51 replies to this topic

[Kim]

The plan for my most recent stay in Hawaii was to be sure to take lots of time to play in the ocean, go for some hikes, and so on. But when I arrived and found so many of my potted palms aggressively growing out of their pots, I knew most of my attention would again go toward the garden. Not that I mind; the garden is the whole point.

I warmed up with the smaller stuff: 3 Loxococcus rupicola and 3 Dypsis onilahensis:

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Next up was a real piece of work, 4 Satakentia liukiuensis in big 15-gal. pots. They were looking yellow and sullen after having been neglected for so long. Bigger holes can sometimes be easy, and sometimes a lot of work. Fortunately for these I had the assistance of my neighbor, Bo, although I did not catch any photos of him in action. He did get a few pix of me with the pick, though.

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[Kim]

When I return after a few months absence, it's fun to wander around and see what's happening with the palms and plants. I never know what I'll find. This nun's hood orchid must be in season, because I saw a few in bloom:



Nearby, a vriesea I had previously planted caught my eye, and the Ireartea deltoidea behind it had grown some leaves after having been nearly defoliated by insects the last visit:

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Ti plants always bowl me over with their color, here next to Licuala peltata var. sumawongii:



Shocks of color from bromeliads and anthuriums:

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Check out this perfect pineapple:


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For some reason this pic is duplicating itself here, can't remove it.

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[Kim]

Next up for planting, 3 heavy Orania, possibly 'ravaka'. Again, these are "before" photos -- yellow and unhappy! But put them in the ground, fertilize, and after a few months, they'll grow some new green leaves and the "after" photos will be ravishing. I think these are pics of them...? (The 4th palm in the first pic is a Heterospathe, didn't make it into the ground yet.) Edit: Second photo actually shows the four planted Satakentia.



Another project was putting 5 Kerriodoxa elegans out in a rough area with only a makeshift path. That can make it really tough to get the soil out to the planting hole, but we managed all right. These will grow so the huge fans will be overhead the path, once it's put in.



So that was a lot to get planted, and more to come. So many palms waiting their turn:

[Kim]

In between all this planting action, just to break up the day, a new path was begun toward the back where the Satakentia and Orania were planted.

Using a stick to check the width....... A pretty good start!



The whole time I was there I was hoping to see this Lemurophoenix spear open:



This photo gives you an idea of the size. It never did open while I was there, but I hear it's finally cracking open now.



I did enjoy seeing the spear of one of the smaller Lemurs open:

[Kim]

Of course it's not all garden chores while in Hawaii. There was some down time for a day at the ocean, a short trip to Kona, and I entertained some visitors. The boulder at the entrance to the Areca vestiaria path is a favorite place for portraits.

Here is Gina (JungleGina) with travel companion Nicholas who came through for a tour:



I persuaded friends Rich and Barbara to pose with Bo before dinner:





Barbara returned the favor and took this photo:



Dinner is served!



Some furry visitors:



An afternoon break by the ocean:

[Kim]

More walking around the garden...



D. saintelucei glowing white before sunup; Euterpe oleracea getting huge.



Love the way these two Pinanga javana are looking now; Dypsis paludosa crownshaft...



The first palms I planted in January 2010, these three Clinostigma samoense, stun me every time.

[Kim]

Yes, there was more planting done! Five little Bentinckia condapanna, 3 Reinhardtia latisecta, 3 Ptychococcus paradoxus, and last, but not least, 5 Calyptrocalyx leptostachys.





When I'm working in Hawaii and look out the window, I see this original Dypsis area, planted in March 2010, one of my favorite areas of the garden:



That's all folks! Thanks for following along.

[Lowey]

Lots of hard work there Kim, everything is looking great, the Lemurophoenix are stunning, they have grown so much All the new stuff will be looking fantastic in no time, thanks for all the pics.

[Stevetoad]

Looks amazing Kim. What is it your sprinkling around your palms? Is it just fertilizer or something to help them root?

[trioderob]

looks great !

[Patrick]

Looks great, Kim! What is the top cover you use for your freshly planted palms? Looks like (more) lava....

[Kim]

Hey, thanks guys. Steve, the sprinkles are granular fertilizer, which I apply generously. The frequent rain washes it into the soil fairly quickly.

