albuquerque Albuquerque Palm Trees (New to the Forum and Looking Forward to the Future)

[ABQPalms]

Hello,

I am new to this forum but have been following it for a while now. I am a palm enthusiast that has been intrigued by palm trees ever since I noticed that Las Vegas, NV has them back in 1999. I was just a freshman in high school at the time and from then I would visit often as a lot of my family lived there. I then started going down to El Paso and Las Cruces with my dad who was a Regenal Truck Driver and noticed that there were palm trees down there.  Even as far north as T or C. In summer of 2003 I noticed a palm tree in Albuquerque for the first time. I remember that I took a double look and thought to myself "did I just see a palm tree?" I turned around and had to see it again. I was so in awe with what I had saw and immediately went home where I got onto my computer with dial up internet and started researching about palm trees and palm trees in Albuquerque. I remember this one forum by the name of Garden Web I believe and got a little bit of info. Then I started driving around neighborhoods looking for palm trees, spending hours searching for them with quite a fair amount of success. In August of 2003 my parents bought a few small one-gallon Washingtonia Robustas and I planted them immediately not knowing exactly how and when to plant them and it was a failure.  I continued with my research throughout 2004 and into 2005. In April of 2005 I went with my dad again down to Las Cruces and bought a three-foot trunk Washingtonia Robusta, brought it back to Albuquerque, and planted it against a south facing wall. It thrived until 2011. I had a couple more planted along the way and had one Robusta survive the 2011 hard freeze. That one may or may not still be alive but in the spring of 2013, I had a family member living with me (who has landscaping experience) that decided to chop off all the fronds. It already had new growth, and he thought it would grow back faster but all it never did. I moved to a new place in summer of 2014 and in April of 2015 I planted a Robusta that I purchased from Jericho Nursery. It took root really quick. I moved to Phoenix, AZ for work in March of 2016. Every time I would come back and visit, I would check up on the palm I planted, and it was doing very good. While in Arizona I gained my knowledge even more.  I moved back to Albuquerque in August of 2020. I noticed when I moved back that a lot has changed in the flora here. I've noticed a lot of Oleanders are being planted around town, and desert willows grow like weeds now. I've noticed that it has warmed up a little bit too. Besides my first winter back, I've noticed that winters are quite mild. I hadn't had a chance to plant anything yet as I've been living in an apartment until recently. I believe the way to go is Washingtonia Filifera as they are hardy palms and make a statement in the landscape. I plan to plant one or two next spring. I also have about 15 Filifera seeds that I currently have soaking in water. I am going to try to germinate more and hopefully I can sell them in a year or to. My goal is to maybe start a Nursery someday, with my specialty being palm trees as well as other hardy/drought tolerant plants.

 

Well, I appreciate any feedback and support in advance!

[SeanK]

Hey man, catch your breath.

Welcome aboard. If you have any afternoon shade, you might try T.fortunei. When you plant those filifera seeds, give them plenty of room. The crown is about 14 feet across. Those will take full sun.

[ABQPalms]

Hey Sean, thank you! Wow I didn't realize how big my opening post was as I typed it on my desktop.  I think windmills do good if you have a courtyard of some sort as they don't take up too much space. I am more fond of the Washingtonia species and I do know now quite a bit about them.  I think the one I had that survived the 2011 event was in fact a hybrid. I might still have pictures put away somewhere, I just have to find them.  Thanks again for the input!

[DTS]

I bet with a little bit of protection, Phoenix Dactyliferas and Canariensis could live there too

[SailorBold]

Welcome!

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

Welcome. There is no cure for this palm hobby but you can ease the symptoms by getting more palms.  If you want to sell, a known seed source is better for selling to other collectors VS just selling to the general market. You may have already seen this link about the "Moapa" Washingtonia filiferas.  They would probably offer the most pure blood filiferas and be in more demand. 

 

[ABQPalms]

Jeff, I would love to have a source to a pure bloodline specimen! They would seem to be more hardy as they are acclimated to the elements and not so much to an urban heat island. 

 

DTS, I actually do have a couple of Dactyliferas that I am germinating now.  I would like to get a hold of an offshoot one of these days. I believe that Canary Island Date Palms are a little more hardy then Mexican Fan Palms in my opinion, it's just that they are slow growers and a little pricey. 

Sailer Bold, thank you and thank you all.

[flplantguy]

I went to NMSU from 2005 to 2009 and lived in NM from 1999 through 2010. Before that was 3 years in Vegas so im familiar with the changes lately there (and am glad i missed the beginning of 2011!). Its really interesting to see how many more are in Albuquerque than there used to be, and in the right situation there are some stunning plants there, and not just palms.  Welcome to the forum! 

