What makes a good palm presentation?

[Manalto]

I'm growing about 150 Chamaedorea microspadix seedlings in Solo cups, some of which I am donating to the Mobile Botanical Garden. They're glad to have them because they feel their collection is wanting in the palm department. They  asked me to give a talk on palms, presumably because I pronounced Chamaedorea microspadix with a fair amount of confidence (unsure as to whether it's correct). I told them I'd feel like a fraud giving a talk on something I know so little about, but I lined up an excellent local landscaper to speak whose focus is palms. We're going to give the talk together. (I'll play the role of Carol Merrill, sweeping my hand gracefully in front of the palm being discussed, I suppose.)  Since we're in zone 8B (9A along the shore), it's a manageable topic for a one-hour talk. We'll have some of the smaller (or young specimens of) palms on hand so our audience can see them up close.  We'll also have some palms for sale (a portion of the proceeds benefits the Garden) and a couple of door prizes. The talk, subject to change, will be about the following:

A case for palms - why use them in your landscape

Palms hardy in our 8B climate (and those that will thrive on the shore)

Cycads for 8B/9A

Installation and care (watering and fertilization)

Pruning

Winter protection

That's all I have so far. While our audience are avid gardeners, most of them are probably unfamiliar with most palms they can grow here, so the talk does not need to be scholarly.

Here's my question:

Aside from what I've already mentioned, what else would you include (or like to see included) in a talk on palms for the Gulf Coast? 

I'd appreciate any suggestions for topics, focus, or palm species you may have, or additional elements of the presentation. As I said, I'm relatively new to growing palms myself (about 6 years) so your thoughts are valuable to me.

Edited April 27, 2023 by Manalto

[Allen]

Planting palms (Site selection)

Potted palms and care

Integration into a landscape design

 

[Chester B]

You could also do some talk on propogation/seed germination

Growth rates of the most commonly used ones.

[Manalto]

A hand-out with a summary of the talk, especially a list of the palms discussed, might be good. 

[Silas_Sancona]

Very cool and congrats on the opportunity..

Everything listed is the perfect " list " of topics to cover during your talk.. If you have to ( Has helped me tremendously in the past during similar talks ) keep a cue card.. Maybe not the right term.. of all the major things you want to cover, so nothing is forgotten.

You can also direct anyone w/ additional ..perhaps more in -depth questions / thoughts to e mail you or the person you'll be giving the talk with later..

As far as feeling a little less knowledgeable regarding Palms, i think you'll be fine.. Seem to know more than enough to me..  If it helps you, don't be afraid of acknowledging the areas where you aren't as strong -knowledge-wise as others.. but that you are learning, just like they are..  No one is perfect in their knowledge, and we're all learning new stuff as we go along..

Not even close to a big fan of Roses, but used to give talks on cultivating them both where i used to work, and at a couple other places.

Great that you'll have someone else there, but they offered the opportunity to you.. Show them that they want to invite you back for more talks as this one ends..

Hopefully everything goes great and you won't have the "wonderful" experience of loosing your voice during your talk.. Not fun at all, but, it happens.. lol

Let us know how it goes..

[Chester B]

A power point presentation would be really good.  It will help to keep you on track and you could always have it emailed after the fact to those that want copies.

[Fusca]

4 hours ago, Manalto said:

They  asked me to give a talk on palms, presumably because I pronounced Chamaedorea microspadix with a fair amount of confidence (unsure as to whether it's correct).

😄  Just the fact that you spelled it correctly is an accomplishment!  I think we all mispronounce the scientific names regardless of how much experience we have growing palms.  I'd say that even if you had only six months of experience growing palms you'd likely be more knowledgeable about palms than 90-95% of your audience.  As others have said it sounds like you've got a good plan and I'm sure you'll be great.