Patrick, when I mulch, I use ohia tree chips (Metrosideros polymorpha). I had some dead trees taken down and kept the chippings, so that's what you see around the base of the Loxococcos. All the palms are planted with cindersoil, a mix of crushed lava and soil, and that's what you're seeing around the Satakentia, for instance.

[hanapalms]

You have been quite busy. Everything looks great.

[Fallbrook Jason]

Wow, everything looks amazing Kim, great job!! I love that Clinostigma, I wish they would grow here!

[Bill Austin]

Kim looking awesome and it looks like you have a lot more goody to plant, would love to see it some day. Happy growing

[BS Man about Palms]

Wow, everything looks amazing Kim, great job!! I love that Clinostigma, I wish they would grow here!

Did you miss seeing mine on Sat Jason?



Kim its looks inviting, can barely wait to visit there eventually... but then I'll never want to return...

[bgl]

Kim,

That was lots of fun! And all those palms will be nice and green in no time. And I can't resist adding two photos - in the first one, our favorite bromeliad supplier, Cory, at the Sunday Maku'u Farmers' Market showing off his stuff. Yeah, we ended up with a few...that's pretty much a given! And in the second photo, check out the smoke coming off the rock after Kim gives it a serious whack! "Digging holes" takes on a WHOLE new meaning here!

And Bill, ..."eventually"?...What's wrong with "soon"?

Bo-Göran

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[Tassie_Troy1971]

Kim all your r hard work has definately paid off the garde n and the palm are going gangbusters the growth on the Clinostigma samoense in unbelieveable !!!


What was the day and night temperatures when you were there ?

Troy

[Dypsisdean]

Nice progress Kim. I don't have to ask how you've been sleeping. Planting larger palms in Hawaii is the perfect sleep aid.

After days like that my favorite piece of furniture is my massage chair, then my head hits the pillow.

[_Wal]

Kim, work, nice, bye.

[Dr. George]

Looking good - coming along very nicely!

Know how that marathon planting out is ....once you get started, you just kinda gotta keep going, and it looks so great when you're done. Going to have a couple of those days ourselves later this month. Will be over to your side of the island for 2 days mid month. If we get a chance to pop in on Bo, we'll have to take a peak over the fence. (BTW, let's make it a surprise, so don't tell him).

gmp

[LJG]

Wow Kim. Where do you the energy? 34 in lava stone is impressive!

[Palm crazy]

You make it look so easy Kim, LOL!

Your 2010 garden project has really grown in nicely and you have that artist eye that sets your garden apart from the rest of us. Good Job.

[Kim]

I see I have to catch up this morning!

William -- Because I'm only there a couple of weeks at a time, "busy" is a requirement. The good news is I completely lose track of time when working in the garden.

Jason -- You can grow a Clinostigma savoryanum, but it will probably poke along a bit slower than in Hawaii.

Bill Austin -- Thanks for the compliments! It's a very young garden, much more to add. You are welcome to stop by any time I'm there, I'd be most flattered.

BS Man! Promises, promises! Get thee a flight reservation. If Dave can do it, you can do it.

Bo -- Thanks for adding the extra photos, and for taking them, too. Yes, it was fun, and I'm looking forward to another visit before too long.

Troy -- Thanks! You've seen a lot of great gardens lately, I appreciate the kind words. Night temps were maybe down to 62F at the coolest. It was very rainy -- 6 inches the first few days, and plenty after that -- but daytime temps averaged around 75F, very pleasant.

Dean -- Thanks. I need a dose of Vitimin I to sleep at night...

Wal -- Thanks, Man of Few Words.

Hi George -- You know how it is, exactly! I'll keep your visit hush-hush. No fence to peek over, just dodge through the palms.

Len -- Where do I get the energy? I'm sorry, that's privileged information. (j/k) Seriously, dropping in 10 1-gallon plants is a cinch, I'm no Amazon.

Palm Crazy -- Thanks for the three thumbs up!

[Fallbrook Jason]

Kim (And Bill) - yeah, I should have used the full name - Clinostigma samoense when saying I wish they would grow here. Bill does has a real nice Savoryanum and I have one that is looking good, although it is just poking along like you mentioned Kim! Amazing plants and pictures once again!

