What would you grow in Miami?

[velutina]

I'm moving to South Florida in May. Once I find a home, I want to plant palms as soon as possible. I'll be living there for 4 years, so want something that will be rewarding within that time frame I am planting a Coconut and Bizzy for sure, but what would you all suggest? What are your top 5 suggestions? I've lived in Las Vegas for the last 4 years where the options are very limited.

Thanks!

[PalmatierMeg]

At least one Licuala, whether the common grandis or one of the many others.

[DoomsDave]

Lipstick Palm!

Or, I would. The Miami pros can weigh in.

[waykoolplantz]

There's actually not much you can't grow.

Find a place with as much land as you can afford...they grow big and you'll run out of space quickly.

Great call on L Grandis...they grow great here

[Ken Johnson]

Give me a call as soon as you get here. I will bring you more palms than you know what to do with!

[andyf]

What would I not grow in miami!!!

I recommend one of everything.

[virtualpalm]

I would not recommend a Cyrtostachys in the ground, but perhaps in a pot that could be brought in during the occasional cold spell.

[Jeff Searle]

Like Mike Harris stated above, there really is a lot of palms to choose from. Many species of Licualas, Dypsis, Coccothrinax and Copernicias do very well here. Then you have Carpoylon,Wallichia, Ptychosperma, Livistona to name just a few, and many,many more. When you get settled in, I would love to show you many goodies I have to offer. Good luck.

Jeff

[redant]

"I would love to show you many goodies I have to offer"

Jeff and Ken are palm crack dealers, best to stay away from them before you become an addict!

[monkeyranch]

Another vote for Licualas and Caribbean/Cuban Coccothrinax, Copernicia, Psuedophoenix. Also Dypsis, Satakentia, and Hyophorbe. Absolutely Pinanga and Areca for rainbow colors. Check out fellow Palmtalker Geoff Stein/PalmBob's excellent article on colorful palms at Dave's Garden for more ideas. If I had a large enough property, I'd plant mini-groves of all of the gigantic monsters: Corphya, Metroxylon, Attalea, Lantania, Borassus, Arenga pinnata, Elaeis, Raphia, Dypsis robusta, Borassodendron, Bismarkia, Marojejya darianii, Mauritia flexuosa, Roystonea, and the huge Sabals. Ceratozamia, Lepidozamia, and the giant central African Encephalartos. Finally some of the more unusual Ravennea, some Pritchardia, Clinostigma, and the obligatory Cocos, maybe 'Samoan Dwarf' or 'Golden Malay'. And this lamp. - The ashtray, this paddle game, and the remote control, and the lamp, and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one.....

All of that in your four year stay. Looks like you might be in Florida a little longer.

One tangent question, hopefully one of the S. FL cats could answer. What ultra-tropical palms won't make it through Miami's rare cold spells? Pigafetta?

[DoomsDave]

Velute:

Base on what I've seen on this board, I offer a NO GROW FOR MIAMI LIST:

Jubaea, parajubaea, Ceroxylon, Rhopalistylus, Juauania (spp?) Brahea armata, I'm sure others can offer one, too. These hate the heat and/or humidity. Some, like Pigafetta, don't take the odd cold spells, including, I am advised, Cyrtostchys.

This might speed things up a bit.

Remember to ask the landlord's permission, and get it in writing. If you don't, he can accuse you of "waste" and hit you with a bill for removal when you move.

[Moose]

Another vote for Licualas and Caribbean/Cuban Coccothrinax, Copernicia, Psuedophoenix. Also Dypsis, Satakentia, and Hyophorbe. Absolutely Pinanga and Areca for rainbow colors. Check out fellow Palmtalker Geoff Stein/PalmBob's excellent article on colorful palms at Dave's Garden for more ideas. If I had a large enough property, I'd plant mini-groves of all of the gigantic monsters: Corphya, Metroxylon, Attalea, Lantania, Borassus, Arenga pinnata, Elaeis, Raphia, Dypsis robusta, Borassodendron, Bismarkia, Marojejya darianii, Mauritia flexuosa, Roystonea, and the huge Sabals. Ceratozamia, Lepidozamia, and the giant central African Encephalartos. Finally some of the more unusual Ravennea, some Pritchardia, Clinostigma, and the obligatory Cocos, maybe 'Samoan Dwarf' or 'Golden Malay'. And this lamp. - The ashtray, this paddle game, and the remote control, and the lamp, and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one.....

All of that in your four year stay. Looks like you might be in Florida a little longer.

One tangent question, hopefully one of the S. FL cats could answer. What ultra-tropical palms won't make it through Miami's rare cold spells? Pigafetta?

Whoa, whoa, whoa ... sounds like a Montgomery Botanical or Fairchild Garden list you got going Monkeyranch. Property is not exactly free here - meaning residential lots usually not very large. To have a one or two acre spread costs $$$ and you usually have to be on the outter edges of suburbia. Velutina needs to figure out how large of a palm is in the budget, rapidity of growth, how many, etc ...

