Welcome to Roebelenii Island!

[JT in Japan]

Otherwise known as Hachijo-jima. This small island 200 kilometers south of Tokyo is technically part of metropolitan Tokyo, but out here in the middle of the Pacific, they’re not city folk, and boy do they like their Phoenix Roebellenii!

For the 8,000 people living here, growing “Roebie” goes far beyond hobby gardening – this diminutive palm provides over 50% of the island’s agricultural GDP, and these island farmers and nurserymen/women supply 99% of the Roebie palms bought and sold throughout the entirety of Japan.

[JT in Japan]

All over the island, you’ll find wild and semi-wild plots of Roebie. Some are being worked, some are abandoned, some are up for sale: one advertisement we saw offered a house, a half-acre lot, and 5,000 mature Roebie for any prospective nurseryman or hobbyist ($130K US).

Nurseries and “production” takes many forms. Because of the semi-tropical climate of Hachijo-jima (lows seldom get below 7C and the average annual temperature is 18.3C) and months-on-end of rain, there are more open-sky plots than there are shade houses, but both end up existing to take advantage of the climate and market.

[JT in Japan]

But you’ll be surprised at the output of this enclave of growers. What was startling news for me (and perhaps sacrilege to many on PT) is that the majority of these palms are raised for their long-lasting plumage – yes, the market for Roebie fronds amongst Japanese flower shops “dwarves” the market for traditional potted or balled plants for your garden.

The shears come out constantly, and occasionally severely. We came across several graveyards studded with headless (the horror!) palm trunks. Fronds go for between 10 and 50 cents each; with the opinion that anything below 10-per would kill the market. And the mightly Japan Agriculture (like the US’s NRA lobby, but for plants and growers) has all the ordering, packaging, shipping & distribution locked up tight.

[JT in Japan]

But as you would expect, the gardeners themselves are people just like you and I, out there making a living. Here you see Yamashita-san pruning her small, open-air plot in advance of a storm that will bring salt spray and salt rain which will brown the fronds, thus lowering their price. And Komiyama-san, who has one of the bigger shade house operations on the island, is hanging a Washingtonia from his rafters trying to get a curve.

It’s not all about fronds, of course. People do what they have to do to earn a living on an “outpost.” My wife and I visited a half a dozen nurseries – the traditional kind -- that make their living the way one expects, by growing, buying and selling potted and balled plants.

[JT in Japan]

I mentioned the warm weather earlier, but this is the Pacific; there’s got to be “some” drama. Typhoons as regular here as snow in Edmonton (though maybe not as constant). And typhoons blow things down. We found a field of L. Chinensis (I think) blown over. The irony here, as anyone on PT knows, is that the storm has helped create curving trunks, which actually increase the value (appreciative and often financial) of these palms.

While I love a Roebie as much as the next guy, I was happy to see variety exists on Hachijo-jima as well. Let me show you what else the island has to offer (and I may be wildly off on some of these IDs, so please, knowledgeable ones, jump in and correct me).

Washingtonias line roads all through the island:

As do Livistonia Chinensis:

[JT in Japan]

What look like Trachicarpus something…

They called these just “Kentia,” so I’m not sure if they’re Satakentia, Kentia, or even if there’s a difference… Many of them had ribbons on them with their heights written, obviously preparing for sale.

And these, I think, are Washingtonia…

And finally, I believe these are Chamaerops…

[JT in Japan]

That’s it for now. It was a remarkable 3-day holiday for my wife and I, a palm trip to a lovely palm island, Hachijo-jima.

[Mandrew968]

Thanks for posting!

[Palmarum]

...They called these just “Kentia,” so I’m not sure if they’re Satakentia, Kentia, or even if there’s a difference… Many of them had ribbons on them with their heights written, obviously preparing for sale. ...

Great photos and an interesting view of palm production in Japan. I didn't know it was so extensive. It is nice to see they are still using an idyllic island locale for agriculture. The photo above with the tall Kentia palms is impressive as it appears both species (Howea forsteriana and H. belmoreana) are right next to each other and they are well-grown, elder specimens. What would a 6.75m (22 ft) tall specimen be sold for? They would be eye candy here in S. Florida for sure.

Ryan

[Walter John]

What an interesting place, thanks for posting.

