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On the news, st petersburg got 5" yesterday with flooding. More moisture coming this week is the prediction.

Variation due to an ideal climate may lead to a few extremes. There is also one in LA california that is approaching 150 years old. An average age doesnt account for the 1/1000 events. Grok seems to think that they grow older in southern CA than in Florida due to bugs and soil issues. Wind does tend to damage them in Floridas sandy soils, they get knocked down frequently. THey were the most frequently knocked down palm by far in our 2024 hurricane milton. I had a one solitary dypsis pembana and one trunk of a multi pembana snapped at the base, roots not pulled, trunks snapped. Only palms I saw that were knocked down besides those were one 30 foot washingtonia filibusta that had masonry within 5-6 feet on both sides, one pigmy date and various queens like these below. You can see the wind direction actually allowed for some protection since they were aligned to the wind. Most still live (and this group is 25+ years years old) though, and appear to be growing out, though at crazy angles. A tall one like 40' we don't see here in spite of their popularity as one of the most planted palms in the past. Some say lightning is a cause but the ones I've seen are knocked down. Because we at palmtalk grow palms in various climates that may or may not be close to habitat, variability will be substantial.

My stations are currently showing totals between 5.5 and 6.5 inches of rain so far. Hopefully we'll finally have an above average month to put a dent in the drought deficit we've had.

One of my friends had a fellow who goes by the moniker "Tiki Man" turn a couple of tall Washingtonia stumps into tikis several years ago. Last year, they had him out to touch them up and that was where I learned about using a flame to singe the outer surface before applying a varnish. Since I was only saving my trunks for mounting I never considered using a flame to seal the open wound at the top. The wound oozed sap for weeks. I also had the orchids on it before I beheaded it, so didn't want to introduce an open flame right next to my orchids. So these are only my suspicions as to a solution. Most tikis I have seen around here have used the Washingtonia trunks which might be less prone to pink rot and are thicker to begin with than an Archontophoenix cunninghamiana. I'm fishing for info on whether the flame treatment has worked for others. It is kind of project for me, since I don't have a welding torch at home and have never used one. I have them at work or could even hire one of my employees that welds to come up and seal the next beheaded Archontophoenix. That day may not be far off either as I have another one that drop heavy leaves on more valuable plants below and is unnecessary as it tangles with my big Aloidendron Hercules pout front.

Hi everyone, I’m currently planning a significant seed order from RarePalmSeeds and am looking for some advice from those who have experience with the logistics of importing into the U.S. I’m looking to bring in a few thousand seeds of various palm species to make the shipping cost worthwhile. My priority is doing this entirely by the book. I will be applying for the correct PPQ 587 permit and ensuring the shipment is accompanied by all the necessary phytosanitary documentation. I have two main questions for the group: 1. Inspection Facilities: I am considering having the shipment routed through a USDA plant inspection station (such as the one in Seattle, WA) to ensure the inspection is handled as smoothly as possible. Does anyone have experience or recommendations regarding this approach for a shipment of this size? I want to ensure everything is handled properly upon entry. 2. Permit Clarification (Country of Origin): I’m getting a bit hung up on the "Country of Origin" field when filling out the import permit. My understanding is that this refers to the country where the seeds were actually produced/harvested, not the species' native range. For example, if I order a Trachycarpus princeps, but the seeds were produced in Spain, I should list Spain as the country of origin, correct? I want to make sure my documentation matches exactly what the inspectors expect to avoid any customs issues. Any tips on navigating the import process or common pitfalls to avoid would be greatly appreciated. I want to make sure these arrive safely and in excellent condition. Thanks in advance for your help!

Ahh I see, I forgot there's that variation in Hydriastele Beguinii😅, I've searched it and compared to both of them, and I think it is the Obi island form. Thank you very much!

A Tectorum Ecuador enjoying a filtered shade/sun spot with a a few Archontophoenix Purpurae babies. A nice tropical morning in our SoCal garden! Harry

Hydriastele begunni 'obi island'

We finally had some more rain, more than half an inch the last two days. Just 12 miles north in ruskin they got 3". Im hoping for more today.