[jwitt]

Welcome to palmtalk.

If you have a spot for planting filifera, I recommend direct sowing the seeds in the ground.  The difference in growth from direct seeding and pot is incredible, and I have had repeated success with rocks and dry leaves for winter protection.

Good luck, we need a local palm source!

[ABQPalms]

Jwitt, I do actually have a couple spots in mind. I was think of trying it out with a seed or two just to see what happens. It seems to me it would make it more hardy. Thank you for the motivation!

[Palmerr]

On 9/9/2024 at 12:27 AM, ABQPalms said:

Hello,

I am new to this forum but have been following it for a while now. I am a palm enthusiast that has been intrigued by palm trees ever since I noticed that Las Vegas, NV has them back in 1999. I was just a freshman in high school at the time and from then I would visit often as a lot of my family lived there. I then started going down to El Paso and Las Cruces with my dad who was a Regenal Truck Driver and noticed that there were palm trees down there.  Even as far north as T or C. In summer of 2003 I noticed a palm tree in Albuquerque for the first time. I remember that I took a double look and thought to myself "did I just see a palm tree?" I turned around and had to see it again. I was so in awe with what I had saw and immediately went home where I got onto my computer with dial up internet and started researching about palm trees and palm trees in Albuquerque. I remember this one forum by the name of Garden Web I believe and got a little bit of info. Then I started driving around neighborhoods looking for palm trees, spending hours searching for them with quite a fair amount of success. In August of 2003 my parents bought a few small one-gallon Washingtonia Robustas and I planted them immediately not knowing exactly how and when to plant them and it was a failure.  I continued with my research throughout 2004 and into 2005. In April of 2005 I went with my dad again down to Las Cruces and bought a three-foot trunk Washingtonia Robusta, brought it back to Albuquerque, and planted it against a south facing wall. It thrived until 2011. I had a couple more planted along the way and had one Robusta survive the 2011 hard freeze. That one may or may not still be alive but in the spring of 2013, I had a family member living with me (who has landscaping experience) that decided to chop off all the fronds. It already had new growth, and he thought it would grow back faster but all it never did. I moved to a new place in summer of 2014 and in April of 2015 I planted a Robusta that I purchased from Jericho Nursery. It took root really quick. I moved to Phoenix, AZ for work in March of 2016. Every time I would come back and visit, I would check up on the palm I planted, and it was doing very good. While in Arizona I gained my knowledge even more.  I moved back to Albuquerque in August of 2020. I noticed when I moved back that a lot has changed in the flora here. I've noticed a lot of Oleanders are being planted around town, and desert willows grow like weeds now. I've noticed that it has warmed up a little bit too. Besides my first winter back, I've noticed that winters are quite mild. I hadn't had a chance to plant anything yet as I've been living in an apartment until recently. I believe the way to go is Washingtonia Filifera as they are hardy palms and make a statement in the landscape. I plan to plant one or two next spring. I also have about 15 Filifera seeds that I currently have soaking in water. I am going to try to germinate more and hopefully I can sell them in a year or to. My goal is to maybe start a Nursery someday, with my specialty being palm trees as well as other hardy/drought tolerant plants.

 

Well, I appreciate any feedback and support in advance!

Dang thats cool man Give Pictures at some point if you can please!

[Desert DAC]

I can't believe I keep forgetting to post some nice palms and a couple other "interesting plants" in Alamogordo, from this past July 2024. I was more than glad I detoured into town for an hour.

The palms are posted here:

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/86966-alamogordo-nm-surprise/

 

The other plants are posted here, scroll to the end:

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/56539-miscellaneous-subtropicals-new-mexico

[NMPalmjunky]

I’m surprised that I don’t see more Mediterranean Fan Palms around Albuquerque/Rio Rancho.  The first picture is one that I planted in 2012 as a 3 gallon. The second one was planted 3 years ago as a 5 gallon.

[SailorBold]

9 hours ago, NMPalmjunky said:

I’m surprised that I don’t see more Mediterranean Fan Palms around Albuquerque/Rio Rancho.  The first picture is one that I planted in 2012 as a 3 gallon. The second one was planted 3 years ago as a 5 gallon.

Agree..  even the blue form, cerifera.. it is a hardier variant as well..

[Ltapia]

On 9/12/2024 at 9:26 AM, jwitt said:

Welcome to palmtalk.

If you have a spot for planting filifera, I recommend direct sowing the seeds in the ground.  The difference in growth from direct seeding and pot is incredible, and I have had repeated success with rocks and dry leaves for winter protection.

Good luck, we need a local palm source!

Hey how’s the seedlings doing ?

[jwitt]

1 hour ago, Ltapia said:

Hey how’s the seedlings doing ?

