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The late Richard Douglas and Inge Hoffmann, two of my palm mentors, (Richard was more than six feet tall) then three images of my Ceroxylon quindiuense. I don't feel confident about estimating height, but I believe it to have about 35 feet of clean trunk below the leafbases. (10.6 m )

San Diego, CA, USA is treating her right

ALl the taller palms have a hurricane haircut now from Milton(110mph gusts). Nothing too tall in my yard, a couple royals 40-45 feet tall estimate but there are some pretty thick trunks. Its tough to estimate height that tall. But the smooth trunks are 26-30 feet and crownshafts are 6 1/2 feet. That leaves leaves and spear extending past 31 feet(smaller one) and 36 feet(larger one). I estimate leaves/spear extend 10' + past top of crownshaft. The royal trunks are a bit more slim down low with some coke bottling up around 15-20 feet or so. First pic is the taller one which is more slim in trunk by 3" perhaps. The fence is 7' The smaller one is near a hose bib and got more water, a bit less sun. Down low its 27" thick next to the 30" wide chair(viewed straight on). It appears to bulge a bit, perhaps 3-4". Here is the bottom 20 feet of trunk with chair for scale. These are my tallest palms and the heaviest trunks(25' to 30' of trunk weighs several tons. They are not the thickest trunked palms down low. That would be sabal causiarum at about 42-44" bulge down low this is the thickest trunked palm down low. My favorite trunk is the concrete pillar looking trunk of copernicia fallaensis. It does not taper at 28-29" thick last time I measured the perimeter(2piR) with a tape last year. The causiarum tapers notably, fallaensis does not taper thus far. It is notably thicker than the causiarum at 10 feet above ground as the causiarum trunk tapers to 24" or so at that height. And last but not least is the fastest tapering palm, beccariophoenix alfredii, about 32" thick at the base but rapidly tapering. I also like the undulations on the clean trunk. I have never cut leaf bases off all these palms, they are naturally shedding. Alfredii trunk base And the overall of alfredii showing the rapid tapering of trunk. Alfredii seems to recover well from hurricane but it still has the comb over effect of asymetry. Funny alfredii looks like my best recovering palm right now but we haven't hit the wet season yet when everything grows a lot faster.. I learned a less from Milton, damage was more a function of height than species. The tallest were the most damaged.

The time has finally come, after years of waiting. Today I planted the first palms (and other plants) in my new garden. Since the local soil was very alkaline, I added two truckloads of highly acidic sand soil (pH 3,8) I bought and then i mixed it with the local soil. Hopefully it will work. There is very little organic matter in it but I put worm castings on top of the soil every time I plant something and I will keep adding compost from my compost maker. So here are my pioneers. I know that some of them will not make it but some may do and I am very excited!

Size is most definitely "relative". I just took this photo showing what I see when I walk past my most finished area of the yard. The Flamethrower (a palm I bought at a large size to get some "instant gratification") dominates the grouping... But if you step back a few feet (and look up) all of these palms are dwarfed by the two Caryota obtusa/gigas which are fully mature, and are the only palms remaining from the original landscaping. Caryota obtusa/gigas are already huge, but are EXTRA large when compared against a young garden...

From no trunk rings in 2021 to several now.

We drove down to @DoomsDave to pick up a Sabal Mauritiformis that had purchased a while ago but was not able to pick up until today . I told Dave that I would be interested in some other palms for my slope and maybe a few smalls for around the house. I definitely wanted a mate (or three) for Ernie , my Chamaedorea Ernesti Augusti that I got from him last time I was there. Dave was his usual cheerful self and we spent quite a lovely time sitting and visiting . He is such a gracious host . Honey Bun and Conan were there to give their blessing as well . An enjoyable time with limited time outdoors as it just so happens that there is a heat wave so the temp was over 100f ! My daughter met us there with her boy friend , we had planned a Mother’s Day supper after visiting with Dave . My daughter has been wanting to meet Dave for a while , “you mean there is someone who has more palms than you?” Uhm ….YES! I have named my new Sabal M. Marty and he was about twice the size I anticipated , based on pics Dave had sent me. He had a nice Needle Palm to join Marty down the hill. I was lucky , he still had some C. Ernesti Augusti left so I picked out three. The other palm , which I was told should “ grow into the sun “ is one I had never heard of but should be good for my climate . Meet Marty , Sabal Mauritiformis . Been in the pot far too long . Time to be set free A Needle Palm. Like Marty , it’s time for “roots in the ground” for this guy. This is a new one on me. Cyphophoenix is not a genus I am familiar with but Dave said it should be fine starting out in a shady place where can grow into the sun eventually. A better pic showing the palm . Three more Chamaedorea Ernesti Augusti to keep Ernie company . These may stay in pots like my other one so I can keep them in the full shade of my porch. They seem to grow well in pots , much like C. Metallica. Harry

Had us a PSSC meeting and it was a goody and I wish more of y’all could have joined us, but oh well.

