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Here is an update on my Ceroxylon quindiuense. The seed collection was in Columbia, 1978, by my late palm mentor, Garrin Fullington. I ground planted it in the spring of 1983. It is a sibling from the same seed batch as the two plants in San Francisco Botanic Garden. I have not found aborted flowers on the ground yet, so the gender is unknown.

I planted this C. decipiens fifteen years ago as a five gallon seedling fully knowing I’d be a “old” guy before I’d see much trunk. Do we palm fanatics need patience in our genes? You bet!

Admittedly I have been woefully absent on this forum for a while. But I was walking around downtown Oceanside today with an old friend that bought me ice cream for my Birthday today. We opted to walk some of it off after and opted to walk by some of the old city of Oceanside buildings where they had some Rhopalostylis palms... I was very surprised to see a TWO-HEADED one! It looks very much like a sapida I think? Forgive if posted before... but I was thinking it may be the first "rareish" palm I've seen with 2 heads!!

I planted this palm tree in about 2005 from a 15 gallon container. This is its third year to flower. the other two years were far from spectacular. This year's flowering is a little better! I thought I would share. The shots were taken this morning an hour after sunrise. When I went out for my morning walk, while drinking my cup of coffee the palm was screaming at me to go back inside the house and grab your camera before the suns lighting changes!!! Enjoy, Randy PS one shot facing the back of my house, just because!

The first one I tried croaked. This one has been in increasing shade beneath an oak for at least 15 years, growing slowly, now seeming to pick up steam. Background has Archontophoenix and a Carpentaria trunk. Flowering bromeliad is a variegated Vriesea and the yellow flowers are an Oncidium orchid. All typical yard plants.

Would love to see posts of the tallest Howea in your gardens around the world! They are very uncommon to see in my area and I wish they were used much more. This one in the front garden is 25 years old and rising towards the sky. There are eleven others in the landscape of various heights but this one’s the tallest.

Orania Trispatha on the left, Chrysalidocarpus Robusta Hybrid on the right

Just an update for fellow palm talkers. After Texas Palm apocalyptic of 2021, and following bad winters and drought, I had enough. I made the leap to move to Zone 10b Santa Barbara. Anyone, that loves palms and plants in general, you will love visiting here. There is a great mix of everything from healthy Trachycarpus, possible the largest Jubaeas in USA, still thriving Canaries, Fishtails, Kentia, kings and newer plantings of Royals and such, all living near each other. Here are just a sample:

The unidentified Hydriastele. Open habit and nice color at this stage of its young life. Tim

Thought I’d throw in an update, a lot of growth since the last post. An amazing palm for sure. While dropping a leaf sheath is an event to look forward to, disposing of something that weighs as much as you can be a bit of a struggle. A good struggle. 😳 Tim

Photo from Saturday of my largest Chambeyronia pyriformis putting out a new leaf. This is growing in mostly shade in my jungle section where there is barely any soil on the lava rock. I planted 3 in January 2019; one died last year and the other is only about half the size of this one.

Tahina spectabilis between a pair of Crysalidocarpus carlsmithii Voanioala gerardii, probably the rarest palm in the garden. Tim

Thanks to the generosity of supporters of the IPS Save the Species campaign, a team from Kew and Comoros was able to complete important work on the endemic palms of the Comoro Islands. We have now completed our final report, which I’m delighted to share with you today - you can download it (in English and French!) at this link: https://zenodo.org/records/15924392 We were able to carefully survey all three islands in the independent Union of the Comores. We found Ravenea hildebrandtii and Chrysalidocarpus lanceolatus on all islands, but Ravenea moorei and Chrysalidocarpus cabadae only on Grande Comore (although the last is also reported from Mayotte). Palms are highly threatened on all islands, but the last two especially so. Chrysalidocarpus cabadae in particular is found only in coastal forests, which are highly degraded. Thankfully, our missions have inspired a new wave of palm enthusiasts and action to protect these species is already underway – please read the report to find out! This work could only happen because of the passion and motivation of IPS members – we cannot thank you enough! Please continue to support the society – in its fundraising, by subscribing to its publications and by participating in its travel opportunities (look out for the Vietnam Biennial – it will be phenomenal!!!). With your support, we can do so much more! Example plate from the report:

This past weekend I attended my first Northern California Palm Society Meeting in Montara, CA, at the home of Jim Sayre. He has has a great property on a south facing slope along the coastline, where the ocean moderates the temperatures during the day and night. The south facing slope offers more heat than some of the surrounding area, as well as a nice wind break. The results are incredible palms in their prime that you had to see to believe. Fortunately for you, I had my camera out and took these photos to share what I saw... Note: I may misidentify a palm or two below, if you spot a mistake, let me know! Enjoy! Grove of Parajubaea Torallyi... stunning to behold, they were in excellent condition and huge to stand next to. Brahea Clara + Parajubaea Torallyi Livistona Decora John Greenlee giving a speech on grasses that he helped advise the home owner on incorporating into the landscape. Jubaea Chilensis Caryota Gigas Livistona Decora Trachycarpus Fortunei Parajubaea Torallyi grove with a person for scale! Parajubaea Torallyi up close Parajubaea Torallyi up close Parajubaea Torallyi up close I believe this is a Butia Odorata Jubaea Chilensis, surrounded by succulents. Jason Dewees inspects a Pritchardia sp. Brahea Clara (silvery palm in the front) next to a Brahea Edulis (I believe). Chamaedorea Sp. with Cloud Forest Palms in the background. Howea Forsteriana Howea Forsteriana, up close. Rhopalostylis Sapida Trachycarpus Latisectus Rhopalostylis Baueri? Chamaedorea Plumosa Hedyscepe Canterburyana Chrysalidocarpus Ambositrae ... I believe. Hedyscepe Canterburyana Hedyscepe Canterburyana Chrysalidocarpus Ambositrae Hedyscepe Canterburyana Hedyscepe Canterburyana Chamaerops Humilis Hedyscepe Canterburyana Darold Petty, auctioning off plants that were brought to the meeting that day. Thanks for viewing!

Stepped out back and kinda let out a yell. It’s about 30 fee 10 m tall.

Jonathan and his better half Monica, recently spent a few days with us in Hilo and we had a blast. Friendly, funny, up for anything, well behaved, and fond of plants. Can’t ask for more than that. Incidentally, we were returning the favor for their hospitality on our visit to Tasmania in February. Other than showing them our favorite haunts like a smoking volcano, the Hamakua coast, and Hilo town, we did get a chance to wander the garden for intermittent PRA’s. (Palm related activities) Jonathan was patient enough to give scale to the photos while I snapped away. You’ll have to look close, some of these things are known as B_ _ A_ _ palms. Tim Kerriodoxa elegans Euterpe precatoria

Slightly closer view..

The Howea fosteriana it needs no introduction, it speaks for itself. Theres even a couple of variegated ones in the garden!

Some inspiration for any gardener:

A juvenile Oenocarpus bataua Pritchardia martii

The good old glauca a stand out palm in any collection. I have five in my garden and all are beautiful palms. Super tough dry tolerant cool tolerant palms sun or shade it doesn’t matter the beauties. These ones are about 24 years old grown from purchased seedlings from rosebud farm. What’s not to love about them!

Licuala peltata sumawongii Joey altifrons Should have taken more, but I think Johnathan has some to add as well. Tim

Growing so many palms and having a nursery I do sell a few palms by mail order. It’s a simple online business you basically wake up and have made a sale for a few palms to various locations around Australia and to some countries overseas. I post on Mondays so I get the palms ready over the weekend, the key to getting your palms to arrive in a healthy condition is packaging, first I place a bit of cardboard and paper towel over the soil and tape that in there. This way you tip the plant upside down and shake it all about that’s Australia post job to do that without losing the soil and disturbing the palm. Then a paper towel is placed inside a plastic bag then taped around the bottom of the container so no moisture damages the packaging and it helps keep the palm hydrated for its journey around the country or world. Then I use zip ties to secure the palm in the packaging so no damage is done during transport to said various locations. A business card is placed inside and then they are sealed up the address is placed on the packaging and away my little palms go to start a new life in another garden. They arrive as seeds in the mail and then they are sent out to gardeners by mail. I love it knowing my palms are going to various locations and gardeners to be loved it gives me joy and happiness @happypalms

took this pic from a boat in Newport California.....when they are in their element, they can become exquisite palms!

Chrysalidocarpus Mystery with nice coloring has caught my eye lately:

Obi Island, C elegans and mates then Obi Island leaves, then B madagascariensis

Chrysalidocarpus Hovomantsina showing off

Metroxylon amicarum Marojejya darianii, Jonathan impersonating one of the old fronds. Tim

Chambeyronia hookeri, still putting out spectacular new red leaves…look up, look up. Verschaffeltia splendida Clinostigma savoryanum

Just sitting around admiring the view, the saintlucei is looking good from the deck! What’s your current view!

I have a great view here facing southeast and west . It is the reason we bought this house 28 years ago. Our main bedroom , living room , kitchen and dining room are all on the view side of our home. Most of the south facing side of the house is glass with a stackable glass sliding door to merge our living room with the deck.We extended the deck space by adding a retainer wall many years ago . Two years ago we had a large stamped concrete slab to replace the flagstone that was not practical. Harry ‘The deck is about 60’ wide , this is right off our living room. Looking west in the evening About mid day Night time with the smoke from the fireworks , July 4th

I saw these two clumps of everglades palms today, and I was able to get some seeds off of them!

