Jump to content
NEW PALMTALK FEATURE - CHECK IT OUT ×

  • WELCOME GUEST

    It looks as if you are viewing PalmTalk as an unregistered Guest.

    Please consider registering so as to take better advantage of our vast knowledge base and friendly community.  By registering you will gain access to many features - among them are our powerful Search feature, the ability to Private Message other Users, and be able to post and/or answer questions from all over the world. It is completely free, no “catches,” and you will have complete control over how you wish to use this site.

    PalmTalk is sponsored by the International Palm Society. - an organization dedicated to learning everything about and enjoying palm trees (and their companion plants) while conserving endangered palm species and habitat worldwide. Please take the time to know us all better and register.

    guest Renda04.jpg

Mine's the Biggest in Southern California -- that's a bit personal, isn't it?

DoomsDave

By DoomsDave
in TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

 Share

Recommended Posts

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted

Howdyall:

After roaring out to take other pictures, I noted that my Ravenala madagascarensis was big.

Might even be the biggest in So-Cal.

So, I took some pictures of it. Where the leaves begin is at the top of my head, six feet about 2 m off the ground.

If you've got a bigger one, let's see it. Even if it's not in So-Cal.

post-208-0-16215600-1356471271_thumb.jpg

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Here's a closeup of the trunk, with the Shoe for scale. American Size 13, 12.5" 32 cm long.

post-208-0-55158300-1356471709_thumb.jpg

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ho Kay . .

Here's a closeup of the Copernicia alba right next to it.

No, Virginia, that palm AIN'T cuddly. Be a good girl or daddy might toss you in there . . .

post-208-0-17196100-1356484859_thumb.jpg

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Egad, I have to emphasize that's just a joke, Ginny babe . . .

Egad, nasty spines, like cat claws.


post-208-0-07888900-1356484921_thumb.jpg

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Walt Grand Master

Walt

Posted
Posted

Hey, my foot size is a baker's dozen also (that's size 13 for those who aren't familar with the cliche)!

That's a nice looking Ravanela Mad. Has it ever seeded for you?

I bought a Rav. Mad. from Home Depot about 10 years ago as a 15 gallon size (no developed trunk). I planted it out so the fronds fanned out from north to south. Next to it a planted a giant white bird of paradise. I purposely juxtaposed them to see how they would both fare during freezes and frosts. The WBOP is supposed to be rated as a USDA zone 9b, whereas the Rav. Mad. a USDA zone 10a.

Well, after 10 winters of observing both plants, I've concluded the USDA ratings are correct. I've found that my Rav. Mad. can take down to around 30 degrees (bottom of zone 10a) without damage, but below that the damage starts; by 25 degrees it's total toast! On the other hand, I've concluded my WBOP, while zone 9b, is at the very top of 9b, not the bottom of 9b. At best, it's 3 degrees more cold/frost hardy.

My Rav. Mad at one time, say when it only had about 3 feet of trunk, its petioles and leaves were much longer than they are now. But my Rav. Mad. was wiped out by a hard freeze, and ever since then the petioles and leaves aren't near as long, and that's been for many years now.

It was mostly defoliated last winter, save for maybe the three newest fronds. Over all these years my Rav. Mad. cranks out 11 fronds a year without fail, never any exceptions thus far.

I love these plants, BTW. I also have two other smaller clumps planted elsewhere on my property. I had a fourth clump but it was killed during the January 2010 and/or December 2010 freezes.

My Rav. Mad. has flowered three times. I once looked for seeds but could find none. At the time I didn't really know what I was looking for. However, two years ago I ordered some seed (none germinated, BTW) and now I know what they look like. I plan on cutting off my flower bract and checking for seeds. I'd love to start some more of these plants. I know I could separate (divide) some of the suckers I already have, but I really don't want to distrub the roots of my main plant.

100_9966_zps6886306c.jpg

Above Photo: My Ravenala Madagascariensis (traveler's palm) on left (with some suckers growing from it) with pothos vines growing up the trunk. To the right is a Strelitzia nicolai (white bird of paradise). In left foreground is a small Kigelia africana (sausage tree) that never grows big as it gets frozen back too many winters.