[kinzyjr]

@Manalto Good topics all the way around.  I'd include which ones are native to:

• the state
• the region
• the country as a whole

People like knowing that palms are actually native in their habitat.  Since you're in Alabama, your state holds the distinction of having the hardiest variety of Sabal minor growing near Weiss Lake in Cherokee county.  That also makes it the coldest native palm habitat in the world, currently.  That tidbit might interest them as well.

[Manalto]

4 hours ago, Chester B said:

A power point presentation would be really good.

I like this idea a lot and have a month (the talk is scheduled for June 2) to prepare. Currently, it's slated for the large terrace outside the gift shop. The attendees may appreciate a PowerPoint in air-conditioned comfort indoors instead (there's plenty of room) with the plants set up on the terrace for viewing before and after the talk. I'm going to look into it.

Thank you all for your kind words of advice and support. I used to be pathologically nervous and self-conscious about speaking in front of a group, but no more; I enjoy it now.  As Nathan suggested, there's no shame in having gaps in your knowledge.  As long as we can put together some useful information, it should be successful. And besides, who doesn't love palms? Crazy people, that's who.

Edited April 27, 2023 by Manalto

[Silas_Sancona]

15 minutes ago, Manalto said:

I like this idea a lot and have a month (the talk is scheduled for June 2) to prepare. Currently, it's slated for the large terrace outside the gift shop. The attendees may appreciate a PowerPoint in air-conditioned comfort indoors instead (there's plenty of room) with the plants set up on the terrace for viewing before and after the talk. I'm going to look into it.

Thank you all for your kind words of advice and support. I used to be pathologically nervous and self-conscious about speaking in front of a group, but no more; I enjoy it now.  As Nathan suggested, there's no shame in having gaps in your knowledge.  As long as we can put together some useful information, it should be successful. And besides, who doesn't love palms? Crazy people, that's who.

Agree, Very true that speaking in front of people can be trying, esp. in the age of " Mistakes can go viral in seconds ".. I also have had / still have, to some degree of reservation. That said, i always fall back on the years i spent working at a night spot in KS. as a priceless personal lesson on stepping out into a more public spotlight..  

Want a tough " presenting yourself in public " gig that could make you more ..or less..  apprehensive about being under the glare of -many?  Try being a Dj, in front of 100-300 people, twice weekly, when the person you work with ..who has dj'ed his entire life, and is very well known by thousands, takes a night or two off ..or moves on to the next leg of his journey on the same nights.   ..Or better yet, having someone else i'd worked alongside with unexpectedly toss running lights for a few big name concert events into my lap ..where 400-800+ people packed into the same room easily know where the guy running lights and the sound engineer are located.  Both of those things might sound simple,  ..Not- at- all- 

Fun times, but definitely not for anyone who might get nervous in font of many pairs of glaring eyes & their responses if ..or when.. something hits a snag 😬.. Thankfully, those two people i worked beside were great mentors and had enough confidence that i could handle " taking the reins " when called upon.  More than enough of a self confidence boost, even if i was sweating bullets at times ..which quickly fades away anyway once you've broken the ice so to say.  Anyhow,..


Like i said before, have fun with what you decide to do, and make the presentation a lively experience that anyone from the garden, ..or others connected to other gardens / gardening groups, etc who might attend will remember -quite positively- and be requesting your presence again asap later on. 

 

[Manalto]

11 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

@Manalto 

People like knowing that palms are native in their habitat.  Since you're in Alabama, your state holds the distinction of having the hardiest variety of Sabal minor growing near Weiss Lake in Cherokee county.  That also makes it the coldest native palm habitat in the world, currently.  That tidbit might interest them as well.

It might indeed. Thank you for that. Mobile seems to be a place with a high percentage of people who are from this state, so this may be a point of horticultural pride for them. In any case, it's interesting to me, so I'm including it in my talk.

[fotodimatti]

Here is what my friend Chat has to say:

"Your planned talk on palms for the Gulf Coast sounds fantastic! Here are a few additional suggestions and topics you could consider including:

1. Palm species suitable for different landscape purposes: Discuss various palm species that are ideal for focal points, privacy screens, accent plantings, shade trees, and container gardening. Explain their growth habits, mature sizes, and unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific landscape uses.