A 3 gallon Coccothrinax sp is usually not going to move that fast in 4 years. Corypha, Borassus, Copernicia are all very slow as juveniles and take years before they start to trunk and accelerate. That is why biggins are $$$$ because you are paying for the growers time.

First you need a fence, next a dog before you plant anything.

[JasonD]

Latania, Coccothrinax, Thrinax, Leucothrinax, Pseudophoenix, Veitchia, Satakentia, Acoelorrhaphe, Copernicia - these delicacies all thrive in Miami, where soils can be very challenging. I wouldn't bother with Hilo specialities like Pritchardia & Clinostigma.

[velutina]

Thanks for all the replies! So many unfamiliar genera I need to learn! Ken, I will definitely give you a call! I'm looking for a good location to buy. I'll be working in South Miami. Would the commute from Cutler Bay (or even a bit south) be crazy? Google Maps says it's 22 minutes but a friend that lives there says that's way off with traffic. It seems like the best areas with large palm-growing yards (that are in my budget) are down toward Homestead. I'll be living on a resident salary for a few years, so can't go all out yet.

[Mandrew968]

I live in Cutler Bay and have 3 gardens, there--if you ever wanna see what looks good, shoot me a pm and it's as good as done.

[dan.vagnoni]

Latania, Coccothrinax, Thrinax, Leucothrinax, Pseudophoenix, Veitchia, Satakentia, Acoelorrhaphe, Copernicia - these delicacies all thrive in Miami, where soils can be very challenging. I wouldn't bother with Hilo specialities like Pritchardia & Clinostigma.

Pritcharias are actually pretty bulletproof in our rock and can be found growing in what appears

to be no soil at all. Some clinostogma also do well on a lime bassed soil. Fiji and many surrounding islands are built on this calcareous rock

[palmsOrl]

If I was within a few miles of the coast in the Miami area I would plant a large Cyrtostachys renda, Hydriastele costata, Oncosperma, all the Areca and Pinanga species I could get a hold of, etc. I could always protect my most prized specimens when rare cold does strike. Actually, I would probably try any tropical palm if I had enough space and a good irrigation system throughout.

[waykoolplantz]

Thanks for all the replies! So many unfamiliar genera I need to learn! Ken, I will definitely give you a call! I'm looking for a good location to buy. I'll be working in South Miami. Would the commute from Cutler Bay (or even a bit south) be crazy? Google Maps says it's 22 minutes but a friend that lives there says that's way off with traffic. It seems like the best areas with large palm-growing yards (that are in my budget) are down toward Homestead. I'll be living on a resident salary for a few years, so can't go all out yet.

The expressway gets jammed in the morning....locals know the low roads which can be quicker.

[JasonD]

Latania, Coccothrinax, Thrinax, Leucothrinax, Pseudophoenix, Veitchia, Satakentia, Acoelorrhaphe, Copernicia - these delicacies all thrive in Miami, where soils can be very challenging. I wouldn't bother with Hilo specialities like Pritchardia & Clinostigma.

Pritcharias are actually pretty bulletproof in our rock and can be found growing in what appears

to be no soil at all. Some clinostogma also do well on a lime bassed soil. Fiji and many surrounding islands are built on this calcareous rock

Do you have to protect the Pritchardias against lethal yellowing? I would think thurstonii, pacifica, and the elusive mitiaroensis would do well on the oolitic limestone, but disease might take them out. Which Clinostigma species thrive in limey soils?

[Moose]

Latania, Coccothrinax, Thrinax, Leucothrinax, Pseudophoenix, Veitchia, Satakentia, Acoelorrhaphe, Copernicia - these delicacies all thrive in Miami, where soils can be very challenging. I wouldn't bother with Hilo specialities like Pritchardia & Clinostigma.

Pritcharias are actually pretty bulletproof in our rock and can be found growing in what appears

to be no soil at all. Some clinostogma also do well on a lime bassed soil. Fiji and many surrounding islands are built on this calcareous rock

Dan - I was a bit suprised myself about "not bothering with" Pritchardia too.

Pritchardia hillebrandii planted summer 2006

[Moose]

Pritchardia pacifica also planted Summer 2006

[Moose]

Pritchardia remota - Summer of 2006, added to the Moose Land

[Moose]

Pritchardia sp. - planted spring 2009

[Moose]

Pritchardia thurstonii - planted summer of 2006.

4 of my 5 Pritchardias got planted the same day. A 17 day family vacation to Yellowstone National Park forced my hand. Rainy season was upon us and I feared if the got blow over and unwatered - they would be dead when I got back. There was alot of chipping hammer action to get these in.

[velutina]

I have lived in a building with only a balcony since I started this thread 3 years ago. Finally moving into a house next week with 1 acre of land to fill with palms.  Will finally get to use the excellent recommendations from this thread.  Things are about to get serious... 

Edited August 19, 2016 by velutina

[Alicehunter2000]

Wow....3 years later....so do you still only have 4 years more...or one year left. ....time loOKs like your limiting factor

[velutina]

17 hours ago, Alicehunter2000 said:

Wow....3 years later....so do you still only have 4 years more...or one year left. ....time loOKs like your limiting factor

I decided to stay in South Florida with no plans to move anytime soon! Time to jump into the hobby with both feet, completely and sparing no expense. 

