Expressing Gratitude for PalmTalk

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

I just wanted to say that I am really thankful for PalmTalk. I've been into palms ever since I can remember, but I've only seriously been growing my own since the mid-90's. But my garden has taken on a completely new look ever since I've joined PalmTalk. Last Spring, I realized I had way too many fruit trees and I was missing a lot of fan palms, having only large pinnate palms like parajubaea, arenga, rhopies, archontophoenix, ceroxylon and butia. So I joined PalmTalk to learn a bit more and I've been busy pulling out the excess fruit trees and planting lots of brahea, sabal, livistona, lucuala, crysophila and bismarckia to make up for the missing fan palms. I still wonder how I could have overlooked fan palms all these years, a garden doesn't really look tropical unless it has both. It's safe to say I've closed the gap. I even managed to score a few stone gate trachy, which look absolutely stunning, never seen a blue trachy before, these things have fronds with blue upper sides and white under sides.

After joining PalmTalk, it was clear I was missing far more than just a few fan palms. I've managed to fill in many holes with Zealandia and Madagascar stuff that I really didn't know much about until joining PalmTalk. Not to mention, all the hybrids that I also didn't know about such as the BxPC, JxS, foxy ladys and teddy bear hybrids. It's been tough to make the right selection for our rather tricky climate. How do you pick out the right tender palms for a mild USDA 10a zone that can grow with Summer night lows as low as 44F and can take 3 months of moist and chilly Winter soil? A USDA 10a zone in Florida would support ultra-tropicals like coconuts and foxtails. But no cocos nucifera or foxtails here unless they're made out of plastic. That's been tough to select and I gave it my best shot, but the climate here will have to make the final selection.

Thanks to all the great posts and wonderful discussions here, and lots of advice from many people. It's very clear that PalmTalk has had a profound impact on my garden. There's no question that the PalmTalk crew can be pretty tough, but in hindsight, when I look at my garden today, getting harassed was really no big deal. The rainforest section is now almost done, just about 2-3 more specimens to go into the ground, and the rest of the garden now has an all around border of palm giants like parajubaea, sabal and livistona that hopefully will provide a stunning tropical backdrop to the remaining fruit orchard. I was originally planning on planting about 20 or 30 palms, I think it's ended up more around a hundred or so.

I still have a big section of the garden that's getting re-landscaped into a desert scape, so my work is far from done. Pictures coming soon, so don't post more useless picture about useless threads without pictures. This post is just meant as an acknowledgment of gratitude and thanks. Remember that every time you post to PalmTalk, you're helping someone like me plant a more beautiful, more diverse palm garden.

[doranakandawatta]

I'll join Axel expressing his gratitude with better words than mines.

I have the same feeling every day on Palmtalk , with the new posts and also digging deep in the archives.

Again many thanks.

Philippe

[stygiana]

Thank you Axel for saying what I feel deep inside, I did not know how to express it.

I'm so grateful to this forum and its members!

It is changing my life, not only my garden and work!!! Not kidding.

[realarch]

'Ditto', this forum has been a big part of my life for the last 6 years. Always look forward to logging on and making contributions.

Tim

[TikiRick]

I've been hooked on palms as long as I can remember. In history class, I was doodling pictures of palm fronds!

Living in perhaps one of the warmest spots in the continental USA, I'm a bit spoiled of what can I plant. Being in my property for 13 years now, one would think I'm planted out...but I can always squeeze in a few more palms or crotons.

As stated before, thanks to all of you who've either offered guidance, or to not plant....thanks!

I can't imagine my coffee without PalmTalk.

[Cindy Adair]

Free, entertaining, educational, inspirational, colorful (in both senses of the word), always "open" as long as there's a working internet connection, great for research, funny/serious depending on the post, even a way to "meet" nice folks all over the world who care about palms that I can sometimes even meet in person....

Well, what more can I ask?

[bgl]

Axel,

Thanks a lot for taking the initiative to this thread and for expressing your thoughts and feelings so eloquently. And thanks as well to Philippe, Sebastian, Tim and Cindy of course! It's no exaggeration to say that PalmTalk is an important part of the everyday life for all of us who check in here on a fairly regular basis and it's always satisfying to know that the contacts and information gained through PalmTalk has had an impact on someone's life in a useful and positive way!

Bo-Göran

[PALM MOD]

Something worth remembering is that it is the resources that the IPS has invested over the years that have allowed PalmTalk to improve to it's present form and to continue to operate. Without the IPS, there would be no PalmTalk. So the best way to express your appreciation is to support the IPS, and let them know how much you enjoy and value PalmTalk.