2. Selecting the right palm for the right location: Guide the audience on choosing palms that thrive in different microclimates, soil conditions, and light exposures. Emphasize the importance of considering factors like salt tolerance, wind resistance, and moisture requirements when selecting palms for specific locations within their landscape.

3. Native and adapted palms: Highlight the importance of incorporating native and adapted palm species in the Gulf Coast region. Discuss the benefits of using native palms, such as their ability to withstand local climate conditions and provide support for native wildlife.

4. Landscaping with palms: Showcase inspiring design ideas and practical tips for incorporating palms into the overall landscape. Discuss concepts like layering, creating palm groupings, and mixing palms with other plants to achieve aesthetically pleasing and functional landscapes.

5. Palm care and maintenance: Expand on the topics of watering and fertilization to include other aspects of palm care. Discuss best practices for soil preparation, mulching, pest and disease management, and common issues that gardeners may encounter when growing palms.

6. Palm propagation: Touch upon different methods of palm propagation, such as seed germination, division, and offshoots. Provide basic guidelines and tips for successful propagation, as this can be an exciting aspect for gardeners to explore.

7. Palm-related resources: Share information about useful resources, such as books, websites, and local organizations, where gardeners can further their knowledge and find support for growing and caring for palms. You could also provide a list of reputable nurseries or suppliers that specialize in palms.

8. Personal experiences and lessons learned: Share your own journey of growing palms, including challenges you faced and lessons you learned along the way. This personal touch can make the presentation relatable and engaging for the audience.

Remember to intersperse the presentation with visually appealing images of different palm species, including their growth forms, foliage, and mature appearances. This will help the audience connect with the subject matter and visualize the palms in their own landscapes. Good luck with your presentation!"

[Swolte]

What a great opportunity! Just introduce yourself as a palm enthusiast that is growing X different palms instead of a university professor. I sometimes forget how specialist this palm hobby is. More often than not, landscapers actually know very little about plants. Even professional horticulturists lack knowledge on the different types of palms, their care, and growing ranges. Some never even heard of hybrids other than the mule.  Having spent time of this forum for 5+ years, you know more than you think! If the audience is mostly hobby gardeners, show some images of palms (you grow!) for their aesthetic and edible potential (they'd love that), and overall sturdiness (minors are so underrated!!). Have fun and keep us posted how it went (wish I could attend!)!

~ S

[Manalto]

On 4/27/2023 at 11:47 AM, Manalto said:

 They  asked me to give a talk on palms, presumably because I pronounced Chamaedorea microspadix with a fair amount of confidence (unsure as to whether it's correct). 

I pronounced it ka-muh-do-REE-uh. I brought the palms to the Garden and the horticulturist shouted to his coworker, "James brought us some ka-muh-DOOR-ee-uh!" The internet seems to agree with him. Sigh. I thought the rule was the penultimate syllable, usually.

Thank you all for your comments. They are enormously helpful. I've begun putting together a PowerPoint. The Garden has facilities for it. Air conditioning.... ahhh.

 

[Manalto]

The palm presentation was yesterday. I got good feedback from it. One smart move (if I do say so myself) was to recruit the local palm specialist and landscaper as a partner. I organized the PowerPoint, introduced each palm, gave some general information about size and cultural requirements, and my colleague discussed the idiosyncrasies learned from experience and fielded most of the questions. We had some of my Chamaedorea microspadix seedlings (charmingly presented in red Solo cups) as door prizes. The idea of giving away something for nothing is anathema to me as a New Englander, so I made the poor unsuspecting audience play a palm-themed guessing game in order to earn their freebies. There were some good laughs, so it seems to have gone well. We both declined the honorarium, so the director presented us with copies of this Sabal palmetto leaf drawing by a local artist. I like it a lot; it will get matted, framed and hung up in my house.

Thanks again for all your feedback; y'all were really valuable in helping me think this through.

