mraroid Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 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 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeyondTheGarden Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 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? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mraroid Posted May 7 Author Report Share Posted May 7 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 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester B Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mraroid Posted May 8 Author Report Share Posted May 8 Good to know Chester... Thank you for your post. mraroid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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