happypalms Another day in paradise in the garden

[happypalms]

9 hours ago, peachy said:

They are pretty little things and if I can ever tidy up and reclaim my 'Angel Garden' ,  there is a perfect spot waiting for one.

Peachy

I consider them the princesses of the garden!

Richard

[happypalms]

9 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Good looking palm . Harry

Just magical little palm! 
Richard

[DoomsDave]

On 11/16/2025 at 5:53 PM, DoomsDave said:

I’ve got one too, hairy and multi!

 

 

On 11/16/2025 at 6:17 PM, happypalms said:

Now iam worried, hairy and multi! 🤣

Here it is, hairy and multi sounds like a bunch of yetis… 

(That’s a Rhopie cheesemanii in the background.)

 

 

[happypalms]

16 minutes ago, DoomsDave said:

 

Here it is, hairy and multi sounds like a bunch of yetis… 

(That’s a Rhopie cheesemanii in the background.)

 

 

Nice one, I thought @tim_brissy_13 packed his plants in, I take it you have a suburban backyard as well as Tim. Oh I love having freedom to plant in my garden. Only trouble is the bigger the garden the more work! 

[happypalms]

With more good rain and some moderate warm weather you can see the garden starting to grow. And with the extra irrigation it is certainly helping the palms get that higher than average rainfall,  it definitely makes a difference irrigating after the good rain and even during the rain! 

[Mazat]

6 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

 

Here it is, hairy and multi sounds like a bunch of yetis… 

(That’s a Rhopie cheesemanii in the background.)

 

 

Great specimens, Dave.

[happypalms]

Here’s another small one in the garden I have. 

[happypalms]

On 11/18/2025 at 2:12 PM, Harry’s Palms said:

Looking very nice , especially considering they are in their first year or so. They will continue to get stronger as they become part of the landscape. Harry

Each new leaf they get stronger and bigger! A few more years and a few nice juvenile palms will be growing quite well in the garden if I do say so myself!

Richard 

[Harry’s Palms]

We are enjoying an early rainy season so the garden looks fresh instead of the normally very dry winds we get in Fall that make the garden a bit tattered. You had a wet year leading up to Spring so your garden is enjoying a growth period with the warmer days. Looking very nice . Harry

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

We are enjoying an early rainy season so the garden looks fresh instead of the normally very dry winds we get in Fall that make the garden a bit tattered. You had a wet year leading up to Spring so your garden is enjoying a growth period with the warmer days. Looking very nice . Harry

It’s been a hidden little god send, the amount of plants that has gone into the ground certainly has helped them, much better than into a drought with new plantings.

Richard 

[Cannonball]

More forgiving then my uploading anyway.

[happypalms]

It seems I have another palm that needs some pictures taken of, so here it is a nice syagrus Schizophylla that’s as tough as nails a bit like the Australian spirit that shall never be broken! 

[Harry’s Palms]

I had one for over a year down on the hill . A slow grower that the gophers decided to eat for lunch! Harry

All that was left was the leaves ….and this photo!

[peachy]

Mine grew nearly to one metre overall height in just 9 years.  Such ingratitude for all the care I gave it.

Peachy

[quaman58]

So about 10 years ago, I got a small plant. After watching it grow for a few years I noticed it hadn’t developed the armor I’d read about. To this day I don’t really know what it is. Possible hybrid? Another Syagrus entirely? Super flat leaves, which is kind of unusual for this genus. Flowering at a fairly small stature as well. Pretty nonetheless!

 

[quaman58]

Since then, I got another. Pretty sure I got the right one this time!

[happypalms]

19 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I had one for over a year down on the hill . A slow grower that the gophers decided to eat for lunch! Harry

All that was left was the leaves ….and this photo!

Curse the gophers, Groundhog Day varmits. At least you had a picture and a memory of your palm. 
Richard

[happypalms]

17 hours ago, peachy said:

Mine grew nearly to one metre overall height in just 9 years.  Such ingratitude for all the care I gave it.

Peachy

At least it didn’t clump up for you. They are slow to start with! 
Richard 

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, quaman58 said:

So about 10 years ago, I got a small plant. After watching it grow for a few years I noticed it hadn’t developed the armor I’d read about. To this day I don’t really know what it is. Possible hybrid? Another Syagrus entirely? Super flat leaves, which is kind of unusual for this genus. Flowering at a fairly small stature as well. Pretty nonetheless!

 

Looks like a lytocarum flower? It may be possible it’s a hybrid lytocarum. 

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, quaman58 said:

Since then, I got another. Pretty sure I got the right one this time!

Nice looking palm in a beautiful setting! Second time a charm they say. And that panda looks like a killer to me! 

[happypalms]

A beautiful little palm the loasensis, and this little one is a good example of a nice seedling. See how this one goes in a few years time as a garden specimen! 

[mnorell]

Best of luck with that one, Richard, I don't think you're going to have any problems. I've been trialing this species for a couple of years and I can say that this is the one species (of the several Areca I've tried) that I've been able to grow completely trouble-free here in the Palm Springs (hot hot low desert) area.

