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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.

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.

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments! @mike in kurtisstown— you’ll see a wide range of clothing options worn by the women in Indonesia, but the overall mode is decidedly more modest than European or American standards. Headscarves are common but you will also see a large number of women without them. What you won’t see are miniskirts, very short shorts, or plunging necklines. The Indian women in beautifully pleated and draped saris may reveal part of their midriff, as is traditional. In a shared taxi one mother with a baby wore jeans and a colorful short-sleeve shirt, while another woman joined us in an elegant long mauve headscarf and matching skirt. Neither of them spoke English and I only have two or three basic words of Indonesian, but all were friendly with our smiles and gestures.

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.

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

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.

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 .

The second garden was bigger and a lot older and kinda clubbed us into submission. Livistona decipiens/decora.

They struggle to survive down here in coastal Tasmania but oh well 🤷

A top little bit of colour from the new leaves as seedlings the wallichiana. These ones have survived 3 winters so a tough cool tolerant on in the iguanura genus. There just starting to get a move on past the baby seedling stage. Looking forward to these ones in the garden.

Another one I germinated from seeds. They took a long time to germinate 12 months and not a lot from about 30 seeds I think. And there slow growing for the age of them. But an interesting palm that’s not going to set seeds in my lifetime so slow to grow. I will try to get them in the ground as soon as possible.

I think these transplant just fine. Just like C. lutescens. Superthrive helps... I just moved a 15ft field grown Dypsis sp. Lafazamanga yesterday here in South Florida. Me and a friend dug it by hand. I added 1/2 cup of Superthrive to a garden hose feeder to water it in. Helps skip the transplant shock. We'll see how it does. Hoping the flowers remain healthy for seed production!

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?

Only a mother could love the tender spines on this palm. So deadly to work with, no wonder you don’t see for sale. Germinated these ones mid way in 2022 so slow to get a move on, but once past that seedling stage they look like they will take off once repotted, or planted in the ground.

Just a couple weeks later and,voila! Another year of success with orange geiger growing in the Arizona desert. aztropic Mesa, Arizona

Agreed! I backfill the hole around the root ball while watering it in and I also take a heavy duty red cutting shovel and chop around the root ball straight up and down while the water is running to eliminate all the air pockets. IMO, The number one cause of palm death here in FL is when palms are planted by homeowners who leave air pockets around the roots. Most lawn care companies tend to do this too! JD

The first garden was a relatively small one but it packed a huge wallop. Brahea “Super silver” Pitcher plants (yeah they’re not palms but those who are offended can slap themselves)

My chamaedorea adscendens are flowering just at the near the end of autumn, a good indication that the seeds will be ready soon as well. So I will be keeping a close eye on the flowers and go about hand pollination of the flower’s using daily observations, to assist in the timing for collection of the pollen and for receptive females. After a few years of doing it I have learned what signs to look for. If the rain keeps up while they are flowering there will Be less seeds. So fingers crossed more seeds to harvest.

Here’s a bit of colour!

My royal palm from the top of my house

Never noticed your reply, I apologize @Looking Glass It simply sprouted from a batch of silver patent Hospita. Here’s a 2 year update… slow but coming along

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.

we visited my godfather at Lake Walen yesterday. he told us his Trachycarpus fortunei, the oldest is 50 years old and over 25 feet tall. How old are your Trachycarpus fortunei and how big are they? Show us your

I don't know what I was expecting but I wasn't expecting shawii to look/grow the way it does. Grows tall & holds on to basically all its leaves to the base. Some we're close to 5 feet tall! Took a scroll around Cabrillo state park in Point Loma, San Diego. Agave shawii var. shawii Ferocactus viridescens i believe. Mammillaria/Cochemiea dioica Mammillaria/Cochemiea dioica & Dudleya edulis above ( is my best guess?) Dudleya edulis? Yucca schidigera Yucca schidigera & Opuntia littoralis Opuntia littoralis Cylindropuntia prolifera I believe Bergerocatcus emoryi Unknown bush? Dudleya pulverulenta?

