A case study in North Park, San Diego

[avanza]

Nice home, beautiful garden.

keep up the good work. :-D

[Sabal Steve]

Nice home, beautiful garden.

keep up the good work. :-D

Thanks! Keeps me real busy!

[Sabal Steve]

Nice home, beautiful garden.

keep up the good work. :-D

Looking great Steve. You're gonna live in a jungle in a few years. How is that big sabal of yours? Did it finally start to grow?

This is how I marked the spear, and the hastula that I believe has moved upward.

[Sabal Steve]

Winter yellowing? The fans are a deeper green.


2014-05-07 16.12.50.jpg
2014-05-07 16.13.34.jpg

[Sabal Steve]

Nephrolepis exaltata

Aloe sp. and Dracaena marginata

[Sabal Steve]

Aoenium arboretum

Strelitzia reginae

Edited May 8, 2014 by Sabal Steve

[Sabal Steve]

Aloe distans

Aloe congolensis

Arenga engleri

Planted as a 5 gallon in December 2013. Heavier watering. West wall, South side of house. Seems to like a little shade. New frond is green, with silver on the back and may acclimate at this point.

Sabal sp.

Planted as a medium 30" box in December 2013. Native clay, wood chips, sand, and gypsum. Heavier watering since it has been in the ground.

Hedescepe canterburyana (Right)

Planted as a 5 gallon in Jan 2014. Soil amended with compost and mulch on top. Periodic gypsum added. Older fronds burnt from transport. Burned never frond due to 5/3/2014 - 5/5/2015 heat wave. Palm has good shade from large Sabal sp. New spear emerging. Average watering.

Rhopalostylis bauerii var. "cheesemani". (Left)

Planted as a 5 gallon in Feb 2014. Bought from Joe in exceptional condition. Soil amended with compost and mulch on top. Periodic gypsum added. Older fronds burnt from transport. Older, lower frond burned never frond due to 5/3/2014 - 5/5/2015 heat wave. Palm has good shade from large Sabal sp. New spear emerging. Average watering.

[Sabal Steve]

Gasteria x Aloe "Green Ice" (Right)

Bromeliad imperialis (Left, covered by Hedescepe)

I bought the bedazzeled Tortoise sp. for $40 down in Rosarito. Probably weighs 100 lbs.

[Sabal Steve]

And here's the last few. These ones I planted in front of a neighbors place. I don't water any of these personally, but I recommended watering several times a week to the owner. Clay/rock soil.

Livistona chinensis. Picked up from Joe as a 15gal. Shade grown. It's been acclimating to more sun, is throwing spears. Planted Dec 2013. Given a light fertilization on Feb 2014. I amended the soil with HD cactus soil.

Pritchardia hillebrandii "Dwarf Blue". From Bill at Multiflora. Bought as a 5 gallon, and planted March 2014. Amended with compost. Mulch and Gypsum on top.

Caryota gigas. Given to me from OB Burt. Planted as a 5 gallon in Feb 2014. Given a light fertilization in Feb 2014. I amended the soil with HD cactus soil.

[Sabal Steve]

And here's the last few. These ones I planted in front of a neighbors place. I don't water any of these personally, but I recommended watering several times a week to the owner. Clay/rock soil.

Livistona chinensis. Picked up from Joe as a 15gal. Shade grown. It's been acclimating to more sun, is throwing spears. Planted Dec 2013. Given a light fertilization on Feb 2014. I amended the soil with HD cactus soil.

Pritchardia hillebrandii "Dwarf Blue". From Bill at Multiflora. Bought as a 5 gallon, and planted March 2014. Amended with compost. Mulch and Gypsum on top.

Caryota gigas. Given to me from OB Burt. Planted as a 5 gallon in Feb 2014. Given a light fertilization in Feb 2014. I amended the soil with HD cactus soil.

Here's the Pritchardia

[Moose]

Steve - you may have some problems in about 5 years when those plants start to attain some size. I suspect this problem is what you desire.

[Sabal Steve]

Steve - you may have some problems in about 5 years when those plants start to attain some size. I suspect this problem is what you desire.

Tis' what I desire;) The big fans and the Phoenix will get trimmed as needed. The only one that worries me is the beccariophoenix, but it should grow so slow that I think everything in that area will outpace it (kings and chambys). I'm excited to see what growth comes this year now that everything is in the ground. My goal is to give some good hard data to growers in the area. Trying to be as scientific as I can be:P

[Tassie_Troy1971]

G'Day Steve

Big Improvement out the front .

The Bizzy out back has certainly put on some good growth in a few short years .

I was surprised to see the Rhopie cheesemanii and Hedyscepe planted so close to the Sabal this is going to be very interesting as Rhopalostylis have huge root systems as do Sabals !

The rocks and pebbles look very effective throughout the yard

cheers Troy

[Sabal Steve]

G'Day Steve

Big Improvement out the front .

The Bizzy out back has certainly put on some good growth in a few short years .

I was surprised to see the Rhopie cheesemanii and Hedyscepe planted so close to the Sabal this is going to be very interesting as Rhopalostylis have huge root systems as do Sabals !