[Cindy Adair]

Well said Dean and I totally agree.

[DoomsDave]

Join the IPS (and the PSSC, sorry can't let that pass . . . . )

[Phoenikakias]

Who does not want really, but the actual question is nevertheless who can afford it. All of you on the other side of the pond, you have no idea how much it costs to all of us in Europe to keep our palm collection free from rpw and paysandisia

[Kim]

A day without PalmTalk is like a day without sunshine. I have learned so much here, and continue to learn something new nearly every day, thanks to the active world-wide palm conversations.

A friendly reminder -- there is a "Donate" button at the top of the page. You can always show your appreciation -- no donation is too small. If you do, be sure to mention PalmTalk in the "comments" area as you make your donation.

[doranakandawatta]

Kim,

Is this "Donate button" linked to the "2013 PT supporter" logo with lovely fronds most of us have on the right side of the posts?

When do Palmtalk start 2014 PT supporter logo, in 2014? Can we add a donation if already PT supporter?

[Kim]

Philippe, the "2013 Supporter" banner was for participants in the fundraiser held at the beginning of the year. Thank you for participating! The yellow "Donate" button is at the top of the page, just to the left of the Rare Palm Seeds advertisement. Anyone can use the button to initiate a donation any time, for any amount. A donation won't automatically result in a "2013 Supporter" banner, but those who donate could contact the Palm Mod and possibly work something out.

[Grasswing]

I have to thank palmtalk also. For someone like me who lives in cold country is palmtalk place where I am nearest to all palms in the world. I found very good friends here. Palmtalk really opens the door.

Thanks to all administrators, they are doing great job.

I am glad that all around the world exist people who love palms, people like me.

Regards

Andrew

[PALM MOD]

Who does not want really, but the actual question is nevertheless who can afford it. All of you on the other side of the pond, you have no idea how much it costs to all of us in Europe to keep our palm collection free from rpw and paysandisia

Some of us can afford to donate or join the IPS - some of us can't. But there are many other ways to support or thank the IPS.

One simple and inexpensive way is to contribute here with interesting topics, post, and pics. Believe it or not, only a small portion of people who visit here actually post.

So please - to all you lurkers - try posting pics, asking questions, and participating. And to you who already do - do it more.

[PALM MOD]

Philippe, the "2013 Supporter" banner was for participants in the fundraiser held at the beginning of the year. Thank you for participating! The yellow "Donate" button is at the top of the page, just to the left of the Rare Palm Seeds advertisement. Anyone can use the button to initiate a donation any time, for any amount. A donation won't automatically result in a "2013 Supporter" banner, but those who donate could contact the Palm Mod and possibly work something out.

Since this Supporter Badge was intended to only last until the end of the year - I don't see any harm that if you make a donation of $10 or more, and want the Badge until then, just let me know that you have made a donation and I don't think anyone will object. Doing so before the fast approaching Board of Director meeting will help express your gratitude to them.

[doranakandawatta]

Dean,

Why don't we support PT again next year? and get a 2014 Badge as it is this year?
I see this badge as a community symbol of the gratitude we share, as Axel expressed it with beautiful words (sorry sorry I am french... so my english is poor).

Besides, I don't want to show by any mark, badge or symbol the donation I can make by using the yellow button, this can be something discrete .
I think I mixed up the 2013 PT supporter and the donation button, which are two different things.

But again, as earlier threads told about "camaraderie", and Axel's tell in this one:

Thank you IPS and Palmtalk, and the human beings behind all that!

Budu Saranai

if we say "Budu Saranai !" to someone, then it means "May the blessings of the Lord Buddha be with you!".

[doranakandawatta]

It's not such an old thread Axel started last month, but it tells very well how we thank Palmtalk for the way it is!

We also should think about the young generation, just joining IPS BECAUSE OF PALMTALK!

And for them, enthusiasm and experience with palms is just starting to "germinate":

Who in the BOD was 16 years old and reading Genera Palmarum? I know one Palmtalk kid who does!

How many of us, members, are reading that book?

Like palms, we have to care about the next generations who'll build our canopy for the next years!

Does IPS want to look like a cemetery?

Kindest regards

Budu Saranai

Philippe

[SanDimas]

I still haven't read all the posts re the proposed changes and desention

but its probably due to shortage of funds/advertisers?????

Should we donate to PalmTalk or the IPS?

How much is the IPS membership?

Its not listed.

