I took some new photos today at the beach property in Manuel Antonio. When I got back home I found this old pic of the 3 Dypsis leptocheilos (on the left of the path) and 1 Metroxylon warburgii (on the right side of the path) taken in Nov 2008 shortly after they were planted.

Here are the same three D. leptocheilos 5 years later. We got rid of the stepping stones and built a sidewalk.

A couple years later I added 2 more for a total of 5

And here is the Metroxylon today, newly trimmed up by the gardeners

I especially love those gorgeous Dypsis! They are perfectly spaced to show off each palm.

I'll bet many of us wish we had planted those 5 years ago. The next best choice is to plant some this year!

Hey Jeff,

They look great. I just wished we could grow the metroxylons outside without fear of loosing them due to occasional colds.

Nice Metroxylon Jeff. Are you still in Manuel Antonio or back in San Jose? I have a few goodies for you. Talk soon.

Thanks Cindy. When they were small I didn't know how far apart to plant them so I made a guess.

Jeff, someone is growing Metroxylon in South Florida. I saw a recent photo of a big one although I can't remember who posted it. I didn't know they were so cold sensitive.

Jason, It was a quick trip. I was only there for one night and I'm back in San Jose now. What goodies do you have for me??? I always get the coolest palms from you.

Mine are as nice as yours, but closer together.

GREAT Metroxylon! Screamed obscenities into the elevator shaft . . .

Beautiful pics and nice growth on these interesting species

Thank you for showing these pics, it gives me hope for our palms in Doranakanda we planted very small, and rabbits liked Dypsis leptocheilos!

I just have Metroxylum vitiense seedlings, look forward to seeing it as beautiful as your.

Jeff, those teddy's look great. I have seeds in Ecuador and I'm hoping that they grow well there. I hear that they like full blazing sun and that will be a problem in the cloud forest. I'm hoping being at 0*latitude helps offset that.

Amazing growth Jeff, ohhhhh, wish Metroxylons could grow here, oh well, can't have em all eh. Pete

Beautiful palms. The Florida Metroxylon you saw a pic of was probably waykoolplantz pair of M. vitiense, which is the only Metroxylon species I'm aware of that can successfully be grown outdoors around here.

Wow! Love that shot of the 5 Dypsis all lined up along the sidewalk. That is waaaaaaayyyyy cool.

Thanks everyone.

Jake, I planted a total of 10 D. leptocheilos on the property in different light conditions and I would agree they like full sun the best. The 5 shown in the photos are in full sun most of the day, have thicker trunks and look the best by far. Another one was planted next to the rental house where it got at least a half day of shade. It grew a lot faster than the ones in full sun, but it has a much thinner trunk. Another was overtaken by a nearby clump of Etlingera elatior which completely consumed it last time I saw it. I didn't check on that one this trip so I'm not sure if it's still alive. The last 3 are planted under tree canopy in a forested area and are growing the slowest.

Rory, You're correct, It was waykoolplantz. Thanks for reminding me.

Jeff Searle had a monster Metroxylon (can't remember the species) that I marveled at located SE of his pool. I checked out this palm for years every time visited. Amazed as to how many cold events it had endured over the years. The microclime in Jeff's back yard seemed to provide it enough protection. The cold fronts that it experienced never lasted more than two or three days. The winter of 2010 did it in. Multiple days in the 40's was just too much for it ...

Mike Harris' property (Waykoolplantz) is west of Jeff's about 8 miles. His property is usually 3-4 degrees F warmer than Jeff's during our cold fronts. Mike's palms actually made it to the seeding stage. The warming effect from his large "pond" was the key to their survival IMO. If they had been located to the west side of his property, it may have been I different story.

Mr. Anderson - as always I look forward to your posts. Please keep them coming. Have you introduced any crotons at the Manuel Antonio property?

Ron

Jeff, your palms look great! You are such an inspiration to me, living on the beach and having a tremendous garden, even though I think my conditons are much harsher than those of Costa Rica. Keep up the good work and please post more before and after shots.

Peter

Cyphophoenix Alba and Pinanga Insignis. Ben has some cool stuff as well that he has grown in quantity from RPS. I'm coming to San Jose on Saturday. We should go to Marcos' as I have a few things for him as well.

Cyphophoenix Alba and Pinanga Insignis. Ben has some cool stuff as well that he has grown in quantity from RPS. I'm coming to San Jose on Saturday. We should go to Marcos' as I have a few things for him as well.

I've been wanting both of them!

Or instead of Marco's, maybe we can all meet at Dewayne's? I've been wanting to see his other property where he's got more palms planted.

Jeff Searle had a monster Metroxylon (can't remember the species) that I marveled at located SE of his pool. I checked out this palm for years every time visited. Amazed as to how many cold events it had endured over the years. The microclime in Jeff's back yard seemed to provide it enough protection. The cold fronts that it experienced never lasted more than two or three days. The winter of 2010 did it in. Multiple days in the 40's was just too much for it ...

Mike Harris' property (Waykoolplantz) is west of Jeff's about 8 miles. His property is usually 3-4 degrees F warmer than Jeff's during our cold fronts. Mike's palms actually made it to the seeding stage. The warming effect from his large "pond" was the key to their survival IMO. If they had been located to the west side of his property, it may have been I different story.

Mr. Anderson - as always I look forward to your posts. Please keep them coming. Have you introduced any crotons at the Manuel Antonio property?

Ron

Thanks Ron.

I bought a lot of different Crotons over the years and planted them on that property. Before that, the gardeners never introduced any new ones. Once a year they would trim the existing Crotons and then stick the cuttings in the ground to create more plants.

Wow! Great before and after shots!

Jeff, DUDE...I'm going to SJ manana. I sent you a personal message. Should I bring your goodies? Is Dewayne going to be up for a visit? 8878-9859...Jason

Jeff, DUDE...I'm going to SJ manana. I sent you a personal message. Should I bring your goodies? Is Dewayne going to be up for a visit? 8878-9859...Jason

I sent you a PM. Stop by if you can.