Mysteriously all died that were in my acidic plots(2 plots). No deaths in my other 2 plots after 11 f last winter(about 10 in each plot) and are up to 18" tall now. 

I had some others in pots. A couple of those are in my yard,  south valley, NE heights, and Mesa Az!

Growing and expanding!

Yours?

[NMPalmjunky]

Has anyone heard of the new Mediterranean and Lebanese garden expansion at the Bio Park? Hopefully they will bring in some nice exotic palms. https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/abq-biopark-to-feature-mediterranean-plant-life-in-new-exhibit/

[jwitt]

40 minutes ago, NMPalmjunky said:

Has anyone heard of the new Mediterranean and Lebanese garden expansion at the Bio Park? Hopefully they will bring in some nice exotic palms. https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/abq-biopark-to-feature-mediterranean-plant-life-in-new-exhibit/

"City leaders broke ground on the Lebanon and Beyond garden. While construction is underway, many of the plants are waiting in a greenhouse right now including pomegranate, fig, and pistachio trees."

Wonder if they will plant those outside? Or do I need to enter the conservatory to see stuff like rosemary?

Heck, I ate about 100 pomegranates from my backyard this fall and several pounds of south valley pistachios also. 

I kind of thought the place was a joke with the 2 conservatories housing Mediterranean and the other "desert" plants.  Really?

Maybe they will put in some junipers, I mean cedars.

As somewhat of a "plant" person, I felt the zoo was much better plant wise, outside and inside.  Sorry.

Maybe it will change, I can hope. 

[ABQPalms]

1 hour ago, jwitt said:

"City leaders broke ground on the Lebanon and Beyond garden. While construction is underway, many of the plants are waiting in a greenhouse right now including pomegranate, fig, and pistachio trees."

Wonder if they will plant those outside? Or do I need to enter the conservatory to see stuff like rosemary?

Heck, I ate about 100 pomegranates from my backyard this fall and several pounds of south valley pistachios also. 

I kind of thought the place was a joke with the 2 conservatories housing Mediterranean and the other "desert" plants.  Really?

Maybe they will put in some junipers, I mean cedars.

As somewhat of a "plant" person, I felt the zoo was much better plant wise, outside and inside.  Sorry.

Maybe it will change, I can hope. 

Or maybe Cypress? Heck, Oleanders are thriving all over the place here. I feel you on this one totally! The Zoo is so much more impressive to me as well! I just feel that the Botanical Gardens here play it too safe.

[jwitt]

1 hour ago, ABQPalms said:

Or maybe Cypress? Heck, Oleanders are thriving all over the place here. I feel you on this one totally! The Zoo is so much more impressive to me as well! I just feel that the Botanical Gardens here play it too safe.

I think they get input by local master gardeners who have relocated from Des Moines and Denver! 

[Desert DAC]

The former curators at the ABQ botanic gardens showed me where some of the gardeners would create new planting areas to their preferences - such as new parking islands or smaller planting areas. Or the same gardeners wouldn't care for xeric or more interesting species, only to replace those with something out of Plants of the Southwest catalogs or older High Country Gardens catalogs and take better care of those. But I forget their specific issues, now.

Nothing like the garden ambiance of Midwest-Montane or Tundra-Cottage some aspire to, including certain people at the city, many LAs, and an author or two. 

Yesterday's trip to visit some older projects on the ABQ west side and the zoo, before driving home to Las Cruces, was very worth it and encouraging. There are so many better plantings in front yards and some newer commercial developments, than when I moved away in 2013. I took some pics. I'll soon post some good finds to the appropriate place on Palmtalk.

Until then, part of a CABQ publication from around 1998 or 2000, to see where certain biases come from.  Or at least have a good laugh!

[Desert DAC]

On 11/20/2024 at 10:47 PM, NMPalmjunky said:

I’m surprised that I don’t see more Mediterranean Fan Palms around Albuquerque/Rio Rancho.  The first picture is one that I planted in 2012 as a 3 gallon. The second one was planted 3 years ago as a 5 gallon.

Those look good.

The reason Med Fan palms might not get much use is they seem temperamental to colder weather. Warm parts of Las Cruces may be their limit, and even then, with some degree of damage?

I was surprised to see a pair of 15 ft old Chamaerops humilis freeze far down their trunks here in downtown Las Cruces (COAS Bookstore), after the Feb 2011 freeze. 75-80 consec hours <32F and a low of -5F. But they are on a 2-story building's west-facing wall, so they were in the shade all morning, then *pow* with the west sun in the afternoon. In my neighborhood, one house has a few happy Med Fan palms in front, which showed no damage when I moved here in 2016...unlike those downtown, we're above the river valley and they are planted in the open, so sun most of the day.