I concur with everyones sentiments

and my gratitude to this site.

Ritchy

[PALM MOD]

These are ideas I am jotting down. I don't have the time to go into details, but some of the issues that are involved in the above ideas may be addressed at some point in the future.

One big problem is that all donations here or on the IPS site go to the same place. There is no way to make sure PT gets credit for anything at this point. I really want to find a solution to that oversight. I may open another Fund Raiser for the month of January - just for those who want to donate and get a new badge - but nothing else like T-shirts, books, etc. It would then be easy to show how much larger the donations were for the month, and the BOD could get some idea of the financial support PT can provide.

[SanDimas]

This is so confusing.....

On the 3rd previous post at 5am, Philippe post...thanks be to Buddha.

But 2 hours earlier, at 3 am he posts...

If things are not getting better, I'll delete all my photos and leave, sure!

But I hope... Who knows?

------------------------------------------------------

What the heck is going on?

Im Confused.

I guess Ill just wait for the official word/announcement

from the moderator.

[SanDimas]

These are ideas I am jotting down. I don't have the time to go into details, but some of the issues that are involved in the above ideas may be addressed at some point in the future.

One big problem is that all donations here or on the IPS site go to the same place. There is no way to make sure PT gets credit for anything at this point. I really want to find a solution to that oversight. I may open another Fund Raiser for the month of January - just for those who want to donate and get a new badge - but nothing else like T-shirts, books, etc. It would then be easy to show how much larger the donations were for the month, and the BOD could get some idea of the financial support PT can provide.

Youre the BOSS.

JUST SAY WHEN.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

This is so confusing.....

On the 3rd previous post at 5am, Philippe post...thanks be to Buddha.

But 2 hours earlier, at 3 am he posts...

If things are not getting better, I'll delete all my photos and leave, sure!

But I hope... Who knows?

------------------------------------------------------

What the heck is going on?

Im Confused.

I guess Ill just wait for the official word/announcement

from the moderator.

Ritchy, it's really simple: the BOD had voted to close personal messages on PalmTalk, thus destroying a major component of the social fabric of the online IPS community. Dean obliged, and people started rioting. Very quickly, the BOD realized their mistakes thanks to Dean and others making it painfully obvious to the BOD. That's all I can see from my vantage point. Apparently, the BOD may be going a step further even in trying to facilitate more positive changes for PalmTalk, I am just guessing that based on Dean claiming more good news is on the way.

At this point, trust Dean, if he says things are ok, it means things are ok. The fires have been put out, and hopefully reform is on the way.

Now if you want to get into conspiracy theories ... nah, better leave that one alone for now.

[PALM MOD]

This is so confusing.....

On the 3rd previous post at 5am, Philippe post...thanks be to Buddha.

But 2 hours earlier, at 3 am he posts...

If things are not getting better, I'll delete all my photos and leave, sure!

But I hope... Who knows?

------------------------------------------------------

What the heck is going on?

Im Confused.

I guess Ill just wait for the official word/announcement

from the moderator.

I'm confused as to why you're confused.

[doranakandawatta]

These are ideas I am jotting down. I don't have the time to go into details, but some of the issues that are involved in the above ideas may be addressed at some point in the future.

One big problem is that all donations here or on the IPS site go to the same place. There is no way to make sure PT gets credit for anything at this point. I really want to find a solution to that oversight. I may open another Fund Raiser for the month of January - just for those who want to donate and get a new badge - but nothing else like T-shirts, books, etc. It would then be easy to show how much larger the donations were for the month, and the BOD could get some idea of the financial support PT can provide.

Dean,

I am already candidate for being a 2014 PT supporter, and I hope the donation I'll make will be identified as a donation for Palmtalk.

Many thanks,

Philippe

[LilikoiLee]

It's not such an old thread Axel started last month, but it tells very well how we thank Palmtalk for the way it is!

We also should think about the young generation, just joining IPS BECAUSE OF PALMTALK!

And for them, enthusiasm and experience with palms is just starting to "germinate":

Who in the BOD was 16 years old and reading Genera Palmarum? I know one Palmtalk kid who does!

How many of us, members, are reading that book?

Like palms, we have to care about the next generations who'll build our canopy for the next years!

Does IPS want to look like a cemetery?

Kindest regards

Budu Saranai

Philippe

Well said, Phillipe. You touched on something that I believe, as palm lovers, we should all be concerned about.....how to insure that our passion for palms becomes a passion for their preservation that is passed on from generation to generation.

Budu Saranai

Lee