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I believe the parents to red jaboticaba are plinia cauliflora and plinia aureana. I'm growing the red type only since I'm 8a and colder. What he said.

The next step in this flush. It clearly has a tilt toward the southwest sky, which is where it gets the fullest sun exposure.

Very nice, organic shapes and edging contrast reminiscent of Roberto Burle Marx!

Found the updated version of the paper Abstract This research paper analyzes the spatial distribution of precipitation and the microclimate of the coastal enclave of Xerokampos, Lasithi, providing strong evidence for the area's classification under the Hot Desert climate type (Köppen: BWh). The study utilizes primary data from a network of homogeneous meteorological stations, comparing the Xerokampos time series (2020–2026) with the reference stations of Ierapetra and Toplou Monastery (Kotroni et al., 2020). While the broader eastern coastline records a mean annual precipitation of over 330.0 mm (Ierapetra: 363.2 mm, Toplou: 337.2 mm), Xerokampos is limited to 219.0 mm, with a mean annual temperature reaching 20.9°C (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 11a) (Magarey et al., 2008). The mathematical extrapolation of historical data from the 1915-1929 period (Mariolopoulos, 1938) indicates an estimated historical precipitation of 148.7 mm for Xerokampos, highlighting its long-term, hyper-arid character. The statistical synthesis of these data with contemporary records establishes a synthetic mean of 168.8 mm for a 21-year sample, a value that falls 19% below the desertification threshold of 209.0 mm. Combined with the extreme precipitation drop during the 2023-2025 triennium (averaging 119.4 mm), the thermodynamics of descending winds (Foehn) (Whiteman, 2000), and the dominance of desert vegetation (Nobel, 1994), strong evidence is provided for the existence of a structural desert zone (BWh) that is clearly distinguished from the neighboring semi-arid (BSh) environment (Peel et al., 2007). These findings align with the official recognition by the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark of the semi-desert climate and the presence of North African flora in the adjacent maritime zone (Koufonisi, Kavalloi islets). Simultaneously, the application of the Holdridge Life Zones bioclimatic system further certifies this identity, as the extreme Potential Evapotranspiration Ratio (PET Ratio) definitively classifies the enclave as a "Subtropical Desert Scrub" (Holdridge, 1947). The hyper-arid character is further confirmed by the classic De Martonne Aridity Index, which classifies Xerokampos from arid (I = 7.09) to extreme arid (I = 4.81). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19488877

impressive Jim, simply impressive 🤗

Paul, they’re much like orchids in the need for excellent drainage as well as plants of water during dry periods. Their roots even look like orchid roots and will sometimes grow over rocks and mulch. Most of my garden’s soil is fertile loam that drains fast so my Clivias are watered regularly. Their roots are naturally fairly shallow so deep watering isn’t necessary.

Absolutely correct...in the name of science, or failing that in the name of Jonathan or Tim!

Good question, with a few different answers. A couple of ways around that one, bare rooted is another method for larger plants, courier is another choice. But the way the cost of things are going, when a plant is $5 for sale and postage is going to cost $25 you’re not going to sell many plants. At the moment what Iam selling is paying for itself in getting my investment back. As the stock grows I will transition to the local community markets and still supply a certain local family owed hardware store mitre 10. And as for the rest of sales word of mouth and contacts that visit the nursery is my main goal. I get a couple of growers coming down from Gold Coast area and for now that’s fine. Ultimately I will still have small stock coming through so those sales will pay for themselves. And after that it’s a unique market I will target, but by ten years time if they want it they come and get it. Doing the markets will increase sales by word of mouth. But hey if it doesnt sell iam quite happy to plant out the best of the best in my garden, that’s one advantage as a grower I get to choose the best strongest and healthiest plants for my garden and that’s what my main goal was, I did that about 30 years ago and look at the garden I got, so round two now with that many new palms available it’s going to be one heck of a ride into the garden for my retirement!

