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My first trip to Raintree Tropical Nursery in Silverton Oregon

mraroid

By mraroid
in COLD HARDY PALMS

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mraroid Apprentice

mraroid

Posted
Posted
Hello folks...
 
I live in Salem Oregon, USDA Zone 8b.
 
I made my first trip to Raintree tropical nursery this morning.  I took some cash and my checkbook.  I was not sure what I wanted, but I hoped that I could buy some larger palms, rather than some in one gallon pots.  I am 73 years old, so I don't have thirty or forty years to plant a smaller palm and watch it grow.
 
I met Steve and what a nice person he is.  I ended up with a 5 gallon Trachycarpus wagnerianus, and a five gallon Sabal minor.  I told Steve I would be back when I had more money.  I wanted to buy a larger Jubaea chilensis & maybe a Butia odorata/capitata.  But the size of palms that I wanted were a bit more than I had to spend.  I hope to go back to see him.  He is very knowledgeable, and a polite person. 
 
I bought two T. fortunei about three years ago from a palm nursery someplace between Salem and Portland.  I was not impressed with the owner who sold them to me.  Maybe he was just having a bad day.  Both T. fortunei are doing well, and one looks to be a female.  This is the first year either has developed any sexual signs.  The other one appears to not be as robust as the female, and it may not develop this year.  Both looked about the same when I bought them. 
 
I should have picked up a needle palm from Steve today, but I will when I go back with more palm money.  I forgot to ask if he delivers.  Does anyone know?  I only have a small Honda.  I guess I could rent a pickup from UHaul.
 
All in all, it was a great experience.  I will for sure give Steve my business in the future.
 
mraroid
 
 
  • Like 9
BeyondTheGarden Veteran

BeyondTheGarden

Posted
Posted

I heard they are thinking about shutting down their business, I hope that is not true.  That place is pretty amazing although they need more staff, more caretakers.  A lot of their stuff has been in the same pots for far too long.  But their inventory is amazing, especially considering their location.   

Did you go in the greenhouse? 

  • Like 2
mraroid Apprentice

mraroid

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi Jesse....  Well, that would be sad if they closed.  Steve seems to know a great deal about palms and other plants.  I did go into all the greenhouses.  I saw some tree ferns I sure wish I could grow outside.  Yes, they do need more staff.  Several people showed up at 10 AM, and we all had to wait until Steve was able to get to each of us.  He did take what ever time people needed to select plants and answer questions...

Maybe if they close, he will have a closing out sale...  But I hope he stays open for a few more years...

mraroid

 

 

  • Like 2
Chester B Grand Master

Chester B

Posted
Posted

I know it was up in the air if they would stay open, but they aren't going to close down now.  The owner is in the process of hiring more staff to help around the place.  The plan is to get a full time person to be there 5 days, with Steve still working a couple.  Also some support staff to keep up with maintenance, etc.

  • Like 1
mraroid Apprentice

mraroid

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Good to know Chester...  Thank you for your post.

mraroid

  • Like 1
  • 10 months later...
mraroid Apprentice

mraroid

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hello....

Almost a year has past since my original post.  I visited them and came away with some palms last year.

Anyone know if Raintree Tropical Nursery is still open?  Does the same person still own it?

I am ready for another trip.

Thanks

mraroid in Salem Oregon

 

 

Chester B Grand Master

Chester B

Posted
Posted
21 minutes ago, mraroid said:

Hello....

Almost a year has past since my original post.  I visited them and came away with some palms last year.

Anyone know if Raintree Tropical Nursery is still open?  Does the same person still own it?

I am ready for another trip.

Thanks

mraroid in Salem Oregon

 

 

Still open.  Same owner as he lives on the property at the top of the hill.  Check the hours on their website before you go.

mraroid Apprentice

mraroid

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just now, Chester B said:

Still open.  Same owner as he lives on the property at the top of the hill.  Check the hours on their website before you go.

Thanks so much.  I will do that.

mraroid

  • 2 months later...
97008tropics Rookie

97008tropics

Posted
Posted

Still open and hope it stays that way as I like to visit every once in a while. I was there today and bought a 5 gallon wagnerians. Always tempted to get a big mule palm or something really neat. The waggy I got is actually my first windmill palm - I always liked the feather palms or less common plants.

  • Like 1
SeanK Grand Master

SeanK

Posted
Posted
On 5/6/2023 at 4:55 PM, mraroid said:
Hello folks...
 
I live in Salem Oregon, USDA Zone 8b.
 
I made my first trip to Raintree tropical nursery this morning.  I took some cash and my checkbook.  I was not sure what I wanted, but I hoped that I could buy some larger palms, rather than some in one gallon pots.  I am 73 years old, so I don't have thirty or forty years to plant a smaller palm and watch it grow.
 
I met Steve and what a nice person he is.  I ended up with a 5 gallon Trachycarpus wagnerianus, and a five gallon Sabal minor.  I told Steve I would be back when I had more money.  I wanted to buy a larger Jubaea chilensis & maybe a Butia odorata/capitata.  But the size of palms that I wanted were a bit more than I had to spend.  I hope to go back to see him.  He is very knowledgeable, and a polite person. 
 
I bought two T. fortunei about three years ago from a palm nursery someplace between Salem and Portland.  I was not impressed with the owner who sold them to me.  Maybe he was just having a bad day.  Both T. fortunei are doing well, and one looks to be a female.  This is the first year either has developed any sexual signs.  The other one appears to not be as robust as the female, and it may not develop this year.  Both looked about the same when I bought them. 
 
I should have picked up a needle palm from Steve today, but I will when I go back with more palm money.  I forgot to ask if he delivers.  Does anyone know?  I only have a small Honda.  I guess I could rent a pickup from UHaul.
 
All in all, it was a great experience.  I will for sure give Steve my business in the future.
 
mraroid
 
 

IMHO, you should stick to palms that grow fairly quickly. Chamaerhops, Trachycarpus. A larger W.filifera (planted high like a succulent). Maybe some of the Chamedoreas. Layout a nice design with broad-leaf evergreens and walkways.

Plan something you can finish in the next 18 months.

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