Lord have mercy..... That Hedy!

Royal poinciana doing it's thing in Mesa, Arizona May 2025. aztropic Mesa, Arizona

Mine is thirsty and flowering

The first two are great for your climate. The Washingtonia only seems to do well in the very south of the country. It will likely grow faster than the other two for now but I wouldn’t expect the kind of growth rates you’d see in a hot climate.

your Trachycarpus fortunei are beauties 🤗, Eckhard.

There has been discussion on the forum about cutting out terminal stems after flowering with this Caryota species. My experience is that they continue to send out puppies after the stem is removed . I have a few of these around my house that I have done this with over the years. Last year the one out front flowered and this year I cut it down …don’t want that thing to fall. It is very heavy for its size . Ask @DoomsDave what happens when an unplanned fall occurs! Harry I left a few feet of stem in the ground Removal went pretty smooth , not my first of this procedure….wont be my last! No special tools required! Neighboring Chrysalidiocarpus Decarii can now have a bit of room.

Hi, Peachy, you added a very important term to this subject - the Wallace line. I strongly recommend to everyone on this forum to check about its characteristics regarding the flora east and west of it. It is absolutely fascinating how nature may differ within such a small radius. (Please forgive me for chiming in unasked, but I remember when entering university and starting the subject of Southeast Asian Studies, it was one of the first topics we were asked to do research about.) @Kim, a great follow up - the Metroxylon species is on top of my most-wanted list, unfortunately I couldn't get a hand on its seeds yet. It is nice from you to keep us updated, even if you are occupied by other interesting activities. All the best to you when traveling to your next destinations, stay safe and please take your time when dating us up. Lars

Hi, just to add a few thoughts since Indonesia was a major topic in my second subject of study at university back then. Indonesia is the largest islamic country in the world but it depends on the region how strong local life is dominated/ruled by religion, not to forget that the well known island of Bali is actually ruled by Hinduism, tolerated by the central government. That means, you will experience sometimes completely different conditions in daily life when traveling within Indonesia. Being aware of those regional differences is of great help/benefit when navigating through it, not to mention avoiding unintended trouble. @Kim , you are doing great when reading local moods - you trip will become an awarding one, guaranteed! Lars

Ok. I just dug out my seed box, and there's another baggie of Nannerops (sp?), some African shrub thing, Brahea Edulis, and a huge bag of Thrinax Anthocoma(sp?) which look like they'll be totally cat proof. @DoomsDave sent me this box a while ago, and when he sends seeds he SENDS SEEDS. Edir: Oh I forgot there's some date palm seeds on the mat too but I forgot what kind. And I've got room on the other mat. The mat on top doesn't get as hot, I guess because it's closer to the window? I need to move these. Also added pic

I asked about that before I came. The island where Wallaceodoxa grows is too far away, out of range for the boats at this resort. 🫤

My Hybrid latania

I like it nice setup too. And some great plants a man with a passion for his plants good to see. You have took at the grower behind his plants and if you look closely you will see that glint in his eyes and that love for his plants he’s selling, and beyond that smile is a man who’s heart is in his plants he grows. I know how he feels iam the same with my plants the same feeling

A tough call saying it’s like Hawaii, but the amount of we have been getting is incredible. I have never seen this much rain before in my area. I have seen it as wet but not 1150mm in three months. One place is up to 2000mm in my area that’s a lot of water, and the garden is looking like it’s straight out of Hawaii only difference is we are going into winter.

Yeah I met Brian’s daughter in law who was helping me she even knew which ones to pick telling me about pulling on the spear and stuff she knew a decent amount! Yeah they had some full size ones didn’t expect that I was coming for the sabal minor seedlings.. then we eventually bought a nicely sized for 65$!!! Pindo palm.

Hi all, I went to the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens the other day and saw a carlsmithii. I always thought they grew like a decaryi or prestoniana, with that triangle shape, which they kind of do, but it looked like it was slowly twisting as it got older. So now I’m wondering, should I bother planting mine with the flat side facing the way I want, or will it just end up turning anyway? Does this twisting only apply to when it's matured?