This palm has developed some surprisingly large and stiff leaflets this year.

Hi! I found these images from facebook marketplace in Indonesia where they sell exotic palm species. The seller captions says this is a Siphokentia(Hydriastele)??? But I've searched through the internet and still no matches at all. Hydriastele Splendida looks alike but still different, and their bifid leaves really looks more like V. Splendida to me... If anyone could help, I really appreciate it!

My dear palm friends! I water my palm now every evening when the hot sun is gone! And see what happened... Thank you all for helping me!

Umm yes, because summerheat is not the key. It’s all about winter mildness.

I have 3 Gastrococcus crispa Seedlings-4” size pot- $30 for all 3 plus Shipping, Spaghum, & Box. There are a few shabby leaves after that Winter we had. My large mother palm lost most of its leaves @ 27F and the hurricane force wind, but looks great now, has fully recovered. Beachpalms@cfl.rr.com

About 300 fresh seeds, cleaning now. Super Cold Hardy (24F) and Salt Tolerant. $12.50/50 or $25/100. Plus shipping. Beachpalms@cfl.rr.com

Recently had a chance to drive past the old place and check it out. Fortunately the new owner was standing out the front and recognized me, so invited me for a quick walkaround (I only had 15 mins free) Mid winter here, and everything was looking pretty good. The new owner is doing a good job! Looking over towards the Beccariophoenix alfredii and Ptychosperma lauterbachii Veitchia joannis was looking good Pritchardia hillebrandii (rescued from Wal's place ) was doing well Dypsis 215 was still there but owner told me had struggled with dryness and lost some stems. Dictyosperma were growing well, although one has succumbed (or is about to) to a health condition...v. conjugatum on right Ptychosperma lauterbachii was covered in inflorescences and was looking awesome...IMO a better palm in that climate thn P.macarthurii Beccariophonxis alfredii...8.5 years from a 200mm pot...doing well! Full size Alcantarea in front of it for scale Satakentia were looking awesome...should be more widely grown in SE QLD those crownshafts were fat! And the Neoveitchia rescue palm is still alive! Satakentia crowns

Pretty common in parts of Northern CA as well. Archotophoenix cunninghamiana is by far the fastest growing palm up here as long as they get plenty of water. There are quite a few mature ones throughout my neighborhood.

There’s S romanzoffiana in Melbourne pushing 150 years old. I’d assume they can get much older than this if they don’t encounter lightning or other extreme weather events. This one doesn’t have a plaque from memory, but others a similar size in the Melbourne Bptakic Gardens were planted in the late 1800s. This one dwarves the nearby Phoenix canariensis. I’d say it’s at least 20m/70’ tall at a guess.

The newest leaf you have is really starting to show that nice costapalmate shape! Very nice

No chance you're willing to ship are you?

Anything is possible, the seller told me they had gotten it in a trade from someone who is really into trying to hybridize hardy chamaedorea.. and I figure anyone doing that would probably be a member or visitor of Palmtalk haha

I will definitely keep my eye out for a rosei now! I imagine it was hard to leave so many palms behind that you had worked on getting established. I think about that where I’m living now, it’s likely I’ll have to walk away from this yard in the next decade. I live much further south in the valley than you did when you were in clackamas, you guys would get that arctic blast air funneled through the gorge in winter. Our minimum temps would always be 5 - 10 degrees warmer during those bad winter events than the north valley and Portland area. We also have more sunny days and less rain. I’ll keep my expectations low for this Uresana in my yard, but even if it maintains its size or even maintains half its height without putting on visible size growth year to year I’d be happy enough with that long term for the spot I have it in.

Did you transplant the satakentia from a nursery? Your yard kind of looks like it could've been generated by AI. Hopefully that bismarck won't become a lightning rod.

The Verizon over in Galveston randomly has at least 3 uresana planted in the parking lot lol .

D asper & G atroviolacea shoots…