A. triandra, historically touted as the hardiest Areca in general cultivation, has always grown poorly for me, whether I was living in Los Angeles, lower Mississippi, the Florida Keys, or here in the low desert, much to my chagrin...chlorosis, slow leaf-production, finicky with positioning, long-term gradual fade-out, etc. But A. laosensis works for me here like an easy-peasy general-purpose palm as long as I don't blast it with summer sun. It endures our relatively brief winters (with chilly nights, mostly to 5C/41F or so but down to just above the freezing mark one or a couple of times each year) and has no problem with our intense heat-spells in summer as long as it's shaded during the heat; and endures a northern (poleward) exposure in winter without complaint. It can take a decent bit of morning summer sun here as well, with acclimation. I have about a half dozen of these, all still in pots awaiting a final spot in the landscape, so the roots have endured more extremes (about 34F to 124F) than if planted in the ground.

I don't know why this species has been off the radar for so long here in the U.S., perhaps just nobody brought it into general cultivation until Jeff Marcus started growing and distributing it. I've not seen it offered anywhere else. Is it at all common in Australia? Did you grow yours from seed, and has it been easy for you in its youth? I think it's a great palm and I would recommend that people in cool climates (like coastal areas of SoCal and central California, or NSW/Victoria/Western Australia) experiment with it--hopefully some already have--since it can hold a good appearance through winter without yellowing, at least it has for me. It hasn't been super fast, but since it's attractive when young and holds its leaves well over more than a season and thus keeps a nice appearance even in a container, I guardedly consider it one of the successes of my palm experiments here to date. I hope yours really thrives now that you have committed it to a permanent position in the open ground. And I for one would love to hear other people's experiences with this one...

[realarch]

I had never heard of this palm until a year ago, was gifted one and planted it out at the beginning of this year. Not particularly remarkable, but we’ll see how it grows. Leaves are uniformly pinnate which is kind of unusual for Areca. Glad to hear about its hardiness to different climate extremes. 

Tim

[Harry’s Palms]

Very nice , and it already has a pup! Harry

[mnorell]

Odoardo Beccari, who described the species in 1910, said he felt it resembled a diminutive form of A. triandra but that idea was formally excluded because the number of stamens differs between the two, and he felt the closer botanical affinities were with A. oxycarpa and A. mammillata. When I look at photos of some of these species it seems to my eye closer (superficially, not botanically) to A. rheophytica, at least in its leaf/pinnae appearance/arrangement. One thing I like in A. laosensis is that the leaflets are closely set and tend to hang on to each other a bit (like Dictyosperma alba v. conjugatum) lending an overall revolute appearance to the leaf, and they also have the subtle but beautiful french-curve "S" shape typical of others in the genus like A. triandra, though it is perhaps less noticeable because of the thinner leaflets as compared to others in the genus.

And perhaps it's not so crazy that it's got some cool- and cold-hardiness since Vietnam is in its native distribution, and many palms from that region, as from southern China, have proven to be surprisingly winter-tolerant.

[happypalms]

A nice cocothrinax very similar dussiana and alta. A slow growing genus the cocothrinax and very tolerant of some tough conditions. Germinated these ones about 4 years ago and they are doing fine, easy to grow so that’s a good thing in there favour.

[happypalms]

Nothing like a bit of gardening to relax and unwind with after a hard weeks work! And I will say theres always something new to look at in a growing garden that  never stop changing as the plants age. 

[happypalms]

15 hours ago, mnorell said:

Best of luck with that one, Richard, I don't think you're going to have any problems. I've been trialing this species for a couple of years and I can say that this is the one species (of the several Areca I've tried) that I've been able to grow completely trouble-free here in the Palm Springs (hot hot low desert) area.

A. triandra, historically touted as the hardiest Areca in general cultivation, has always grown poorly for me, whether I was living in Los Angeles, lower Mississippi, the Florida Keys, or here in the low desert, much to my chagrin...chlorosis, slow leaf-production, finicky with positioning, long-term gradual fade-out, etc. But A. laosensis works for me here like an easy-peasy general-purpose palm as long as I don't blast it with summer sun. It endures our relatively brief winters (with chilly nights, mostly to 5C/41F or so but down to just above the freezing mark one or a couple of times each year) and has no problem with our intense heat-spells in summer as long as it's shaded during the heat; and endures a northern (poleward) exposure in winter without complaint. It can take a decent bit of morning summer sun here as well, with acclimation. I have about a half dozen of these, all still in pots awaiting a final spot in the landscape, so the roots have endured more extremes (about 34F to 124F) than if planted in the ground.

I don't know why this species has been off the radar for so long here in the U.S., perhaps just nobody brought it into general cultivation until Jeff Marcus started growing and distributing it. I've not seen it offered anywhere else. Is it at all common in Australia? Did you grow yours from seed, and has it been easy for you in its youth? I think it's a great palm and I would recommend that people in cool climates (like coastal areas of SoCal and central California, or NSW/Victoria/Western Australia) experiment with it--hopefully some already have--since it can hold a good appearance through winter without yellowing, at least it has for me. It hasn't been super fast, but since it's attractive when young and holds its leaves well over more than a season and thus keeps a nice appearance even in a container, I guardedly consider it one of the successes of my palm experiments here to date. I hope yours really thrives now that you have committed it to a permanent position in the open ground. And I for one would love to hear other people's experiences with this one...

