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Hello ! Was lucky enough to explore the forests of Costa Rica : from altitude cloudy forest to dry savanes. They have it all, with amazing species. A special thanks to Jeff who gave me great advices and IDs. Some of you might know him.

Hey y'all I thought this would be a cool post to make this is what my 2025 garden season was like. I'll post favorite pictures average temperature for each month etc. OK I'll start off with what our coldest temperature was and our hottest temperature was and average temperature for each month of the growing season (March-November) March. March for us was generally a mild month our warmest temperature was 81 And our coldest temperature was 19. our average daytime 57. night time 38 April. April was a lot like March it was more mild not as hot as I have seen but it wasn't too bad. our warmest temperature for the month was 90 (Very warm for April) Our coldest was 18 (Very cold for April lol) our average daytime 66. night time 47 May. May Was a pretty average month. Typically our may's are a little warmer but it was pretty normal. our warmest temperature recorded was 85 Our coldest temperature was 30 (Very cold for May for us But can happen probably due to us being in the Appalachian) The average high was 73. Our average low 56 June. June was a pretty hot month. Many days we had were 90 plus degrees outside It was more like July weather for us. our warmest day recorded was 100 (Very warm for June) Our coldest temperature was 49. our average daytime 86. night time 67 July. July was a very hot month there was very little days That were Below 88f We also had very little rain Our warmest day was 100f And our coldest day was 66f. our average daytime 90. night time 72. Otherwise it was a nice and warm month just very dry August. August on the other hand was below average. Not a lot of action in the garden it was a very dry month Only one day of rain and that did pretty much nothing. Our warmest day was 93 and our coldest day was in the mid 30s (That is very cold for us in August but it was recorded towards the end of the month) our average daytime 82. night time 64 September. September was also a below average month For temperature and rain, we had no rain in September the garden really suffered. Our warmest day was 90 And our coldest day was in the mid 30s (Also cold for September in our area) our average daytime 79. night time 59 October. October was also a below average month for rain and temperatures. The garden didn't really grow that much. Our warmest temperature was 85 And our coldest temperature was 30. our average daytime 67. night time 47 November. November we had our first Killing frost within the first week of November so the garden didn't do much our warmest temperature recorded was 75 And our coldest was 17 our average daytime 52. night time 36. The whole month of November wasn't that bad it was a little below average but not bad Overall it was not a bad growing season. The last couple months were below average and Very DRY. but the rest was really nice. also here are my favorite picture of my garden let's hope for a great 2026 growing season everyone!

A built of Basselinia inflorescence’s. B. eriostachys and B. glabrata. Tim

Pinanga disticha, Licuala grandis, Licuala glabra var. glabra.

One beautiful palm from New Guinea. Clumping, colorful, well behaved, and attractive entire leaves. Copious amount of indument on the rachis and leaf veins. Been in ground for around twelve years. I’ll add photos of the colorful inflorescence and seed if and when that happens. Tim

Chrysalidiocarpus Lutescens some pink on the new spear to accent the orange/gold The colorful fruit of Chamaedorea Microspadix goes well with the soft green texture of the leaves. Harry

As the sun fell lower in the sky, something red was lit up toward the east. What could it be? Grabbed the phone and went to see. A sight I have never witnessed before, the unveiling of a fresh inflorescence of Loxococcus rupicola -- and wow, was it ever RED! Below you can see what caught my eye. Closer -- evidently I was disturbing a pair of Madagascar geckos -- can you find them? Below you can see the formed seeds on another Loxococcus rupicola. I sometimes have trouble remembering the name of this palm. My trick is to start with Coca-cola and then it falls into place.

A few chamaedorea alternans that are a wonderful addition to the collection, a few more dypsis minuta are always welcome anytime, the Pinanga sylvestris should be a nice one for the garden, with a rare licuala micholitzii. All welcome additions for the collection and the garden.

A desiccating Chambeyronia hookeri leaf adds a bit eye catching attention for a fleeting last flash of red!

Wowowowo thank you very much for these amazing pictures

Caramel Pluto philodendron Golden Crocodile philodendron Kiett mango from seed Jesus Christ my arms are hairy. Anyway here's your color.

I’ll do my best! I’d start by asking Darold!

The current forecast for my area is around 32 tonight. Of course, I listened to the radio on the way home and they were freaking out about 26 in Sanford! Apparently their forecaster thinks that Sanford is super near Jax...sigh... I put a cardboard box over an Arenga Westerhoutii that took some significant frost damage in the December front, and another box over a Corypha Lecomtei just because. Otherwise it's Darwinism at work, and hopefully all the freshly sprouted weeds (er...hardy imported and native annuals and perennials) take the brunt of it!

A few more photos. Tim

This is the bigger of two Presto Hybrids I got from FB two years ago. Whether it was the same pollen doner... who knows. It has been a fast grower here in So Cal.

