My grandmother was a great gardener with a particular intrest in pot culture(not the stuff that gives a buzz and feelings of extreme hunger!). Sadly a few weeks ago she passed at the grand old age of 94. She enjoyed growing palms and always had a few about. When I was a teenager she bought a Dypsis decaryi and it grew well. I had always admired it and she said I could have that palm but not until she departs this earth. Today I was able to take it home. Now I have the problem of where to position the plant. Here are a few pics of the palm loaded into the trailer.

My condolancies! A sad thing happened, but her memory will live on in a palm tree...how beautifull is that!

I'm sure you will find an honorable spot for the palm!

Got to say that I love that house !!! Now as for the palm....at least half day of full sun and very good drainage. They can take a freeze and prolonged drought once established. Good luck with it.

Peachy

You have my condolences, but that is a great way to keep her memory. Best of luck!

If it is still in the trailer, take it to the dump...RIP...

Yeah - make sure you take care of that plant! No pressure!

My condolences.

Does look like a plant that could do with going in the ground, though.

If it is still in the trailer, take it to the dump...RIP...

Um........ is this suggestion due to how common Dypsis decaryi is? Gary Please explain.

Seems Gary can't be bothered going into further discussion. I can think of a few reasons to dump the palm. 1)Being transported by trailer with little protection could shred the leaves.2)It has started to form a trunk and might not grow a very robust trunk compared to otheres that were planted out much younger. 3) Dypsis decaryi are commonly found in the big box stores so I should put energy towards other species.

I'm ignoring Gary's suggestion and once the rain stopped today promptly planted it.

Location selected

Compost gypsum dug in and a few succulent ground covers to help suck up the winter rain.

Borzoi approval

Phillip, I wouldn't worry about Gary's comment. Good on you for planting, hope it does great.

Tim

Some people don't understand that sentimental value is worth more than tangible value (Gary). I can't wait to see it in a few years pip. Awesome story and hats off to your grandma.

Good growing!

Looks good in the ground, Phillip, and I bet it will prosper. Your grandmother would be proud. Such a nice tribute in her memory.

Awesome story! I love that kinda stuff. Every time you look at that palm it will remind you of her.

Edit: I have a few orchids from my wife's nanas garden and most of my tools/hose are from my grandfathers. Great for keeping the memory alive

Edited August 2, 201510 yr by NApalm

What a great tribute to your Grandmother, I hope it does well for you ............. These are not one of my favourite palms either but that is only my opinion on them and not important......... a great palm for cooler climates and a worthy addition to your expanding collection

Edited August 2, 201510 yr by Tropicgardener

Sentimental Value above all things.

My condolences.

Sad to hear of your grandmother's passing, but so cool you have a living memory of her. That indeed makes it very special rare and unique Palm. One which is irreplaceable.

Sad to hear of your grandmother but it's nice to know you shared a passion.

Keep the palm a bit on the dry side, with excellent drainage and let us know how it grows.

Sad to hear of your grandmother's passing, but so cool you have a living memory of her. That indeed makes it very special rare and unique Palm. One which is irreplaceable.

Well said Keith and to the others as well,

Gary.....pretty cold.

My condolences, sad to hear her passing. In my opinion what you are doing is something very sentimental and worth more than any palm you could get. She would be proud, I hope it will grow well for you:)

Thanks for your kind words everyone. I'm actually really pleased with the position I planted this palm as it can easily be seen from the second floor living space of my house. I'm looking forward to how this garden will change as time goes by.

Cool, the palm will be a great memory of your grandmother.

What a great thing. I wish I had had a house before my grandmother died so I could have grabbed some of her plants. Hopefully some of the plants I am growing become heirlooms.

Grandma would be proud and what a great way to remember her by they are great palms. A friend of mine planted one with a D. lepto and a Tri Bear in the middle Kind of cool to see the parent plants with the hybrid in the middle. I hope it grows well for you

Hey Pip, what a happy palm you have! If your grandmother could see it now, surely she would be smiling to see her dear palm in your garden. Your climate should be just right for this palm, and I wish you many years of growing satisfaction. Your triangle will only become more beautiful with time.

Well done Pip. In some parts of Oz these are common, but that doesn't matter when the specimen is special. When you really think about it this species is extraordinary, and was all the rage as the next big thing in the 90's.

These palms love heat. Perfect plant for a rockery in a north facing aspect in the southern hemisphere. They do best in free draining soil, but they tolerate less. In summer, when the temps are up they can be sped up with enough water and fertiliser. I have a small one here that the previous owner planted in clay, but on a raised mound. Not ideal, but I started watering it in summer and giving it some care and that things just sprung into life. It was holding about 3 spears closed until I started helping it along.