The rocks and pebbles look very effective throughout the yard

cheers Troy

Thanks Troy!

Yes, the front sure was pretty bland when I moved in. You wouldn't believe how much concrete I had to tear out, and the interesting ways I found to dispose of it;)

I didn't realize that the cheesemanii had a large root system... Nice thing is that there are no other plants within at least 10 feet of that palm cluster. Mostly just rock and clay, which I have been amending with gypsum and mulch. I figure (I hope...) that they will curve away from the Sabal as they get older. If the Sabal does in fact start growing, it will need to stay tightly trimmed for many years to come.

[Miccles]

Hi Steve - your enthusiasm and hard work are evident for everyone to see. You're making that a really special spot for yourself there, and you should be proud of it. Let us know how it grows for you this Summer.

Regards

Michael

[Sabal Steve]

Hi Steve - your enthusiasm and hard work are evident for everyone to see. You're making that a really special spot for yourself there, and you should be proud of it. Let us know how it grows for you this Summer.

Regards

Michael

Thank you for the kind words Michael:) Now that I've got all of the landscaping done, I can focus more on the nutritional aspects. Maybe some pics at the end of the growing season.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Rhopies can be planted quite tightly together. I have proof it works. Darold tought me the art of such planting, it's the Bay Area's version of Velez planting.

[Sabal Steve]

This is the Howea that my dog massacred. Next to it are a few potted palms - Copernicia baileyana, Copernicia alba, Coccothrinax miraguama.

2014-05-05 16.48.22.jpg

There's been a lot of talk about Copernicias lately. Slow but steady in my neighborhood - C. baileyana and C. alba.

Very responsive to daily watering. I'm guessing that they will each put out a few leaves this Summer. C. alba seems a little faster at this stage. As we speak, the sun acclimated leaves are emerging. These both get lots of sun. These both came from Joe in San Marcos. These get a bum rap in So. Cal, but seem to do well in my climate.

[Sabal Steve]

I recently pulled a few temp. charts for my area. If I'm interpreting this correctly, I haven't got a temp below 35F for the last 10 years. A 10b climate.

I also have a lot of shelter, and the humidity is slowly growing. I have decent pockets of shade. Anyone have thoughts for a really marginal palm? I'd like to try something really exotic, like a Calumus or a Salacca if that would be possible. Just one though.

1 year

10 years

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

That looks like Lindberg Field, not North Park. You will be warmer in the Summer and the Winter, but your lows in the Winter are going to be lower than the airport. I am sending you some really marginal palms in the mail.

[Sabal Steve]

Sabal blackburniana

Planted as a large 5 gallon from Multiflora enterprises.

Clay/Rock soil.

Full Southern exposure.

Planted 6/1/2014.

[Sabal Steve]

That looks like Lindberg Field, not North Park. You will be warmer in the Summer and the Winter, but your lows in the Winter are going to be lower than the airport. I am sending you some really marginal palms in the mail.

Not sure, that's what generated with my 92104 zip, for which I'm on the far East boundry.

[KennyRE317]

try a Carpoxylon macrospermum

[Sabal Steve]

Sabal maritima

Planted as a 5 gallon

Planted 8/10/2014

Clay/Rock soil

Full Southern exposure - barring parked cars.

[Sabal Steve]

Brahea clara

Planted as a 5 gallon from Mark in Oceanside

Planted 8/10/2014

Clay/Rock soil

Full southern exposure

[NApalm]

I dont know how i missed this earlier. Great work. You've really changed the whole look of your place. I like the Bismarkia in the middle of the courtyard. That's going to be fantastic in a few years

[Sabal Steve]

I dont know how i missed this earlier. Great work. You've really changed the whole look of your place. I like the Bismarkia in the middle of the courtyard. That's going to be fantastic in a few years

Thanks NApalm! I agree, a few more years for thinge to really fill out. The bigger bizzie in the courtyard is over my head, but I think that the smaller one in front will outpace it in the next two years or so.

[SailorBold]

looks great... SD is amazing and you are doing an awesome job. Have you thought about pot culture on your back porch? That will increase your planting area and also since its facing south...it should be easier to control moisture and slightly alter culture requirements. My yard is larger than yours but I cant get mine that beautiful. The drawback of pronounced winter cold... more work and less choice.

Do you have any other tropical plants you are planning on adding?

[Sabal Steve]

looks great... SD is amazing and you are doing an awesome job. Have you thought about pot culture on your back porch? That will increase your planting area and also since its facing south...it should be easier to control moisture and slightly alter culture requirements. My yard is larger than yours but I cant get mine that beautiful. The drawback of pronounced winter cold... more work and less choice.

Do you have any other tropical plants you are planning on adding?

I have 6 huge pots that I have, or will, plant palms in. I'm having issues with finding space for them as it is unfortunately. I have a few small 5 gallon sized pots that I will put some of my seedlings in until they get bigger. Some of the Cocothrinax that I have grown probably. I only have about 1,200 sq ft of plantable space on my property, much of which is covered with my deck, as well as concrete. Right now, I'm trying to get my neighbors to plant things. We'll see how it goes.

