Utah Yard Projects

[RyManUtah]

Sparrows (Spizella passerina arizonae) have been wreaking havoc on my vegetable seedlings. I don’t particularly want to scare off the birds, because I generally enjoy them. This was my compromise. Birds out, but allows bees in. Hopefully performs okay. Rigged together based on what I had on hand. If it performs well, I’ll do all four boxes.  Thoughts? 

 

[sipalms]

https://vegepod.co.nz/ is what you've basically made! I've got one and it's great. Birds and bugs out, light shade, self watering, easy access.... The list goes on.

[RyManUtah]

Would it be acceptable to plant a T. nova here? Or is that just asking for trouble? Red is power. 

other option is cut a square out in the concrete. I will have a palm on this side of the driveway. Not optional 

(There is an irrigation tap buried there that I can use, no worries.)

[RyManUtah]

Plotting out my plans for the front. Should have plenty of room for what I want to do! Getting excited. 

the 7’ section will be home to a Jubaea. It was about 6’6” on one side and 7”7” of clearance at the widest 

[Chester B]

I think you have room if you don't have any issues with the fronds growing against the side of the house.  I would take more care to water it as there isn't much area for absorption, but I imagine that's a requirement regardless where you live.

[RyManUtah]

7 hours ago, Chester B said:

I think you have room if you don't have any issues with the fronds growing against the side of the house.  I would take more care to water it as there isn't much area for absorption, but I imagine that's a requirement regardless where you live.

Good to know, thanks. I don’t have an issue with it. That wall is only a few feet high, so it will be over it sat some point. It’s my side fence. Our fences are block or metal, so they don’t warp in the sun, or at least I’ve always assumed. 
You’re right. Nursing my wobbling fortunei back into health, Ive noticed I cannot possibly water it too much. 

[RyManUtah]

Getting the other cages made. Cold front moving through this week. After that, I’ll plant out all my veggies. 

[RyManUtah]

xbutiagrus got planted. Being the time that it is, I decided not to travel and mail ordered. Not the 15-30g size I was after, but it should do fine.
 

Here is the newest member, the Muley.  

 

[RyManUtah]

Quite pleased so far. It’s magnificent when it catches a breeze. 
 

[Dartolution]

@RyManUtah can I ask where you got that one from?

 

[RyManUtah]

4 minutes ago, Dartolution said:

@RyManUtah can I ask where you got that one from?

 

I got it from Mule Palms of Mississippi. Arrived well packaged. No pot, wrapped rootball in soil

[Dartolution]

@RyManUtah thats were I got mine from. Same here. I potted mine up in a 14 inch pot or so, haven't seen a whole lot of growth out of it so far. Its just kind of chilling for now. 

 

[RyManUtah]

1 hour ago, Dartolution said:

@RyManUtah thats were I got mine from. Same here. I potted mine up in a 14 inch pot or so, haven't seen a whole lot of growth out of it so far. Its just kind of chilling for now. 

 

Nice! I just set it in a pot overnight to take its photo ha. Good to know. It will be interesting to compare their growth in our areas. 

[Chester B]

Did you call them directly?  Last time I checked the website said sold out.

I can get medium - huge ones locally but they are not that cheap and very yellow from being in pots forever...

Edited April 14, 2020 by Chester B

[RyManUtah]

1 hour ago, Chester B said:

Did you call them directly?  Last time I checked the website said sold out.

I can get medium - huge ones locally but they are not that cheap and very yellow from being in pots forever...

I did not. I was able to add it to my cart. That was a couple of weeks ago though. Took a little over a week to get to me.  It was the biggest size that offered shipping, I think 3 gallon? 

[RyManUtah]

L. nitida.

Been looking forward to this beauty. 

 

[RyManUtah]

Bonus picture. Some awesomeness happening the the sky this afternoon. 
 

[RyManUtah]

Comparing growth reports for one week. Some may find it interesting. I’m fascinated by these kinds of things, myself.
 

Marked with a sharpie on the lowest spear points, 11 April 2020. Overall pleased. 
 

xButiagrus nabonnandii 

 

Washingtonia robusta 

 

Washingtonia filifera 

 

Brahea armata 

 

Trachycarpus princeps 

[8B palms]

Where did you purchase your L nitida from? It looks super healthy.

[RyManUtah]

6 hours ago, 8B palms said:

Where did you purchase your L nitida from? It looks super healthy.

Agreed. I got it from Phil Bergman. I’m very happy with it. 