[Alicehunter2000]

Well that was pretty fascinating....didn't realize such a place existed. Those roeb's are very tall.....do they only send them to Japan or are some of these destined for U.S. markets?

[_Keith]

Well that was pretty fascinating....didn't realize such a place existed. Those roeb's are very tall.....do they only send them to Japan or are some of these destined for U.S. markets?

Ditto

[Xerarch]

Nice pics, thanks, the photo labeled Trachycarpus are actually Chamaerops

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

How cool, could be a fabulous climate for rhopies too. I am surprised they don't grow those there.

[JT in Japan]

Well that was pretty fascinating....didn't realize such a place existed. Those roeb's are very tall.....do they only send them to Japan or are some of these destined for U.S. markets?

All go to mainland Japan. Though you can bet I'm scheming ways, now that I know there's a supply *and* demand in some sense, of pushing these toward North American flower shops.

JT

[Alicehunter2000]

Our markets are flooded with cheap P. roeb's but other species may be a better bet.

[JT in Japan]

Great photos and an interesting view of palm production in Japan. I didn't know it was so extensive. It is nice to see they are still using an idyllic island locale for agriculture. The photo above with the tall Kentia palms is impressive as it appears both species (Howea forsteriana and H. belmoreana) are right next to each other and they are well-grown, elder specimens. What would a 6.75m (22 ft) tall specimen be sold for? They would be eye candy here in S. Florida for sure.

Ryan

I tried replying earlier with my phone, but I guess it didn't take. Ryan, it was Sunday by the time I found this yard, so no one was around to ask about prices. But in the spring I'm going to price out a small shipment from the island, and I'll ask about the Howeas (thanks) then.

JT

[JT in Japan]

Nice pics, thanks, the photo labeled Trachycarpus are actually Chamaerops

Thanks Xerarch. I'm proving hopeless with names.

[Jeff Searle]

Wow, what an interesting topic, probably one of the more interesting that I have read in some time. And yes, Phoenix leaves make a great, long lasting cut for flower arriangements. I've used them many times over the years here at the house for parties.

[DoomsDave]

John, great post!

Those "kentias" are Howea forsteriana (on the left) and two H. belmoriana on the right. Very nice, drool inducing specimens here for La La Land.

Do keep up the fascinating posts of Japan!

THe more the better. Don't be afraid to show us the mundane. It won't be here.

[JT in Japan]

Thanks everyone. Your comments are encouraging. I'll leave you with a few pictures that didn't make it into the original narrative, but are still view-worthy (IMHO).

A better picture of that Washingtonia Komiyama-san was trying to bend.

I don't know what these are for sure. L. Chinensis perhaps? But I sure like the green.

Me surveying a Roebie field like a boss.

I'm still kind of obsessing about this find. A completely broken-up, deserted, once-fully glassed in greenhouse,... filled-to-the-udders with thriving, beautiful, green, maturing palms. Did I say "deserted?" Anyone could likely walk into the town office, stake a claim, and immediately own 100 elegant plants. Sigh... (the second picture is the outside.)

Another abandoned site on the island. Though there's a market for roebies, I guess the economy doesn't fully float everyone's boat.

A bowl of sashimi. This restaurant was so in-demand, we actually had to reserve not just our seats, but the number of slices of sashimi we would be ordering. A first for me, after 25 years...(yes, it was purty tasty.)

A cloud.

Shadowplay.

Lining the roads.

Looking up into the Howeas.

Black rock, tilting horizon.

And finally, the island, in relief. Formed by the joining of two volcanoes, both of which are still active. Lava rock beaches, no sand. Home to 8,000 people, most of whom live in the saddle surrounding the airstrip.

[paulgila]

great thread! thanks so much for posting these awesome pics!

[DoomsDave]

Scuh-REEEM!

[Kim]

Really great thread with outstanding photography and commentary. Makes me glad I am not in the nursery business, though. Love your shot of the island in post #7. Japan is a place I'd like to visit soon.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Japan is amazing and to think I never knew about this island.

Thanks for sharing!

[Phoenikakias]

Very nice pics indeed! Japan is said to be so rich in green and animals, due to high rainfall, that it was the only place known in the prehistoric times which hosted big population of food-collectors (in contrast to food producers). So it is no surprise that in a southerly lying pacific island, blessed with cold-mitigating ocean effect palms grow so vigorously.

[Alicehunter2000]

Looks like good surf as well