Pritchardia martii. The leaves remind me of Copernicia. The abaxial sides are almost pure white. Tim

A few more garden pics i took today after the rain. True Chrysalidocarpus lanceolatus...rare here in South Florida. Chrysalidocarpus albofarinosus kept in a pot cause they don't like being in the ground here in South FL... too wet. Caryota mitis variegated Chrysalidocarpus pulilifer Chrysalidocarpus arenarum Black Stem form Dypsis sp. 'Mayotte' very rare here in South FL but very happy. It's like a better pemba palm. Dypsis mirabilis Entire Leaf Chambeyronia houailouensis Chrysalidocarpus ifanadiana or 'Votovavy Blue'. Not sure which one yet. Dypsis refescens. Also quite rare here in South FL Dypsis cabadae x decaryi Chrysalidocarpus lastellianus. Does great in South FL but no one i know really grows them. No sure why. This guy is about 16ft tall and not trunking yet. Chrysalidocarpus nauseosus Chrysalidocarpus pembanus x leptocheilos

One palm that’s in the collectors books the Pinanga coronata. There is a var kuhlii that’s probably even better than the original coronata. A neat medium sized clumping palm, doesn’t really get messy dry tolerant cool tolerant, will drink whatever water it can get. A good landscaping palm that’s predictable in growth. An all round winner in the palm department!

When you’re obsessed with palms, short on space, and totally ignore the ‘space them out’ rule… Fast forward a few years, and boom!

Santo Domingo, DR

1) Find a big boy Jubaea chilensis, I happened to have one handy 10km from me. 2) Become friends with the owner or in this case administrator of the private school offer them a pogobob Chatham island 🏝 rhopalostylis Sapida 3) buy a big ole school vice from gumtree (the Australian equivalent of Craig's list) 4 ) place Jubaea seed in the vice and gently wind up until you hear a distinctive "crack" 5 ) soak the Jubaea seeds in water with 20ml of hydrogen peroxide and 2 teaspoons of sugar for 48 hrs 6) half bury in a zipped bag 50% perlite and peat moss 7) place in your guest bathroom that is heated to 26C 24/7 Check seeds in 4 weeks and they have germinated.

Inflorescence time on this Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus again. I need to get an umbrella out for the cycad below it, because a shower of golden flowers is imminent.

Here’s some of mine today in rainy winter NZ. Existing palms when we bought the house 15 years ago. They were initially growing under queen palms since removed and so are a bit stretched. The house next door is 3 storeys. I’m guessing 10-12m of trunk? Probably 20-25 years old

The good old kentia palm. As beeen discussed about there use in commercial landscaping and home gardens. Here’s a few around in the city centre of Coffs Harbour used for commercial landscaping purposes, and the last picture is a home in sunny Sawtell by the beach with a bellmooreana and a fosteriana being used in home garden. I see so many of them in my are and I can only imagine the ones iam not seeing. A beautiful palm that’s a very predictable easy growing palm, we all love them in palm land!

Pinanga chaiana

Looking down on the best( in my opinion) palm garden on the big island. Not to many people have seen it but if u have u are lucky

Just starting a thread for us to show off how our palms have grown over the years! I’m sharing my own photos, grown in partial sun, narrow space, no fertilizer, and just 1km from the sea here in tropical Singapore. Drop your own Before vs Now shots too! Whether your palms exploded with growth or took their sweet time, we’d love to see how different species perform. Bonus points for rare or quirky ones! 😎 Pic 1: Dec 2020 – Bismarckia nobilis, Areca catechu, and Johannesteijsmannia altifrons. Pic 2: Jul 2025 – Same lineup, 5 years later. Pic 3: The Areca got so tall it no longer fits in one shot with Joey! Here’s another angle. Pic 4: Dec 2020 – The Licuala orbicularis pair. The left one was already a decent size, the right one a bit behind. Pic 5: Jul 2025 – Both have grown into handsome plants with nearly perfect round leaves. Worth the wait! Pic 6: (Bonus) Dec 2020 – Trees planted by the government behind my garden, fresh in the ground. Pic 7: Jul 2025 – Trees grow like champs! Nice to have a government that values a green neighborhood. 🌳

Some nice old baronii in the garden doing well. The new golden cane is my sales push on this palm far more attractive to me than lutescens, but each to there own on that one. I do get the odd seed or two from them.

A few new summer plantings that just went in the ground this week. Now that I actually have some canopy and protection, I decided to get a couple of Joey palms in the garden: Joey Magnicia on the left and Altifrons on the right. Altifrons planted (above) with my loyal companion Suubi in the background. Magnifica planted below: Then for some sun plantings, up first is a Pritchardia Martii in my Hawaii / Pacific Islands planter: overgrown 1 gallon plant above, planted out below. The last new planting for now is a Lemurophoenix that I’ve had in a pot for years. These seem to hate being in pots (at least for me) so I’m hoping it gets happier in the ground. Sadly this spot only opened up in my Madagascar planter because I recently lost a trunking Chrysalidocarpus Infanadiannae. Some sort of fungus took it out. Hopefully this Lemurophoenix thrives in this corner spot.

I was keen to check on the Lemurophoenix halleuxii, which has added quite a bit of height over the last 2 years.

Phoenicophorium borsigianum. Beautiful palm from Seychelles. Tim

A few cute little things who's identity I can't recall...

Okay... it may not be me you want to see so much... so more of the palm.