[8B palms]

Do you recall which size you purchased 2 gallon?

[RyManUtah]

14 minutes ago, 8B palms said:

Do you recall which size you purchased 2 gallon?

Yes it was a 2gallon. This specimen was one he found tucked away one where and offered it to me. I accepted, because it is very large for a 2g. More comparable in size to a 7g or larger palm. 

[Chester B]

I bought nitida from @TexasColdHardyPalms 

Left it in the pot until 2 gallon size and planted it out the other day. Very reasonable price.  

[RyManUtah]

1 hour ago, Chester B said:

I bought nitida from @TexasColdHardyPalms 

Left it in the pot until 2 gallon size and planted it out the other day. Very reasonable price.  

Do you know how to get ahold of him? He hasn’t been active. I’d like to get some S minors from him, while I’m on this mail order palm kick. I feel like other than rainfall, his climate is really similar to mine. 

[kinzyjr]

8 hours ago, RyManUtah said:

Do you know how to get ahold of him? He hasn’t been active. I’d like to get some S minors from him, while I’m on this mail order palm kick. I feel like other than rainfall, his climate is really similar to mine. 

https://texascoldhardypalms.com/contact

[Chester B]

13 hours ago, RyManUtah said:

Do you know how to get ahold of him? He hasn’t been active. I’d like to get some S minors from him, while I’m on this mail order palm kick. I feel like other than rainfall, his climate is really similar to mine. 

I don't think he's been on in a while.  Probably the website like @kinzyjr has suggested.  I did buy some decent size Sabal minors from him that didn't travel well.  I do still have two mules from him too that I've now planted one.  The nitida I got from him seems to be a pretty vigorous and easy going palm so far.

[Chester B]

My L nitida for comparison

[RyManUtah]

Here’s mine currently. I mistakenly assumed because its springtime, it would be fine to put this guy in the ground immediately. After I week I found something to give him some afternoon shade. 


got sunburn pretty badly. He is actively growing, though. So I’d imagine new growth will be fine. Just in time. The hot days are coming. 

[RyManUtah]

Cactus blossom update 

[RyManUtah]

Posting these updates here, for those not following the cactus ID thread and want to see the blossoms. 
 

[RyManUtah]

[RyManUtah]

A question for anyone with experience on overhead watering. 
 

While it’s not a long term thing, I will likely have the grass for the remaining of growing season this year. I water the grass enough to keep it alive and somewhat healthy. You can see by the how much greener the grass is around the trees, that I usually just water the trees until the grass becomes water stressed. Then I water early, before it gets hot, but with some light so I can see any problems. 

im currently not covering the mule or the robustas. The robustas won’t care. They’re seed grown, and I flooded the crowns many times for several of the fittest. 

the only reason I’m not covering the mule like the other palms while watering, is it’s size and structure. The filifera are nitida are small enough to be covered with a pot for a bit. The Brahea and mule are much larger. The brahea fronds will support a tarp by themselves. The mule palm will not. 
 

should I stop this? I’m not sure if it will create unwanted problems later. It doesn’t seem to mind so far.  Green as can be and has grown upwards of fourth inches since planting. 

[Allen]

I don't think it's too big a deal.   Maybe someone else will chime in.  Think greenhouses with overhead irrigation and the rain forest.   Wet during the night when fungus can grow or when it's cool and dark is most problematic is why I water my grass early morning.

[RyManUtah]

Throwing out some updates since I haven’t been online in a while. 
 

Starting with Cereus repandus, because it was given a permanent home today. This one actually sent two blooms whilst still in it’s pot. I did stay up to watch them open of course, but the photos look better in the daylight. 
 

 

[RyManUtah]

Livistona nitida is coming out of its desert shock. It hasn’t grown in weeks and this frond flush has happened in three days. 

[RyManUtah]

Brahea armata is pushing its second and third new fronds. 
 

[RyManUtah]

Opuntia santarita? Is this the correct species or just common name? Flushed full of yellow flowers, immediately followed by exploded growth. 

 

[RyManUtah]

Sabal palmettos are responding well to the heat. Each frond gets longer and wider. Can’t wait to see them open someday. I’ve had these for about a year, in ground less. Thanks again Jeremy. 

[RyManUtah]

Washingtonia robusta and butiagrus both doing well as expected 

[RyManUtah]

Desert daisies use a little more water than expected, but that are doing well. 
 

Sphaeralcea ambigua doing well as expected. These are native to the area so I don’t do anything to them.