What is the air humidity like in Phoenix AZ? I thought it must be low and I can not imagine how low air humidity may promote air born fungus. Instead I consider as decisively inhibiting factor soil and water alkalinity and lack of adequate organic matter in the soil. This may cause as secondary effect root fungus. I strongly recommend trichoderma treatment plus regular application of sulfur pellets, soil drenching with humic-fulvic acids and eddha chelated iron. And of course application of chemical fertilizers should cease unless you use reverse osmosis for irrigation. Here are some examples: Below specimens display heavy deficiency and grow near my garden in same native soil but amended with brought in top soil. Owner committed the usual mistake, namely she treats problem with heavier fertilizing, which only worsens matter. Then following specimen is belongs to me and it grows exclusively in the native, stony, alkaline soil in a slopy landscape. I follow the above treatment aiming at handling the pH issue. It has set fruit. Below you can see two nice specimens, growing inside concrete but because of this very same reason receive less alkaline water and no fertlizer.

I’m 15 LOL and am really getting into subtropical and hardier palms with some varieties in ground and some more on the tropical but still subtropical side like Majesties that have taken 24F and survived and stuff. You have me to keep the IPS alive lol and pretty sure PaPalmtrees too!

My pindo palm is now in the ground and getting established! I’m excited! Didn’t know Brian’s botanicals had full size semi and fully tropical palms for sale lol.

Thank you Chris. I think they're a great addition to the yard. I planted them at a partial shaded area.

JJ Divine w/ multiple flowers open now on her first Inflo. Flower color / size = perfect match for the variety... Scent might be more medium range than landing in the " strong " category description due to desert weather conditions but, definitely smells great.. Hard to pin down but would say somewhat classic Plumeria with notes of Rose, Cinnamon, and Citrus. Scent is noticeably stronger in the mornings and after sunset than during the day. Infos on the other two JJ cultivars scheduled to flower this year getting closer but still a few weeks out from flowering..

Looking like a lot of work . That is one heck of a stump to eliminate if I’m looking at the photo right , between the sledge hammer and the shovel. Might need some ibuprofen after all that! 😂Harry P.s. The garden is looking awesome.

Thank you . It’s been there about 20 years , grown from a one gallon plant. It gets quite a bit of water because of the Roystonia next to it . I have two , the other one is a bit smaller , not much . Both get water at least once a week , more in the hotter months. My soil is mostly fast draining shady dirt that gets an organic top soil amendment every year . There are a lot of limestone rocks in our soil. The rocks you see around the garden all came from the holes I dug to plant palms when the house was new. Harry ‘The other Decarii in the court yard. Planted a couple of years after the larger one. Lots of water on both of them . Most of the year here is arid and dry. Coldest winter temp in 28 years is 38f up on our hill. Harry

Welcome to the forum Dave. I don't live in the UK, so I won't claim to be any kind of expert on what you should grow. I have watched quite a few videos from UK gardeners though, so I can tell you what seems to work for those in the UK that I have seen. Your Trachycarpus wagnerianus is an excellent choice, and should grow relatively trouble free for you. I would simply recommend letting it gain size for a year or two before planting it out in the ground. The Chamaerops humilis will be almost as easy as the trachycarpus for you. All of the UK growers I have listened to stress the importance of good drainage for your palms, as waterlogged soil in the winter may cause you problems. Of the three palms you have, the Chamaerops will probably appreciate good drainage the most. The washingtonia will grow very quickly compared to the other two, and it is the only one of the bunch I would be a little worried about in a South UK winter. Unless you are in Cornwall or somewhere else directly along the South coast, or in a very protected spot, it will likely be marginal. Keeping freezing precipitation out of the center of the crown will give you the best chance of keeping it alive once it is planted in the ground. Good luck with them!

I love this palm . It has grown fast for me here

I have blackburniana and it's definitely different than bermudana. Definitely more compact.