I checked the Jubaea Tues. April 7, and the male bloom was in progress, I returned April 9 and the male bloom had dropped . So I collected unopened sprays on April 1 , dried them and sent them to Scott. I collected open male blooms on the seventh and they are still drying but two days later they had all dropped. I can see lots of pollen on the remaining female blooms so maybe there will be a seed set.

Regarding the non- black / purple or red Jaboticaba varieties / species, All are distinctly different. Yellow, Myrciaria glazioviana, tastes like Apricots or Peaches and is a steady grower, White, Plinia aureana, taste similar to the " standard " Jabo. types, but with addtnl. " Mango / Papaya / or Pineapple -like " notes.. Slow -ish and burns easier than others. Blue, Myrciaria vexator, tastes like Grape and Blueberry.. Seemed to handle the most sun out of all of them.. Grown all of 'em here in the desert w/ few issues, ..except that they must stay moist, in pots esp. ..and should never be grown in anything but high, bright shade. Neighbor's in- ground specimens seem to handle the dry breaks between their " lawn -esque " watering schedule.

Like the man said if you have the money we can get you anything you want! I have never seen so many different varieties of plants on offer, and the quality of them, how fast they grow in the tropics too the speed of postage in delivery. Chris and Arden are something that every grower should aspire to, it takes virtually a lifetime for a grower to amass such stock and connections in the business. Very friendly and helpful but most of all true plant people who love plants especially palms. Give me another 20 years and hopefully I can match them, and at the rate iam going all I need is for my palms to flower and set seed!

Hi! I apologize, I didnt mention that was me moving the soil to the middle temporarily so I can wipe down the edges of the pot. I think the soil may not be ideal, but im not sure how to check. There is a gap at the bottom of the pot that collects excess water so it doesnt get water logged. When I use my moisture meter, about 2 inches says dry, 2 to 5 inches deep says moist, and beyond 5 inches says wet. Im not sure what type of soil it was reported with. The tips of some of the leaves are brown. I've attached some photos of the browning leaves. Is this too much or too little water? Also, do you have any recommendations for fertilizer? Thank you for your help.

Lookin' good..

Scary only if you're a ground nesting bee.. Slightly.. " scarier " ..but far more interesting? The only truly Venomous Beetle known to science.. And the only known insect that has stinging capabilities located in ..it's antennae. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/849203-Onychocerus-albitarsis#articles-tab Video suggests effects from being jabbed are brief and similar to an unplanned meeting with Stinging Nettle.. Obviously, as with stings from Bees, Ants, Wasps, or Hornets, how 2 people might respond would depend on how sensitive each person might be to whatever cocktail of chemicals are contained in it's venom. Regardless, rare, and something you'd only encounter while poking around a patch of rainforest where it hangs out in South America. Other " Toxic " Beetles < ..Iron Cross / Other Blister Beetles, Bombardier Beetle ..and Stink Beetles ( Elodes ).. > either squirt, or release whatever poisonous / predator - deterring compounds they produce when they sweat when grasped or are crushed.

We tropical fruit fans do try to grow as many as we can down here, yard space willing. There are other colored Jaboticaba varieties advertised here but I dunno if they are the same. Do you know the other half of the hybrid on your Red Jaboticaba? Ryan

Here's my Bauhinia lunarioides, raised from seed, now in bloom too!

Syagrus schizophillya/old but not as old as some in the area

Most of the flowers are on the ground

Went by this P. elipticum today and got better pictures. Huge specimen. Got 2inches of rain yesterday and wind.

Thought I’d add a few photos to this topic, I’ve only one in the garden and it’s finally starting to fill out as it matures. Has some serious root competition, but making a go of it. Nice color, interesting leaves, and takes up little space. Tim

We had a bunch of these with the original plant-out of our garden but they all rotted. I think in our moist climate, they don't need any irrigation at all. I may try again. @Jim in Los Altos how much water do you give yours? I like that deep red color too.

We get a ton of moss around here. I've been concerned at how it literally coats the caudices of our cycads. It doesn't really seem like a good thing, and growth on the plants is less than robust, but it also seems like trying to remove it might do more harm than good. This one isn't that bad--others are worse.