First order of business will be finding a good source of compost and mulch. I calculate i'll need 20-30 yards of each! If any locals know a good source, please let me know! I'm also going to need to find somebody to dig some holes for me

 

[Alicehunter2000]

On 3/13/2013, 2:50:11, monkeyranch said:

I'd plant mini-groves of all of the gigantic monsters: Corphya, Metroxylon, Attalea, Lantania, Borassus, Arenga pinnata, Elaeis, Raphia, Dypsis robusta, Borassodendron, Bismarkia, Marojejya darianii, Mauritia flexuosa, Roystonea, and the huge Sabals. Ceratozamia, Lepidozamia, and the giant central African Encephalartos.

 

In that case I would concur with monkeyranch on the huge species....that would be super cool IMO....the smaller species can come later. I would also plant non-palm trees as well....will give more of a balance.

Another huge thing that I did 3 years ago when planning my yard is that I put everything on paper and made walking trails, viewing areas and areas for future hardscape features such as waterfalls etc. .....this has turned out to be a very good idea. I wished that I would have the room to plant groves of like species...that looks better to me than 1 of everything.

[Zeeth]

19 hours ago, velutina said:

I have lived in a building with only a balcony since I started this thread 3 years ago. Finally moving into a house next week with 1 acre of land to fill with palms.  Will finally get to use the excellent recommendations from this thread.  Things are about to get serious... 

Congrats on the decision to stay! I'd give the Cyrtostachys hybrid a shot if you can find it (which won't be easy). 

[topwater]

Being a lover of ginormous fan palms, I would take a pick of C. gigas/fallaensis/baileyana and plant it yesterday because the Cope's are so slow.  The Corypha, Borassus, Bismarkia will catch up. Then I would relax and take PT's advice concerning the pinnate stuff. I wish I had your problem!  

 

 

 

 

[kurt decker]

If i were starting on an acre in 2016, here is the approach i would use. Get some common, fast, cheap, wonderful things and go crazy. Bismarcks, veitchias, coconuts, royals, thatch palms, etc. That would give you some instant gratification. Then i would hit Ken and Jeff and the palm society sales and put together a collection of the best of the best. It's all available now, and at the best prices we've ever seen. Lots of absolute top shelf stuff loves Dade county. Play with the common great stuff while you hunt down the superbad. Five years from now you will be glad you did.

[Mandrew968]

No common crap! You will be upset you did. I have lipstick hybrids and stuff NO ONE else has.

[TikiRick]

I agree to plant quick large species which will create an instant canopy. Keep in mind not all palms will tolerate our harsh sun. 

If ever up in Fort Lauderdale, east toward the beaches, fell free to contact me. Tons of seedlings for you! Dig and go! 

[Cindy Adair]

Congratulations to you! I am excited about your ability to finally plant plenty of palms!

[waykoolplantz]

On 8/20/2016, 7:28:18, TikiRick said:

If ever up in Fort Lauderdale, east toward the beaches, fell free to contact me. Tons of seedlings for you! Dig and go! 

Rick has without a doubt one of the most beautiful gardens in Florida...you should stay in touch and check it out

[velutina]

On 8/19/2016, 5:44:01, Alicehunter2000 said:

In that case I would concur with monkeyranch on the huge species....that would be super cool IMO....the smaller species can come later. I would also plant non-palm trees as well....will give more of a balance.

Another huge thing that I did 3 years ago when planning my yard is that I put everything on paper and made walking trails, viewing areas and areas for future hardscape features such as waterfalls etc. .....this has turned out to be a very good idea. I wished that I would have the room to plant groves of like species...that looks better to me than 1 of everything.

I have enjoyed seeing the progress of your place! I have a plan of what I want, but wonder if finding a professional landscape designer would be worth it. 

On 8/19/2016, 11:41:33, kurt decker said:

If i were starting on an acre in 2016, here is the approach i would use. Get some common, fast, cheap, wonderful things and go crazy. Bismarcks, veitchias, coconuts, royals, thatch palms, etc. That would give you some instant gratification. Then i would hit Ken and Jeff and the palm society sales and put together a collection of the best of the best. It's all available now, and at the best prices we've ever seen. Lots of absolute top shelf stuff loves Dade county. Play with the common great stuff while you hunt down the superbad. Five years from now you will be glad you did.

This is EXACTLY what I was thinking of doing. Getting lots of fast growing stuff and planting rare stuff underneath. I am like 5-10 min from Searle Bro Nursery.

On 8/20/2016, 6:28:31, Mandrew968 said:

No common crap! You will be upset you did. I have lipstick hybrids and stuff NO ONE else has.

Any fast-growing rare stuff you recommend? 

On 8/20/2016, 7:28:18, TikiRick said:

I agree to plant quick large species which will create an instant canopy. Keep in mind not all palms will tolerate our harsh sun. 

If ever up in Fort Lauderdale, east toward the beaches, fell free to contact me. Tons of seedlings for you! Dig and go! 

Im not far from you! I'd love to come see your place!