Hedyscepe about 35 feet tall.

One of my favorite grows!

So I took my dog to the park this morning and saw this. I'm amazed how long this Sabal palmetto has been able to thrive on this tree. It must have about 8-10 feet of trunk. There is no telling how many hurricanes it has been through.

A little background info and a look at the stately formality of the main palm area.

A leaf came off my Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus a couple of weeks ago, and I noticed that another is peeling back. Now it is decision time since the leaflets are green, do I leave it? Do I remove it down to the crownshaft so it doesn't destroy something underneath when it crashes down? For now, I'm waiting a little longer but will probably follow the first path since I don't want it to damage plants below. Sometimes what catches our eye can be thought provoking or provide a dilemma.

Yesterday was a great day in the garden after encountering this C. ovobontsira reveal. Up until now this young palm was rather unremarkable, no longer. It was gifted to me by Hilo Jason a few years back, you picked out a good one Jason, and no, you can’t have it back. Glad I’m able to share these photos. Tim

I’m back after a long posting hiatus, here’s a picture of the Tahina about 12 years since planting, it’s really been cranking for the past 6 months.

After a morning of diving in Raja Ampat in the Coral Triangle and a light lunch, I glance at the messy group of very tall palms behind the employee soccer pitch and do a double take. Wait… no, really? Yes! Unmistakable! An entire stand of Metroxylon, possibly vitiense. 😮 Yes! Seedlings, juveniles, mature palms and a few in decline while holding the remains of the terminal infructescence.

My first full day in Jakarta, Indonesia, quite an introduction to the city. First, a 2-hour ordeal via ride-share to get from my hotel near the airport to the main train station in the city, a lesson in what to expect when you get on the roads here. I will not be driving!!! Once on the train, all went smoothly. Upon arrival in Bogor at the hottest time of day, I accepted a ride to the gardens via motorcycle, not my usual mode of transport, but more efficient than going by car. below, my driver Alic, the elegant entrance to Bogor Gardens as backdrop. It’s a very old garden and fairly extensive, but the palm collection was my primary objective. Even so, I was immediately distracted by a bromeliad display. Beyond a bend in the road, I began to find palms; old palms, big palms. Like this humongous Arenga undulatifolia. …and an Orania sylvicola, below. Fortunately it was labeled.

From there I deviated to other attractions— the Nepenthe House, the Begonia House, and some of the semi-domesticated inhabitants. After a few more minor adventures in Bogor, such as crossing chaotic streets on foot and communicating with gestures to find an ATM and a group taxi ride to the station, I returned to Jakarta and my hotel by train. Seems everyone was as weary as me.

By this time I was desperate for shade. I found a number of palms and other trees supported by these sturdy props. I guess the palms have been through a lot. Many more species at every turn. And acres of old growth trees about which I know very little. But the shady stone paths were alluring.

Another beautiful rhapis in the collection I have is laosensis. Slow growing this one at least 20 years in the ground as tube stock. In a hot dry sunny spot. A rosebud farm original from Rich Trapnell. Those where the days, he introduced so many new palms into Australia.

A world's first...as far as I am aware...after hand-pollinating around 20,000 flowers under tightly controlled conditions, I got just 3 viable seeds on the last infructescense and now have my first triple Dypsis cross!! I sewed the 3 seeds on Feb 28, 2025 and just discovered the first sprout today. I jumped in the air in excitement!! Introducing.. Chrysalidocarpus (pembanus x decaryi) x leptocheilos. TriBana Hybrid crossed with Teddybear Palm.

One palm that always confuses me always forgetting that name that’s so hard to say and spell. These two are around at least 30 years of age both gifted to me as a 24th birthday present. Super tough heat cold wet feet all round palm. They look there best when given a good clean up and a bit of care, but can be left in there own do just as good. These ones are setting seeds I don’t worry about growing them but I should do a couple of dozen just to have to in the collection for other collectors who are brave enough to grow them.

‘Looking east , past my wife’s Hawk sculpture Looking South , from under the pergola in the late afternoon looking Southwest towards the ocean.

Ran into this suspect that I had never seen in the hood until today:

Ok we all have a nice place to sit in the garden, I know I do. So what’s your view?