[dalmatiansoap]

Bravo!
Dont mind me being jealous, its my human right
BTW, if U need an imigrant gardener there, well,...,

[paulgila]

love that p.javana

your hard work is paying off!

[Pedro 65]

Kim,it must be such a buzz when you return to your garden and friends on the Big Island, seeing all the spectacular growth( plenty of that..) color and catching up . Love your choices of palms , broms and complimentary plants. Beautiful work. Pete

[realarch]

Making great progress! So satisfying when you come back to Hawaii after even a short absence to see how much everything has grown.
People here have told me of the '5 year rule', and after 4 years now I believe it. The rule is that after that period of time the palms in your garden really
start to have a presence and you get a real sense of how your garden will mature.

Tim

[DoomsDave]

Wow, Kim, that garden looks great!

Hmm. So does that shrimp casserole for dinner . . .

[apaandssa]

Wow! Your garden looks wonderful!!!! I'm jealous of the large sized palms you plant, but of course I guess that means larger holes to dig.
Your Areca "avenue" looks just like I want mine to look, but will need to wait a few years! Congratulations!

[ariscott]

Very nice job, Kim.... I would love to have accomplished what you have done... Busy busy busy these days....

Regards, Ari

[Tropicgardener]

Well done Kim, an absolutely stunning piece of paradise !!!

[Kim]

Ante, I'll keep your offer in mind. You never know.

Thanks Paul; yes I keep discovering new Pinangas that are irresistible.

Pete, I get hyper-excited each time I return to the island to spend time with my garden and friends. I feel tremendously fortunate in every way. Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Thanks Tim, that's a valuable observation. Your own garden is a great inspiration, watching your garden dreams become reality. I will look forward to that sensation of "presence".

Dave -- The shrimp were merely the garnish for the baked fish with mashed potatoes au gratin. You'd have had a second helping I'm sure!

Cindy -- Thanks for the compliments. Yes, there was a lot of effort involved in creating that Areca vestiaria path, you have no idea! But 100% worth it. You'll be surprised how quickly your palms will grow,, and your Areca Avenue will be spectacular in only a few years.

Ari -- when my kids were young, I barely did any gardening. I am amazed you manage to do so much!

Andrew, thank you for the kind comments, very much appreciated.

[sur4z]

Kids??? Put them to work!! Do you have a plan/design in mind? Feng shui? Or are you just slammin them in the ground and watching them grow?
-Peter

[Kim]

Peter, there is a concept, but it is continually modified. The general intent is a series of interconnected gardens. The primary driver is paths. This sketch is about a year old:

 MOKU_SITE CONCEPT_03-06-11-1.pdf   718.62K   71 downloads

[Moose]

I gotta steal a quote from DoomsDave: AAIGH,Shhhk!!, ACK, crackle - THPTH!, garglgh, YOWGL, arglbloo, BLIB, bbthbpt, BWONG, bleahck, TWANS! boingers, BLAAPTH!


Big SWOON

Very impressive Kim. I feel one of the seven deadly sins "envy" coming on.

You must spend alot time on weed control - everthing looks so clean.

[Kim]

Oh, do we allow such colorful language here on PalmTalk?
Ha ha, weed control, are you being facetious? Oh, you can't imagine how fast they grow!

[ariscott]

Kim,
at least you don't have that perfect combination between the sun and rain like here during the wet season. I swore that after a big rainfall and the sun is shining the next day, I could watch the weeds & grass grow. When it is overcast all day like during the monsoon, they are not as bad, trust me...

Controlling them during the wet season is a full time job!!! They have got away from me in the last 2 years... I really need to get in there and clean up this dry season.

It must be hard to have to leave them every time.... When are you moving there permanently?

Regards, Ari

[Kim]

Ari, every week there is that perfect combination of rain and sunshine all year round! There really is no dry season; it goes from "wet" to "even more wet", and always with just enough sun to stimulate growth. But that's why the palms look so fine! So I won't complain...

It is hard to leave every time, but the excitement of returning to see what has changed -- incredible! As far as moving to Hawaii permanently, it's not something I have to decide any time soon. My career requires me to spend the majority of my time in San Diego for the foreseeable future.