Joeys are so so adorable & one of my top favorites !! I have one that's a 2 leafer that lives inside my greenhouse cabinet. I am absolutely terrified when it's time to repot as they hate root disturbance.💀

Beautiful, although that glabrata is going to need a babysitter...!

I think this dypsis louvelli classifys as a bit of colour!

I posted the white one earlier. Here's the pink one.

2 pics from yesterday and 2 from today. I love this dypsis Mt. something or other

Richard, cataractum does not form any upward growing trunks. The leaves are similar to this one though.

Great post! Can’t wait to see how that Needle Palm looks when matured. What was your coldest temp in December?

Canopy is a life-saver on marginal nights.

Been a long time lurker of this forum and finally decided to make an account to share the freezing conditions at my parents' home - wunderground stations show 22-23°F while the weather channel displayed 24-25°F My personal hygrometer didn't drop below 27.5°F and my Alfies still look green on camera (I am away from there at the moment). We seem to be in a location where the cold "funnels in" from the northwest (lucky us!) so I did my best to plant the Alfies on the south side of the home. They already took two shots down to 26°F this winter but this has to be undoubtedly the coldest morning this far. The hygrometer is reporting 5.5 hours below freezing and counting, but at least we're on the upswing now. I will say, I am thoroughly impressed this far on how these 15 gal trees have faired thus far. Fingers crossed, knock on wood!

Big factor that played into parts of the valley being fairly mild this morning, vs. say yesterday ( ..though that also depended on where someone is located ) had to do with light breeziness that persisted overnight which helped keep air at the surface mixed ..a term that essentially works out to bringing warmer air down to the surface / not allowing cold air to pool / mixing it out.. Sounds odd but this time of year, air a few thousand feet above the surface here is warmer than closer to the surface and when the wx pattern sets up in a way where that inversion is disrupted, it can result in warmer overnight lows.. Strong high pressure can add to that effect. If any breeziness is coming from the north east / east, that air is also descending off the rim / mountains to our north and east. In most cases, descending air, esp. under a high pressure area, warms as it moves downhill, so that can help keep morning lows mild.. ..It's exactly the same kind of setup S.Cal. can see ( Santa Anas ) ..just not as pronounced, most of the time at least. Topographical profile in many areas of CA greatly enhances the compressional warming effects of descending air. Elevation is the next factor.. Hill top neighborhoods out there / around the rest of the valley ..pretty much anywhere here, or in CA. can be milder than those located downhill, next to River / less densely developed and flatter areas down in the valley ( IE: Queen Creek / San Tan / Casa Grande ). localized UHI effect can help the more developed areas of the valley stay a little milder.. More so if it stays breezy, and that breeze is already mild.. ..That played a part in areas close to downtown PHX staying ..downright warm.. ( for mid - Jan. ) this morning. NWS mentioned the influence breeziness overnight / around at sunrise had on morning lows locally and in other areas.. I also noticed a similar, very obvious wind shelter effect when eyeballing morning lows down in Tucson a couple days ago.. Regardless of elevation, large area located in the central part of town was about 6 degs milder than areas to the north / south of that specific area, and that " mild corridor " extended all the way from the neighborhoods right below the Catalinas, all the way downhill to the river / downtown. It's usually neighborhoods located right next to the Rillito / Santa Cruz Rivers that can run the coldest this time of year but, that morning, areas of town that had no / very little breeziness from the east / northeast at that time, due to that breeze being blocked by mountains, regardless of elevation, were the coolest. Touching on that, if your house / neighborhood sits in a wind sheltered spot / area of town where breeziness might have dropped off thru the night, you might end up seeing 45F on your thermometer at sunrise, while 2 miles away / couple hundred feet above your yard, at a friends house, it's already 56 or 7. It isn't talked about much here compared to back home in CA but we have plenty of " ideal for pushing tender stuff " Thermal Belt spots around the valley / here and in Tucson. Regardless, Less ( or no ) widespread breeziness tonight, morning lows will be more consistent / within a smaller range valley - wide. Reached 80 ..just long enough to register, after bottoming out at 44 ( no breezes thru most of the night here ) We'll see if we make a run at 80 again tomorrow. Weekend looks great regardless.

I'm SICK sick and haven't been out here in a few days so here's some videos. Y'all are missing out. I'm informative and entertaining.

Chamaedorea pochutlensis, nativa de tu estado.

Please help me source one!

Hrrr model has been getting warmer every run. Also current temps are higher than all models say they would be for the time. My forecast on my phone app has also risen 3 degrees. From 30 to 33. Interesting

I slide mine out on nice days, especially when the sun is shining. Today is one such day. I think we're forecast to get a run of sunny weather. (Jan. 15 2026)

Nope. They produce this many seeds every year. You can always clip off the flower stalks when they appear if you don't want to deal with the seeds. aztropic Mesa, Arizona

It sounds like your pygmy date palm is experiencing transplant shock, which is pretty common, especially if it was very root-bound. Repotting stresses the plant, and indoors it may also be adjusting to lower light and different humidity. The time of year can matter—late winter or early spring is usually best, but palms can recover if cared for properly. Focus on consistent, moderate watering, avoid overfertilizing, and give it bright, indirect light. Patience is key; recovery can take a few months while the roots re-establish.