Thank you for the compliment.

[Sabal Steve]

try a Carpoxylon macrospermum

I don't know all that much about that one, other that It would need a diligent neighbor. One of my neighbors probably has killed a Sabal palm that I planted. A Sabal palm...

Edited August 15, 2014 by Sabal Steve

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

looks great... SD is amazing and you are doing an awesome job. Have you thought about pot culture on your back porch? That will increase your planting area and also since its facing south...it should be easier to control moisture and slightly alter culture requirements. My yard is larger than yours but I cant get mine that beautiful. The drawback of pronounced winter cold... more work and less choice.

Do you have any other tropical plants you are planning on adding?

I have 6 huge pots that I have, or will, plant palms in. I'm having issues with finding space for them as it is unfortunately. I have a few small 5 gallon sized pots that I will put some of my seedlings in until they get bigger. Some of the Cocothrinax that I have grown probably. I only have about 1,200 sq ft of plantable space on my property, much of which is covered with my deck, as well as concrete. Right now, I'm trying to get my neighbors to plant things. We'll see how it goes.

Thank you for the compliment.

You know, there always is a think called a jack hammer, comes in handy for real dedicated palm enthusiasts who care to make more room to grow things.

[Sabal Steve]

looks great... SD is amazing and you are doing an awesome job. Have you thought about pot culture on your back porch? That will increase your planting area and also since its facing south...it should be easier to control moisture and slightly alter culture requirements. My yard is larger than yours but I cant get mine that beautiful. The drawback of pronounced winter cold... more work and less choice.

Do you have any other tropical plants you are planning on adding?

I have 6 huge pots that I have, or will, plant palms in. I'm having issues with finding space for them as it is unfortunately. I have a few small 5 gallon sized pots that I will put some of my seedlings in until they get bigger. Some of the Cocothrinax that I have grown probably. I only have about 1,200 sq ft of plantable space on my property, much of which is covered with my deck, as well as concrete. Right now, I'm trying to get my neighbors to plant things. We'll see how it goes.

Thank you for the compliment.

You know, there always is a think called a jack hammer, comes in handy for real dedicated palm enthusiasts who care to make more room to grow things.

Here's a portion of what I jack hammered in the back. The only other portion that I could probably plant would be the driveway, or my 5 foot wide alley that the city decided was a driveway:) You can see my Kentia in the corner - pre dog attack.

Edited August 16, 2014 by Sabal Steve

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

looks great... SD is amazing and you are doing an awesome job. Have you thought about pot culture on your back porch? That will increase your planting area and also since its facing south...it should be easier to control moisture and slightly alter culture requirements. My yard is larger than yours but I cant get mine that beautiful. The drawback of pronounced winter cold... more work and less choice.

Do you have any other tropical plants you are planning on adding?

I have 6 huge pots that I have, or will, plant palms in. I'm having issues with finding space for them as it is unfortunately. I have a few small 5 gallon sized pots that I will put some of my seedlings in until they get bigger. Some of the Cocothrinax that I have grown probably. I only have about 1,200 sq ft of plantable space on my property, much of which is covered with my deck, as well as concrete. Right now, I'm trying to get my neighbors to plant things. We'll see how it goes.

Thank you for the compliment.

You know, there always is a think called a jack hammer, comes in handy for real dedicated palm enthusiasts who care to make more room to grow things.

Here's a portion of what I jack hammered in the back. The only other portion that I could probably plant would be the driveway, or my 5 foot wide alley that the city decided was a driveway:) You can see my Kentia in the corner - pre dog attack.

2013-11-13 12.32.55.jpg

Sounds like you've already covered the hardscape in the garden. Well, there's always the house...

[Sabal Steve]

Planted out my little Jubeaopsis caffa today. The palm behind it is a Brahea "Super Silver."

North side of house.

Mound planted with sandy soil. Soil beneath is Clay/Rock.

Mulched.

Large 1 gallon from George Sparkman.

[Danilopez89]

Ahhh, I love planting season. Whats next Steve?

[Sabal Steve]

Ahhh, I love planting season. Whats next Steve?

I was lucky to sneak that one in! Actually, It's in the neighbors yard.

I have a few shade craving feather palms. More on those in later posts.

[Josh-O]

I can smell the freshly dug soil from here

[Danilopez89]

Man, I wish I could plant some palm trees in my neighbors backyard. It's huge! Like 3 times bigger than mine. I would plant a bunch of giants. And he has a a couple of great big shade trees were I could plant some other cool stuff. Im dreaming now...

[Phoenikakias]

Regarding the Jubaeopsis, how far in depth does sandy soil reach? Was it substantially root bound?

[Sabal Steve]

Regarding the Jubaeopsis, how far in depth does sandy soil reach? Was it substantially root bound?

I used a frankenstien mix of soils with properties that allowed for decent drainage. I dug down arould 6" and created a mound that was 3" tall or so - so roughly 9" of sandy type soil. Strangely, it was not rootbound, and had just enough roots to form the soil to a small rootball.