Lemonade Travel

[Cindy Adair]

I know lots of us are doing our best to use nonrefundable flights and creating adventures for the time we had hoped to be in New Caledonia. 
 

When life gives you lemons, as with the unavoidable New Cal trip cancellation, I see us as making lemonade. 
 

Many IPS members have offered advice and even lodging and transportation.

My trip began with 4 flights to get from my rural mountain home in Puerto Rico to the ultramodern airport LAX. 

I was picked up by Andy Hurwitz and provided with every comfort. 

He and his wife Arlene were wonderful hosts and I enjoyed seeing their charming neighborhood and much more. 

I was gifted with tours of parks and nurseries and private gardens along with delicious food, a hike with Arlene and two great dogs and even a glimpse of the art world. 

I suggest you visit a couple of other topics such as this one to get a hint of my initial adventures. 

 

 

What follows are just a sampling of what caught my attention.

Jubeopsis afra (formerly J. cafra)

https://palms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Baker-Jubaeopsis.pdf

Palms that I would likely kill in my tropical farm include this presumptive Butia.

I share Andy’s love of giant Ficus trees:

 

These public areas included plants for every interest.

Sculptures were intermixed with this easy to understand title.

More to come!

[Cindy Adair]

More from public gardens in Beverly Hills.

 

This area rivals the xerophytic gardens at Fairchild gardens in Miami.

Jubea chilensis (which I know I can’t grow in the tropics) is always hug worthy!

 

The following is a typical tourist photo of the famous neighborhood.
 

Another IPS member often suggests that sunglasses be removed for photos with the idea that only movie stars use them as a disguise. However in Beverly Hills they seemed appropriate. 

Below is a fern that caught my eye at a nursery which I have added to my wish list. Obviously not going to buy plants in CA when heading to Australia before returning to Puerto Rico. 

Anybody growing this one?

Coniogramme emeiensis AKA variegated Chinese bamboo fern
 

Later Arlene joined us at the very interesting Broad modern art gallery. 
 

Andy and Arlene have a passion for and knowledge of art far beyond mine, but I really enjoyed a glimpse into this culture. 
 

Seeing what else besides palms interests IPS members across the world is a big plus for me.

We enjoyed views of the one of a kind architecture of next door Disney Hall with Arlene in front.

 

Arlene and Andy’s hospitality included the chance to enjoy their two wonderful dogs who clearly have a great life!

 

[Cindy Adair]

After three nights of a sampling of LA Andy delivered me back to the giant LA airport for an economy 15 hour flight to Sydney Australia.

Amazingly IPS Director Colin and his lovely wife Denise drove north to Sydney and even overnighted at a hotel airport to be there waiting for my 6:55 am flight. 

Seeing smiling faces upon arrival in an unfamiliar country is priceless.

I was taken for a second breakfast and a glimpse of yet another world new to me of fast sailing boats on the Sydney harbor. 

 

My hosts then gave me the option of heading to their house to rest after the long flight or taking a taxi to the Royal Botanical Gardens right away.
 

Those who know me can guess what I chose which will show up in my next posts!

[Kim]

That is such a cool photo of Andy and Arlene at the Broad! Awesome art space, inside and out.

Hoping I might see you soon? Flying to Sydney mañana Oz time.

 

[Cindy Adair]

Hi Kim!

Colin mentioned that you would be in Sydney today and I believe he plans to connect with you, but I am happily oblivious to the details of each day’s adventures. 

Hope to see you soon!

[Cindy Adair]

Before I begin adding more Australia photos I refer you here
 

 

[Cindy Adair]

Some travel I can post day by day but this whirlwind trip is not one of them. There is so much that grabbed my attention! 
 

Upon entering the Sydney Botanic garden on September 25 the beautiful birds playing on “their” statue/fountain pulled me away from the plants. 
 

My old iPhone can not take the best distance photos, but I could not resist trying. 
 

 

At every level there were plants I did not recognize as either I had never seen or even heard of them or only a tiny photo in a book. 

This one has been on my wish list and I saw Andy’s beautiful specimen in CA on my “pretour” but look at the monster near the park entrance that was planted in 1868 by royalty!

 

Guihaia argyrata at the Fairchild Botanic Garden in Miami always gets an inspection when I visit that garden. However look at this beauty taller than Colin.