My tallest is probably a Caryota Urens but it is hard to tell from the ground . It is the only palm that outpaces the Syagrus Romanzoffiana’s . The largest by volume is the Butia Oderata on my hill, it has a very large trunk and has many large fronds ( not a palm for small gardens). The largest single frond is the Caryota Obtusa , the fronds are huge . Harry ‘Caryota Urens, with a partial view of the C. Obtusa . I’m not sure if the Washingtonia Robusta down my hill is taller , Caryota Obtusa single frond! ‘This was about a year ago , even larger now by just a bit. It is not a palm I would like to have near my house or in a small backyard. I am glad I put this one on the hill . They look manageable when they are young but grow to be quite large. ‘The Butia as seen from our deck. Harry

The only picture I took regrettably was at Kenny’s house showing his Platycerium Superbum mounted on one of his Archontophoenix. Kenny’s house was awesome and a testament to the fact you don’t need a huge property to have an amazing garden! Don’t know Kenny’s name here on PT or would have tagged -dale .

Many of the palm delights were added later, such as. the four Lodoicea maldivica, the Pelagodoxa henryana, and these very thick-leaved fan palms. The label wasn’t legible for the following photos; my best guess is possibly a Borassus, but I failed the class in Advanced Palm Identification. Ideas?

A cute little tree frog hanging out in a Lepidorrachis, and a nice late autumn flush on a Howea f.

What is or are your biggest palm(s)? This includes outdoors and indoors, overall height, crown width, trunk thickness, whatever. In my case one contendah’ is my large Roystonea oleracea, purchased as a fiver from Mardy Darian back around 2010. About forty five feet tall. I’ve got more, but show us some of yours!

Norton Sculpture Garden - Had no chance to get away from my group. Will have to return.

C. Nucel and b. Grandiflora

Not my tallest palm (Washingtonia) but my biggest surprise for speed of growth is my Butia odorata. My biggest disappointment is Leucothrinax morrisii which died suddenly last fall for no reason. My biggest seed producer is Livistona chinensis.

An absolute stunning palm that grows so well in my climate to almost perfection. I can’t fault them for such an easy palm to grow that is so beautiful. I will be planting a lot more of them that is for sure.

Here’s an update on the ones planted less than 7 months ago as shown. These live up to their reputation and (in full sun) set the standard for growing fast!

A beautiful specimen in the garden I always admire. Such a lovely new coloured leaf almost like a miniature kentia you can definitely see the link there somewhere. I have been given a stack of seeds both the single trunk and the clumping form and as usual, my palm decides to bear seeds saying what about me those seeds you got given are no good when you have me look I can produce seeds it’s always the way.

Beautiful images, all! Not technically my deck, but rather a park bench up at the top of the hill that I can enjoy coffee in the morning, or a glass of wine in the afternoon.

I was in Carlsbad for work today and I haven’t been here for 10 years probably and the last time was to go see the caverns and watch the bats fly. I didn’t pay attention to the palms then but I was blown away by the amount of large filifera growing here. There were some large chamaerops. I also saw a few windmills, but I didn’t see any sabals surprisingly. A lot in these pictures took some good winter damage but were green and growing out. Carlsbad is 7a/7b and after looking at their temperatures it gets to 0-5 F at least once every winter and yet these endure. Maybe it’s the 3500’ elevation sun and dry winters? I don’t know but I was impressed and thought I should share with palm lovers. The pics I took are only just a few. They are all over town!

It would have to be my Caryota maxima towering above the gum trees. It really took off once it broke through the canopy.

Some garden eye candy anyone!

Most of these pictures are of windmills but if you look closely in the second pic you'll see a palmetto and maybe the brazoria.

I love this palm

The heading stated palms in pots does this qualify as enough palms in pots. Iam a hobby grower and collector of anything unusual, rare or just must have exotic plants and I do it simply because I love plants especially palms. Most of this stock will be planted on my property over time. That’s my grand plan for future generations.

Update on my Pogobob Chatham island 🏝 Oceania Rhopalostylis sapida

Congratulations, before I got my property I was renting, and my whole backyard was full of container plants. When the landlord asked me about them I said I was building a house and that was my future garden. I know how you feel it’s a proud moment well done. Build yourself a nice deck and in 25 years time sit on that deck and be amazed at what you have created.

Motivation to not give up on your palms over inclement weather, spend a few hours protecting. 17°F in January. Pictures from today in Pearland, Texas Copernicia alba Phoenix theophrastii ‘Golkoy’ Butia Copernicia alba Liviston nitida King Ravenea rivularis Phoenix sylvestris and Livistona decora Livistona decora Queen Beaucarnea recurves Bismarckia Bismarckia Livistona Australis

More rain and the garden is going crazy you would think you where in Hawaii, let me dream of a land far far away on a tropical island called Hawaii where palms grow just by looking at them.

My porch view is currently really chaotic, but it makes me happy because a lot of my plants will FINALLY get to go in the ground (this is just one of the areas under development). In my mind I see the final result... so it's beautiful to me.

today we saw this Phönix roebelinii in Discounter for 19.95 usda. Sabine spotted them immediately and bought one immediately, as there were only two. i was surprised and speechless at the same time It is 107cm / 3ft 42inch high.