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by Manalto

[BeyondTheGarden]

On 5/1/2023 at 5:30 AM, Manalto said:

I pronounced it ka-muh-do-REE-uh. I brought the palms to the Garden and the horticulturist shouted to his coworker, "James brought us some ka-muh-DOOR-ee-uh!" The internet seems to agree with him. Sigh. I thought the rule was the penultimate syllable, usually.

Thank you all for your comments. They are enormously helpful. I've begun putting together a PowerPoint. The Garden has facilities for it. Air conditioning.... ahhh.

 

I think "-ea" is one syllable.  You could either look at it as, "e-uh" which appears as two, or "yuh" which appears as one.  The two are pronounced identically/ Chamaedoryuh vs Chamaedoreuh".  The difference is infinitesimal.  I'm also a dumb redneck so maybe my perspective is wrong.  After all, I still enunciate, "Phoenix roebeLINee-eye" even though I know it's "wrong".

[Manalto]

5 hours ago, Jesse PNW said:

I think "-ea" is one syllable.  You could either look at it as, "e-uh" which appears as two, or "yuh" which appears as one.  The two are pronounced identically/ Chamaedoryuh vs Chamaedoreuh".  The difference is infinitesimal. 

I frequently feel unsure of those final double vowel sounds, partly because I much more often read botanical names, as opposed to hearing them spoken by an authoritative source, and partly because moving South has made me more aware of pronunciation differences. In the northeast (US), "fire," for example, is clearly two gliding vowel sounds: feye-er, whereas here in Mobile it's usually just one: fahr.

To avoid the disdain of a botanically-savvy audience, I rely on that old, tried-and-true device: mumbling. Swallowing the last syllable, if you play it right, can look like offhand treatment of a word you're so comfortable with that you don't even bother to finish.

PS: Keep pondering the variants of diphthong pronunciation and the authorities will be sure to show up some stormy night to revoke that ignorant redneck card.

Edited June 5, 2023 by Manalto

[Oscar1984]

On 4/27/2023 at 7:47 PM, Manalto said:

I'm growing about 150 Chamaedorea microspadix seedlings in Solo cups, some of which I am donating to the Mobile Botanical Garden. They're glad to have them because they feel their collection is wanting in the palm department. They  asked me to give a talk on palms, presumably because I pronounced Chamaedorea microspadix with a fair amount of confidence (unsure as to whether it's correct). I told them I'd feel like a fraud giving a talk on something I know so little about, but I lined up an excellent local landscaper to speak whose focus is palms. We're going to give the talk together. (I'll play the role of Carol Merrill, sweeping my hand gracefully in front of the palm being discussed, I suppose.)  Since we're in zone 8B (9A along the shore), it's a manageable topic for a one-hour talk. We'll have some of the smaller (or young specimens of) palms on hand so our audience can see them up close.  We'll also have some palms for sale (a portion of the proceeds benefits the Garden) and a couple of door prizes. The talk, subject to change, will be about the following:

A case for palms - why use them in your landscape

Palms hardy in our 8B climate (and those that will thrive on the shore)

Cycads for 8B/9A

Installation and care (watering and fertilization)

Pruning

Winter protection

That's all I have so far. While our audience are avid gardeners, most of them are probably unfamiliar with most palms they can grow here, so the talk does not need to be scholarly.

Here's my question:

Aside from what I've already mentioned, what else would you include (or like to see included) in a talk on palms for the Gulf Coast? 

I'd appreciate any suggestions for topics, focus, or palm species you may have, or additional elements of the presentation. As I said, I'm relatively new to growing palms myself (about 6 years) so your thoughts are valuable to me.

Basically, this is a pretty good list to make a good presentation. However, I would encourage you to add more visuals. This will be more interesting than a regular report. And if you are not confident in your abilities, then you can order such work from powerpoint presentation design company which specialize in creating high-quality work. I have used this service a couple of times and have been pleased with the results.

Edited February 7, 2024 by Oscar1984