Among the many surprises over the past few days has been the Pritchardia collection rivaling anything I saw at the IPS Biennial. 
 

I was learning that I could not photograph every amazing tree, unless I spent weeks here, but I had to stop here.

 

I post this view below to show the accent color and edging choice of the curved pathways that entice visitors to keep walking. I am always looking for ideas I might include on a tiny scale in my jungle. 

[Cindy Adair]

I did not get to the water’s edge for the views often posted online, but here’s a hint.

The Coccothrinax collection totally surprised me!

Here is Coccothrinax littoralis with beautiful shiny leaves.

Lots of New Caledonia palms such as Basselinia humboltiana.

With Colin’s connections we met with many people who escorted us into places behind the scenes. 

Variegated Howea fosteriana for the all things variegated collectors.

And the Chamaedoreas were a maze of names and shapes that Colin knew, but I was clueless to name without reading the labels. 

Chamaedorea zamorae is now on my wish list for sure!

[Cindy Adair]

Continuing on my behind the scenes tour of Sydney Botanic Garden.

The beautifully displayed orchid garden which I understand is sometimes open to the public. 

Most in this collection are not going to grow in my warmer temperatures like this Masdevallia.

Yes they have aroids too!

Variegated 

Microchilus argenteus is a jewel orchid now on my wish list. 

 

 

I see this cute one (see label below) is already in the trade so perhaps I can find one to plant in my jungle as a palm accent. As an aside, leads appreciated if someone knows of them for sale in FL or someone who ships to PR. 

Here is part of a very nice Amorphophallus collection. 

 

I love this species! I believe these are dioecious and they have long been on my wish list. 

Trying hard to reproduce, but I am not sure if they have any others.

Lots more to post but staying busy so this is all for the moment. 

 

[Kim]

Great meeting up with you and Colin, Cindy! Colin is encyclopedic in his knowledge, not just which palms are which, but how to germinate them, how to grow them up, best practices for planting, best way to ensure future generations of the species, etc. etc. He is a real treasure for the palm world and I hope he is fully appreciated in his efforts.

And besides looking at palms, we had fun, didn't we! A few pics attached, not necessarily palmy in nature...

Two from the Opera House tour:

And two from the city lights after dinner:

 

 

[Cindy Adair]

It was definitely great to see Kim with connections, ground transportation, opera house tour tickets and even dinner courtesy of Colin.

Kim and I were treated to an entire day of sightseeing and revisiting IPS friendships. 

I am going to jump back to add a bit more from my first trip to the Sydney Botanic Gardens. 

These ibis are messy nesting in palms and working as teams to raid food from the garden cafe rubbish bins.

I am told they are disdainfully called bin chickens. 
However for me they were fun to watch. 

 

Here is Chamaedorea palmeriana, one of the many chams I had never even heard of. 

 

Vonitra utilis (used to be a Dypsis)

This was the only cassowary I saw…

 

So many pretty Coccothrinax including this one labeled C. ekmannii

 

[Cindy Adair]

After a wonderful night’s sleep at Denise and Colin Wilson’s beautiful home, cold and rainy weather turned the day into a driving tour and history of the area as a preview of the days to come. 
 

Look at these tall Livistona australis survivors of turning beautiful forest land into pastures. Colin estimates them to be 300-400 years old. 
 

Happily not all of the subtropical rainforest was clearcut.

The following were quick photos taken from inside the car. 

[Cindy Adair]

The weather prevented a full photographic collection of Colin’s wonderful property, but here is a sampling. 

Around every turn there were treasures!

Chamaedorea frondosa

 

Vriesea Crackerjack

 

Look at this view!

[Cindy Adair]

I want to see more Livistona australis photos so please see the link above for the next travel stop. 

[peachy]

On 9/27/2024 at 6:53 AM, Cindy Adair said:

After three nights of a sampling of LA Andy delivered me back to the giant LA airport for an economy 15 hour flight to Sydney Australia.

Amazingly IPS Director Colin and his lovely wife Denise drove north to Sydney and even overnighted at a hotel airport to be there waiting for my 6:55 am flight. 

Seeing smiling faces upon arrival in an unfamiliar country is priceless.

