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It's been an usually long winter this year, the plant losses much higher even than in a frost event year. My biggest ever seed buy up from RPS, in preparation for spring, was seized by quarantine, who cant give me a reason as to why they seized them, but just want a bundle of cash to release them. I find it galling enough to buy seeds that dont germinate, seedlings that croak a few days after arriving, or paying out for bigger plants that keel over for no apparent reason, so I am damned if I am going to be held to ransom by the quarantine service as well. This morning I woke up...the scales fell from mine eyes..to quote the new testament (I think), I made a couple of big carboard signs advertising a rare palm clearance sale, and tied them to power poles up on the main road. Came home, made another sign for the gate, palm sale here, and another saying dangerous dogs no children admitted. Sat down, made a coffee or 2 and girded for battle. Queenslanders never fail to fall below my estimations. First lot through the gate started making faces and whining about the terribly high prices. Honestly if you were charging one cent per plant they would try to get a 3 for the price of one deal. Luckily for me and unfortunately for them, my plants, my house, my rules....and my manners are saved for those who recognise such social niceties. Expensive ? You really think so ? Then you sir/madam are an idiot, get out !! Some tried the old oooh that is so lovely but I really cant afford it. Well then you should have walked here instead of parking a $120,000 SUV outside my house. One of the local nursery owners even arrived....now he should have known better....but he didnt. If you all think I was appalling rude to the other idiots, then you should have heard what and where he was told to go and do. And then I got one of those "what about my children" types. The sign said no kids...whats to argue about. My dogs bite badly behaved kids. You should lock those dogs away. WHY ? My house, my plants, my dogs. Your kids, your problem. For a spur of the moment sale, everything was gone by 11am. I kept a few palms that were gifts from friends, or the seeds were gifts from people overseas, some that I really like and will live in my ridiculous climate. I no longer care about how much money I lose, after all the money I have spent over the years, I could never hope to break even. On the plus side, I am now down to a meagre 50 or so potted palms and aroids, from well over 300. In work and time alone its worth the financial tumble to be rid of the liability. I also had a handbag full of cash so I went and picked up all my lay-bys, bling, bling and more bling and a gorgeous pair of gollywogs !! Paid for a load of lucerne mulch to be delivered, grabbed some nice choccies, came home and watched my favourite opera (Carmen) on telly while munching on the aforementioned. Have I just experienced a major palm meltdown ? Will I deeply regret my impetuosity later ? Or have I cleared the decks for a less obsessive and more managable gardening experiences in the future ? Has anyone else ever been totally fed up with the croaking palms, seized seeds, and other assorted palm related catastrophes ? Or should I call the men in white coats now ? Peachy

I was thinking about it until you said "Dypsis free"...

If you would like to attend the luncheon at Dick's garden, please note the updated information: RSVP and Advance Payment Required: You may pay online (http://oct32010meeting.eventbrite.com/) or send a check to NCPS, 290 Margarita Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901. PLEASE NOTE: There is a processing fee of $2.37 per ticket for online purchases. You may also visit the NCPS website to access the payment link: http://www.palmsnc.org/pages/events.php Remember, you do not have to attend the luncheon to visit the garden. The meeting will begin at 1pm.

Well after being awake for 30 hrs - no sleep on the plane, and 6 hr wait in Sydney I am here in LOL not so sunny California . Bounced back alright this morning after some strong coffee and a workout ! and am very happy to be Here . Look forward to seeing whoever turns up at your BBQ Justin !

awww Sorry to hear you are feeling beat by the palms You didnt get rid of the Chatham Did you !

Actually Matt I was kidding about the cacti. Years of fighting an aloe infestation has put me right off anything even remotely like them. The in ground garden is practically a full time job and I do a LOT of mulching. No room for a greenhouse (and couldnt afford one anyhow) but now I get my carport, deck and second bedroom back. All the licualas, drymophleus, ptycospermas, dypis etc have now all gone....and good riddance. The people who bought them wouldnt know a bangalow from a bizzie, but at least now they are no longer my problem There's nobody locally who knows about palms who I could have given them to anyhow. Peachy

I know your pain Peach. I've recently come to the conclusion that I don't have time for being a plant nursery and have been giving away most of my potted palms, whittling it down to a much more manageable level. I can't do the constant watering, weeding, and potting up regimen, it's sucking the fun right out of this hobby and making it a job. My plan is to get it to where I only have one or two potted plants of any species, at any given time, only to grow them larger and plant them, and they all have to fit in my greenhouse which is set up with auto watering and heat for the winter. I can already feel the weight lifting off my shoulders as the number is reduced. I've also recently realized, I need to spend more money on mulch, and less on plants, to reduce the amount of weeding. We'll see how that goes Cactus and Agave are amazing plants that require very little care, an excellent choice. Matt

Dont panic Rich, there's still plenty of palms here in the ground....mainly because they are too big to pull out. Ari I am fairly sensible about what I try to grow here, its just been a pig of a winter. Jv, I know what you mean and if I ever move house I will get a designer in to do a garden. Richard, I would swap you houses in a minute if it wasnt for the language barrier involved. Bill, the local peasantry got some cheap palms even they didnt know what they are. I am just starting lent 6 months early. My reputation for terminal niceness has been shattered...I think that was the most enjoyable part of the day Peachy

Bubba, I think every Miami hotel should have these in their guest rooms!

Peachy, an interesting turn of events... can't say I've ever gone through a palm melt down but on a certain level have had a similar experience. I too had grown tired of battling palms that were questionable for my climate or those that were always problematic to grow. As such, when moving earlier this year I opted to take the opportunity to re-establish my garden with only bullet proof palms as well as complimentary plants such as yucca's and cactus. The rest were given away or just not transplanted from the old garden. I look forward to the lower maintenance level of palm care and won't worry as much when the next arctic blast comes... Jv

It is such a peaceful picture. Early morning, calm, warm air, quiet, and those big luxurious Cocos right next to the building to show scale. I can imagine people in that building getting up and looking out their glass sliding doors to check the weather while seeing those beautiful palms silhouetted by the morning sky and those puffy clouds. Very peaceful.

Beautiful coconut palms, a lovely high building to give an idea of dimensions, a perfect photo of a lovely place. Peachy

Glad I saw a remark about this today. I remembered it is the 28th.... But for some reason it stuck in my head as Sunday.

Wonderful silhouettes with clouds, thanks Bubba!

if you cropped that building out it would be better,imho

Great picture, Bubba. I'm not usually impressed with Florida's cocos, but those are beauts.

that is some of yer best work yet,bubba. is that yer job,now?

Southern California just broke off and fell into the ocean! Turn back Troy! Save yourselves! (my computer works underwater)

looking forward to it!

OK i am all packed -camera at the ready ! Look forward to seeing a few of you over in Cal !

Alright party people, just two days away. If you could, please send me a PM (or reply to this message) with an RSVP, so I can get the appropriate amount of food and drink. If you're a maybe, just respond with a 1/2. See you all on Saturday!