@ASHCVS Lepidorrachis would be AWESOME for your glorious ocean front garden!

Hi Brad, no, we are not officially listing until February... we wanted the Palm world to have the opportunity first. If you'd like to chat... call us! Irene 646 338 7882.

Oh, wow! My impossible dream palm. I'll admire yours from a distance. I can't say I know much about them but my instinct tells me the more shade the better. This palm is notoriously heat-sensitive. The San Francisco area may be the only place in the US where it can survive outside of an air conditioned conservatory. You have a treasure.

You all did it!! $25,000 was raised for Ravenea louvelii. As Conservation Chair for IPS I want to thank every one of you for helping save this remnant palm population. If our palm people had not stepped up, the situation in Madagascar might have become bleak. We will keep you posted on what Mijoro and his team are doing.

Back in early 2022 I was lining up gardens for the IPS Biennial to tour later that fall. Lars and Irene had generously agreed to open their incredible garden as well as host a delicious lunch for the visitors. As we walked the garden paths to decide what areas of the property would be safe for the tour, Lars and Irene would point out tiny (to me, invisible) defects that they promised would be corrected before IPS arrived. A brown leaf on a palm got clipped off. A single weed in an otherwise perfect bed would be yanked out. A struggling rare palm would be given an extra ration of fertilizer, etc. A wilted flower would be pinched off. I looked at them, and looked at this unbelievable garden that is always ready for its closeup, and said, ‘Well you two are definitely NOT going to lead the tour.’ They chuckled and agreed it was a rare privilege to live surrounded by such a magical landscape. When Lars and Irene arrived and I learned their backgrounds, my first thought was Green Acres. But they have thrived in their new life, always filled with good cheer. In addition, they have become quite the palm experts. It has been an unlikely, yet perfect, match between stewards and garden. The property has been infused with a generous helping of good karma. Whoever will be the next to take custody is in for a treat.

Fresh water but ..Washies definitely don't have issues w/ consistently wet feet, .out here at least. ..or dipping their trunks into the drink, look closely.. Agua Caliente Park, Tanque Verde area of Tucson, 8 / 2021.

They’re not the best indoor palms. It can be done but you’ll need to pay attention to its watering , indoor humidity, and very likely provide strong supplemental lighting. Watering: water a bit less in winter when active growth slows but I would not let it dry fully out. If possible keep it outdoors in partial to full direct sun and they are used to direct sun. You’ll need to possibly acclimate it to that slowly most likely. they can and will be ok if leaving in a gill tray of water for extended periods as well especially when kept on the warmer side. But I wouldn’t let it sit like that for more than several days. Humidity: i wouldn’t allow your indoor humidity to drop below 55-60% for very long. They’re from very humid tropical climates and that is what they prefer. Lighting: indoors in winter or longer it would be very beneficial to provide enough supplemental light to mimic full sun daylight hours. They will handle some shade even deeper shade outdoors but indoors they will very likely prefer and do better with a good amount of supplemental lighting. Good luck with it! I hope it will thrive for you ! Photo of one of mine that lives outdoors in Florida zone 10b for interest. I’ve had this one since Feb 2018 when it has less than 12” of clear trunk. They can be relatively faster growers for sure esp given the right conditions.

Here's one growing in the water at Presa La Boca, Nuevo León, México. However, this is freshwater, not salt water.

Lars and Irene performed hundreds of miracles in this garden. It had been somewhat neglected between when Jerry passed and when the garden came into their hands. They dug mud from the lily pond and restored it. They brought the palms, anthuriums, bromeliads and other exotics of the garden back to vibrant life, and the overall garden to its full glory, learning everything as they went. I do hope to see this garden pass into hands equally devoted to this masterpiece. Thanks to Lars and Irene for the several wondrous times we have had the pleasure of visiting.

First one is what was D. Ampasindave and the flower of L. Rupicola

Good genes with that plant. Gonna be a killer multi in 5yrs+. Love Ambositrae. -dale

Pinanga sp.

More Latania

More Cocos nucifera

So, this post is inspired by Tracy’s C. prestonianus seed bounty. That time of year eh? Tim

I have been reluctant to add any Pleurothallis to my collection for years after hearing they like high quality water. That said, I broke down this weekend during Andy's Orchids open house. I have always been attracted to the leaves. This Pleurothallis modestissma is representative of what I like. I am curious if others have experience with the genus and growing tips?

Chamaedorea seifrizii possibly. If not seifrizii, it appears to be Chamaedorea of some sort.