I was taken for a second breakfast and a glimpse of yet another world new to me of fast sailing boats on the Sydney harbor. 

 

My hosts then gave me the option of heading to their house to rest after the long flight or taking a taxi to the Royal Botanical Gardens right away.
 

Those who know me can guess what I chose which will show up in my next posts!

You cannot get more hospitable people than Denise and Colin.

Peachy

[Cindy Adair]

38 minutes ago, peachy said:

You cannot get more hospitable people than Denise and Colin.

Peachy

Absolutely true Peachy.

[Cindy Adair]

Colin, Denise and I enjoyed more beautiful views

followed by lunch in the historic town of Berry. 

Colin has many other interests such as genealogy and history so we stopped by a quaint museum with information about his relatives. 

 

Then on to meet Steven and Edwina who have an incredible collection of all kinds of plants and two cute dogs.

They made use of every space including the vertical. 

This Begonia foliosa is now on my wish list.

 

I love Bowenias such as this B. spectabilis.

 

Lots of Chamaedorea tuerckheimii beauties

 

Sinningia leucotricha is so soft to touch. 

So many bromeliads!

 

Another wonderful day full of adventures!

[Kim]

Colin's place looks so incredible! An amazing number of species in a relatively small area. Thanks for sharing your photos of your other visits, Cindy. Great that we could meet in Sydney with Colin, very special. 😎

[Dypsisdean]

Thanks for the vicarious virtual travel tour. - very enjoyable.

[Cindy Adair]

Colin and I left early the next day to drive back up to the Sydney Botanic Garden and join up with Kim for the day. 

It’s a very large garden so I saw lots I missed on my arrival day. 

Please reply if you can name this one.

 

I like this Bouvardia ternifolia as my wish list grows.

 

Here’s Kim next to Agatha’s lanciolata with  very interesting bark. 

 

We walked closer to the water this trip for another classic opera house view.

Good thing the Wilsons shared a coat designed for warmth during regattas as I am used to tropical temperatures. 

Look at this majestic Brachychiton rupestris!

This Coccothrinax crinita was planted in 2010 

Residents of this huge city are very fortunate to have this historic garden so close to city center. 

[Cindy Adair]

Kim and I wandered into a gift shop where I saw Director Scott Zona’s book for sale. Scott did an excellent webinar for the IPS about his fascinating book. 

 

Colin gifted Kim and me with a behind the scenes tour of the one of a kind opera house. 

Then we headed to Colin’s club to glimpse the regatta life. 
 

We said goodbye to Kim (after Colin hosted a delicious dinner) and he and I overnighted near the SYD airport to catch an early flight to Brisbane.
 

David Tanner picked us up and soon we met up with Philip at Mt. Coot-tha gardens.

 

We snuck a quick photo showing the recently transported Tahina.

So many splendid plants!

Hoffmannia ‘Strawberry Splash’

 

The fascinating basket fern

[Cindy Adair]

Continuing with Mount Coot-tha, below are Chamaedorea glaucifolia

 

and Pholidocarpus macrocarpus.

Little sculptures were mixed in like this crayfish.

Heterospathe elmeri with a lovely new leaf
 

 

Lots of blue marble fruits

and the grand trees towering above the fruits

I have a dozen or so two inch tall Elaeocarpus seedlings in PR and perhaps I should make room for just a trio and gift the rest to neighbors with space to fill. 

[Cindy Adair]

Looking down we saw lots of baby bangalows with the parents towering above.

 

I asked if there was a real Sam and learned it was just an attempt to personalize the sign.

 

I am familiar with the Flamboyan common in PR but enjoyed seeing other Delonix such as D. floribunda with its interesting bark.

 

Below is elegant Chrysalidocarpus arenarum
 

 

Rose? sculpture 

Cochliostema odoratissima

 

Final views of one of the shade houses at Mt. Coot-tha.

More to come…

[tim_brissy_13]

7 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

Looking down we saw lots of baby bangalows with the parents towering above.
 

 

I think these ones are A purpurea Cindy. I remember them when they were only small palms, amazing how much they’ve grown. That entire area of Mt Coot-tha is a big source of inspiration for me. Archontophoenix look so good in large groups like this. 

