

[Palmaholic John]

Thanks everyone for your replies...we've now added each of these locations to our trip agenda. Prestoa montana is on my 'Wish List' ...so, I really hope to collect some seeds while I'm there.

I've attached pics of two of the Pritchardias that I've grown from hand-gathered Puerto Rican seeds. Thanks again.

Charlene...I think you're right, I'm going to send you an email.

[Mantis sp.]

Thanks everyone for your replies...we've now added each of these locations to our trip agenda. Prestoa montana is on my 'Wish List' ...so, I really hope to collect some seeds while I'm there.

I've attached pics of two of the Pritchardias that I've grown from hand-gathered Puerto Rican seeds. Thanks again.

Charlene...I think you're right, I'm going to send you an email.

Hy all!!

Im recomended "Boqueana" nurseries near Mayaguez..in west side island taking the #2 xpress road to West.....its really amazing in palms and tropical flora!!!

Its a home run!!!

Edited December 28, 2011 by Mantis sp.