100_9964_zps7dbefd1d.jpg

Above Photo: Spent flower bract on my traveler's palm. Sometimes I get two flower bracts, but this year only one.

Mad about palms

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

R. mad flowers, and flowers and flowers, etc.

No seeds. I understand that lemurs are required for pollination, in short supply here in the States.

Hmm. They're primates. We're primates. Why hasn't anyone just pollinated R. mads themselves?

Any thoughts?

And, Walt, merry Christmas.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Walt Grand Master

Walt

Posted
Posted
R. mad flowers, and flowers and flowers, etc.

No seeds. I understand that lemurs are required for pollination, in short supply here in the States.

Hmm. They're primates. We're primates. Why hasn't anyone just pollinated R. mads themselves?

Any thoughts?

And, Walt, merry Christmas.

Well, that explains why I can't find any seeds (lemurs are in short supply here -- real short supply!). Merry Christmas to you, too. Hope Santa brought you a new pair of Chuck Taylors!

Mad about palms

aloetom Enthusiast

aloetom

Posted
Posted

HI Dave,

Do you know about the two at Downtown Disney ?

I haven't seen them in a year or two, but they were quite big as well.

BigFrond Mentor

BigFrond

Posted
Posted

That's pretty big Dave but this one in Oceanside got you beat. I've seen this plant a couple of dozen times. I believe this is an older pix from Google.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4110+Thomas+Street,+Oceanside,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.197166,-117.287368&spn=0.004399,0.00663&sll=33.197409,-117.287295&layer=c&cbp=13,230.1,,1,2.66&cbll=33.197166,-117.287148&hnear=4110+Thomas+St,+Oceanside,+San+Diego,+California+92056&t=h&z=17&panoid=BRCcqT_-IYndLf6ORYcDfw

Walt Grand Master

Walt

Posted
Posted

I went back and looked for a photo of when my traveler's palm looked its best (full canopy of fronds) but realized I didn't have any photos of it. I did find one photo when it was approaching the best it ever looked, but that was 10 months before.

The below photo was taken on 2-25-08 (I cropped the photo so as to enlarge it, thus the date stamp is missing. I always try to incorporate a date stamp for historical documentation purposes).

What I do know was that during the winter of 2008-2009 I had a bad freeze that totally defoliated my traveler's palm's fronds, and after that time the fronds never seemed to grow as long. In any event, I recall taking photos of my traveler's palm in late 2008 when it looked the best, and I recall counting it had 24 green fronds on it. The fronds spanned almost 180 degrees. So, my Traveler's palm develops 11 full fronds (and one emerging) fronds each year; hence, it should take it just over two years to grow a full crown. Right now my traveler's palm has about one year's growth of fronds. If by chance it makes it through this winter without frond damage, by the end of 2013 is should almost have a full crown of fronds again.

Travelerspalm2-25-08_zpsace6a144.jpg

Above photo: I took this photo on 2-25-08 while having a contractor do some clearing work near it using a Bobcat with front claws attachment. By the end of 2008 my traveler's palm had about 9-10 more fronds on it.

Mad about palms

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, maybe not 15 feet, but a lot more than mine.


But mine's a lot more rubust . .. :)

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

  • 3 weeks later...
Luisd Community Regular

Luisd

Posted
Posted

This traveler´s tree is in the garden where I work, was planted six years ago, and has grown fast.

post-3315-0-87331000-1358191423_thumb.jp

the plant is on the right, was planted without trunk, and is now higher than the other, that had some trunk.

post-3315-0-44093300-1358191691_thumb.jp

post-3315-0-59631800-1358191865_thumb.jp

old flowers have capsules, but these never have seeds, why?

post-3315-0-26302400-1358192006_thumb.jp

sur4z Grand Master

sur4z

Posted
Posted

Here's mine...it wasn't very pretty so I chopped most of it down last week.

post-1122-0-85438400-1358280804_thumb.jp

The weight of lies will bring you down / And follow you to every town / Cause nothin happens here

That doesn't happen there / So when you run make sure you run / To something and not away from

Cause lies don't need an aero plane / To chase you anywhere

--Avett Bros

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...