[Cindy Adair]

On 10/5/2024 at 6:29 PM, tim_brissy_13 said:

I think these ones are A purpurea Cindy. I remember them when they were only small palms, amazing how much they’ve grown. That entire area of Mt Coot-tha is a big source of inspiration for me. Archontophoenix look so good in large groups like this. 

You are absolutely correct. I even took a photo of the sign while I was there. 
Thanks for the edit!

This view shows the lovely color of the crownshafts better.

 

[Cindy Adair]

I did not take a photo of the name of this lovely flowering tree but my best guess is Schotia brachypetala which is already on my wish list.

Below is a monotypic genus completely new to me.

 

 

 

 

 

[Cindy Adair]

Next on the agenda was a very special private garden created over 42 years by Philip Arrowsmith. He was one of the trio of Rudy Meyer and David Tanswell who treated me to one of my very favorite IPS trips, the pretour to Borneo in 2016. Thanks so much!

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/51292-into-borneo-with-the-unforgettable-2016-ips-pretour/

 

It was a clear from the street that seeing Philip’s collection was going to be very special!

Just look at the rare palm species in just one photo!

He seems to grow everything from rare flowering trees like Alloxylon to stunning specimen orchids and aroids.

 

 

 

I think this one was labeled Licuala telifera, but I also saw a Licuala labeled as the real Licuala elegans (as opposed to the Licuala peltata which is commonly called elegans). Regardless of the name it’s lovely.

 

Copernicia macroglossa surrounded by orchids

Jubeopsis afra

I love this darker leaved form of Cochliostemma odoratissimum.

 

Philip, Colin and David after a break for tea. I really enjoyed the many tea breaks in Australia! 

 

I could have explored this garden for many hours but it was time to move on. Thank you Philip!

Afterwards David drove Colin and me to his house so stay tuned for more photos of my 9th day since leaving Puerto Rico.

 

[Cindy Adair]

I was treated to another lovely dinner and enjoyed a night in a guest bedroom courtesy of David and Rosemary followed by a bountiful breakfast. Every window in the Tanswell house had gorgeous views of plants of many kinds. 

Colin and I got another look at his treasure trove as shown with David below.

 

Here’s Colin under a beautiful Kerriodoxa.

These pathways make it irresistible to continue.

 

Most trees had epiphytes (AKA palm jewelry)

 

Not enough time to see everything as on schedule for David and Rosemary to drive Colin and me to the Walkley property.

 

[Cindy Adair]

Colin and I were staying two nights in the stunning Walkley guest suites but Rosemary and David were only staying a few hours. 

My eyes were drawn to the interior plants such as this one labeled Anthurium Lindsay.

We wasted no time and took off for the day’s garden tours!

I don’t know the name of this one but look at the color and size of those leaves and flowers.

I always hesitate to touch tags in my host’s plants but in the photo I took of the label the name could be Vriesea IN-Felix.

Like so many gardeners on this trip, Stan is hands on and has a personal connection with each of his plants. Remember Australia is now very strict with imports and quarantines often result in dead plants. Even seeds are scrutinized with a deadly fungus able to survive in dead seeds and infect dirt killing adult plants.

There are so many views with very attractive colors and shapes.

Some nice statues interspersed. Stan knows the birds too and although this first walk around was mid day Colin and I saw many birds the next morning early. 

This photo shows the results of hybridizing with the more readily available red flowered one on the left (that I have in Puerto Rico) and the resulting rare pink one for comparison on the right.

One of Stan’s display areas. I always notice wall and floor materials to see if they could work in Puerto Rico.

This one is Dracaena Goldiana, a favorite of mine.

The label for this one said Anthurium Red Beauty x Veitchii

Not sure of the name, but this bromeliad is stunning and new/rare according to Stan.

Imagine this view from your driveway!

Stan showed us the damage from the Blue Dart Butterfly despite his ongoing efforts to minimize the pest. One of the innocent looking small butterflies showed up but my not great phone camera failed to capture it in a photo.

Brachychiton rupestris with me for scale

Silver Streak was on the label. Please help with a full name as it’s a beauty.

WOW! See Stan with his big Sabinaria!

 

Perfect Joey

 

The size of the Licuala cordata leaves was very impressive.

I spotted the beautiful and for me slow growing Sommieria in Stan’s collection, back left.

What might be the biggest Tahina I’ve seen ever with Stan the grower!

 

I took note of many beautiful Tillandsia display options as I know I could do better with mine.

David with a giant Aroid leaf.

Broms everywhere! The bottom one is called Vriesea Glow Plug David Fell

The Australian Stingless Bees are special and Stan supports them with this little bee house. He loaned me an interesting book on them to browse during my stay.

This Licuala is called Peacock in Australia, but might be the one Floribunda refers to as Kalimantan sp. The mottling gets dramatic with age.

David, Colin and Stan

 

 

[Cindy Adair]

Time for David, Rosemary, Stan and I to move on to Brian’s unique garden full of exemplary plants AND personality.

Look at the rhipsalis growing over the entry sign

A very impressive Corypha utan with (left to right) Colin, David, Brian, Stan and Rosemary.

One of a kind creations caught my eye 

A colorful groundcover Brian shared with David.

Note the name on the vintage wheel below

For those who swoon over variegation, here is Strelitzia nicolai.

For rising IPS president and Ficus aficionado here is F. Dammaropsis with Rosemary

Brian even has a bottle tree of his own creation.

Brian shows his huge Coccoloba!

So many viewpoints of beauty

Stan and Colin admire Copernicia hospita

 

We all laughed at this one:

Brian told me this color form has been in Australia awhile but it caught my eye to try to grow in Puerto Rico

I caught this parting shot as we reluctantly needed to move on.

 

 

 

[Cindy Adair]

David and Rosemary departed for their home but Stan, Colin and I had one more garden to visit that day. 

Jon told us he had also hosted other IPS groups and he volunteered that photos on Palmpedia were the original inspiration for his stretch into tropical palm collecting.

For those who don’t know, our amazing moderator of PalmTalk created and owned Palmpedia selling the site after many years to another palm lover.

Look at his beautiful Geonoma atrovirens

 

His property is not huge but he has made use of all of it creating canopy and adding water features.

These palms look as perfect as those I have seen in Hawaii. L. orbicularis and L. mattanensis ‘mapu’

I believe this is Licuala sallehana with L. orbicularis  to the back left.

Lanonia dasyantha

As with many of my favorite gardens, Jon’s paths and steps invite wandering.

Only one more full day of adventures before I head home to Puerto Rico.

Don’t miss the wallabies in the next posts!

 

[Cindy Adair]

Stan, his wife Jane, Colin and I headed early to a very special plant and animal reserve.

We all are aware that Australia has strict controls designed to protect the country from invasive of all kinds. This reserve even asks visitors to use this footwear cleansing device before heading to the trails.

Only with people below can you grasp the enormity of the very old trees.

The stranglers were fascinating in their twists and turns to take hold of their hosts in slow motion

 

Something about the giant roots of trees holds much appeal to me.

The trails were very well maintained keeping the spiny Calamus muelleri in viewing distance but safely away.

So many cathedral like settings here.

These next not very clear photos are when I regret not having a much better camera! Still I guess it’s the memories inspired by the photos that are fully secure.

Maybe these will inspire you to visit with your better camera and post results on PT in the future!

Plus there are great photos of many Australian animals under the long running “Garden visitors” topic.

 

Note the full pouch on the female to the right.

Yes, it’s blurry, but in person we could see the baby’s face peaking out of the pouch.

Hope you can see this very short video of wallabies eating.

Next we visited a beautiful property where I was treated to a delicious lunch preceded by a stop at the art gallery

and followed by a tour of the rental villas.

It’s all for sale as the owner is retiring so please contact them if you have an interest as this is a spectacular one of a kind place. Or at least consider a visit soon.

 

Charm everywhere with animals carved into all the handrails.

Jane and I did not resist climbing into the quite comfortable unique seat part of one villa.

Look at the design that made getting in and out easy.

I would love to own something like this.

As we returned from our villa tour I saw the sign directing us to parking.

[Cindy Adair]

Stan, Colin and I traveled to Stephen’s house. Stephen is an expert grower who Colin trusts to help grow up some of the rare things he imports legally with great difficulty to add to the gardens he supports. 

Stephen works full time and has not lived at his new property very long but he has many stellar plants and several well designed growing areas.

Aechmea Roberto Menescal caught my eye first.

Looking below the benches, see the collection of palm seedlings!

His organization makes my own shade house look a mess in comparison. I did not take photos of his workshop but it is totally amazing to with a place for everything and vertical use too.

Another example of a private collection I would newer have seen had not Palm Talk led me to the IPS!

 

[Cindy Adair]

Jane prepared a memorable another homemade meal before my last night before heading home.

In the morning there was time before a flight to Sydney to wander around Stan’s place again. 

Missing again a better camera, I still enjoyed seeing (and hearing) lots of birds!

There were multiple Kookaburras and I got to hear their distinctive laughing sort of song. 

I saw a black cockatoo fly overhead. Nothing like these in Puerto Rico! Colin looks up at Stan’s huge Tahina…

After being driven once more by Stan to the charming little Suncoast airport Colin and I had to say our goodbyes as he headed in his airport parked car home and I overnighted at an airport hotel mere steps from my flight the next morning. 

I counted 11 flights by the time I arrived the western Puerto Rico-every single flight on time!

As I was doing carry on size bags and watching my budget, I kept my buying to the minimum plus followed the regulations and resisted bringing seeds or plants. 

I always steer clear of things I actually didn’t see such as Kangaroos.

I ended up with some delicious cookies called Tim Tams

to share with friends and a key ring that I will use as a Christmas ornament plus a mug with a now familiar bird.

Lastly I got a card from the art gallery at Secrets now in a frame. 

As you can see it matches the view I saw at the Caincross reserve. 

 

 

I urge you to share some of your palm related travels on Palm Talk to encourage others to say “yes” when invited to visit.

[Tracy S]

Amazing photos. Thank you so much for sharing your travel log with us!

 

[Cindy Adair]

3 hours ago, Tracy S said:

Amazing photos. Thank you so much for sharing your travel log with us!

 

You are very welcome Tracy.
 

Thanks for your patience through all the posts. I hope our paths might cross in FL at least in the next few months. 

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Hello Cindy, 

Great travel log Cindy,  it was pleasure to host you. We had lots of fun.

More amazing gardens  for you see next time.

Did not give you much time to post😊  Enjoy being home to recover.

regards

Colin and Denise.

PS Background on Stephen

He was one of 2 people who came with me for my first acquiring trip for the Royal botanic gardens Sydney in 2008 and they had a great positive help supporting the rejuvenation of the palm collection there.

He was senior Horticulturist there at the time.

He has an extensive background in many plant groups,

Stephen keeps excellent records and has extensive technical knowledge 

on temperature controlled growing and soil compositions 

He managed a 16 acres private botanic gardens in Western Australia for many years until recently.

And luckily for the gardens, a good germinator

[Daryl]

Awesome thread, Cindy! Glad to see that you covered a bit of ground on this trip, and met some lovely people. A shame we couldn't catch up whilst you were here, but unfortunately bad timing on my part...😢

[Jaxson338]

It sounds like you really made the most out of an unexpected change of plans, and that's truly inspiring! Life doesn’t always go the way we expect, but there’s often beauty and adventure in the detours. I had a similar experience when I traveled to Kauai, Hawaii though I went there intentionally, the island surprised me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. From the lush landscapes to the incredible variety of birds like the Nene goose, Kauai was a paradise for a bird lover like me. The island’s native species, each unique and full of character, added a whole new layer to the experience.

Your journey reminds me of the welcoming spirit I found on Kauai as well. Locals shared their knowledge about the island’s natural beauty and even showed me hidden spots perfect for bird-watching(https://hawaiiislandkauai.com/). It sounds like you were equally lucky with Andy and Arlene’s generous hospitality! Sometimes the best trips are the ones where we embrace the unexpected, soaking in every bit of culture, nature, and connection that comes our way. Here’s to making the best of every adventure, no matter where it takes us!

[Cindy Adair]

1 hour ago, Jaxson338 said:

Sometimes the best trips are the ones where we embrace the unexpected, soaking in every bit of culture, nature, and connection that comes our way. Here’s to making the best of every adventure, no matter where it takes us!

I enjoyed your writing and totally agree with your closing two sentences quoted above! 
 

I am trying to follow those ideas even when I am at home.