Well that’s great news for me it tolerates heat because I get plenty of that up to 40 degrees Celsius in summer. 
I purchased my one as a seedling and they are rare as in only a few palm collectors or exotic palm growers have them. 
I recommend you try Areca viladiana and tunku along with songenthensis, those ones have proven themselves growing well for me. 
Iam actually surprised at how tough a lot of the Areca species are. There great for zone pushing trials. 

[happypalms]

14 hours ago, realarch said:

I had never heard of this palm until a year ago, was gifted one and planted it out at the beginning of this year. Not particularly remarkable, but we’ll see how it grows. Leaves are uniformly pinnate which is kind of unusual for Areca. Glad to hear about its hardiness to different climate extremes. 

Tim

There a nice looking palm not up there with any super Calyptrogyne species, but iam impressed with the nice neat look about them. But it’s good to see your still discovering new palms 3 years time you’re one will be seeding f  you in that climate of yours! 

[happypalms]

12 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Very nice , and it already has a pup! Harry

Don’t tell @peachy it clumps! 
Richard 

[peachy]

42 minutes ago, happypalms said:

Don’t tell @peachy it clumps! 
Richard 

Too late !! I am on my way with a litre of Roundup.

Poisonous Peachy

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, peachy said:

Too late !! I am on my way with a litre of Roundup.

Poisonous Peachy

You better bring a big litre, I got plenty of clumping palms, and there just waiting for you. Actually go for the golden canes even I can’t stand them. 
Richard 

[Harry’s Palms]

I have a few clumpers , including two large Lutescens. I’d better install those security cameras and get a big dog in case @peachy ever comes to America . Harry

 

edit: I know she would take the large Dioon out front ! 

[KrisKupsch]

As it’s a place name you’d think you’d spell it correctly. I’ve a hundred or so in pots. The big ones in the ground are perfect incredible specimens that have seen several winters without any problem at all. I guess you didn’t see them here Richard. No need to get them from the north, I’ve lots of them here, adapted and perfect. As for peachy not liking clumping palms lol you should make an allowance for this, it’s a good Palm indeed, fragrant flowers and very compact and dainty. Definitely will be popular in the future. Again Richard I’ve lots, don’t go getting anymore from the north when I can give you some for free. Happy to share if you have only 1, that’s not enough

[Harry’s Palms]

Reviving an old thread to show off a seedling that popped up in my yard last year. My guess is that it is just over 2 years old from seed. I had forgotten that I had shoved a few seeds from one of my mature Howea in the ground around the garden. This is the best of three that popped up and is quite happy in its temporary pot . It got blown around a bit yesterday so I picked it up and added a bit of mix to the top of its pot , the little , tough palm was unscathed and happy. With patience these are easy to germinate in warm temperate climates and they reward you with continuous growth all year round. Harry 

A happy little Kentia!

in 1990 these were the first palms I grew from seed. Those are now mature palms!

[Mazat]

5 minutes ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Reviving an old thread to show off a seedling that popped up in my yard last year. My guess is that it is just over 2 years old from seed. I had forgotten that I had shoved a few seeds from one of my mature Howea in the ground around the garden. This is the best of three that popped up and is quite happy in its temporary pot . It got blown around a bit yesterday so I picked it up and added a bit of mix to the top of its pot , the little , tough palm was unscathed and happy. With patience these are easy to germinate in warm temperate climates and they reward you with continuous growth all year round. Harry 

A happy little Kentia!

in 1990 these were the first palms I grew from seed. Those are now mature palms!

Wonderful, Harry. They are really beautiful in every size.

heating mats (2 - with 20 - 42 degrees celsius temperatureregulator-Sabine found a bargain) are coming soon, maybe we will try it later. Okay, we would need seeds for that later 😃

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Reviving an old thread to show off a seedling that popped up in my yard last year. My guess is that it is just over 2 years old from seed. I had forgotten that I had shoved a few seeds from one of my mature Howea in the ground around the garden. This is the best of three that popped up and is quite happy in its temporary pot . It got blown around a bit yesterday so I picked it up and added a bit of mix to the top of its pot , the little , tough palm was unscathed and happy. With patience these are easy to germinate in warm temperate climates and they reward you with continuous growth all year round. Harry 

A happy little Kentia!

in 1990 these were the first palms I grew from seed. Those are now mature palms!

Beautiful little palm. As you know Harry we both have a kentia stomping ground from back in the day. 
Richard 

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, Mazat said:

Wonderful, Harry. They are really beautiful in every size.

heating mats (2 - with 20 - 42 degrees celsius temperatureregulator-Sabine found a bargain) are coming soon, maybe we will try it later. Okay, we would need seeds for that later 😃

No need for heating mats, just time. And I have heard that the red seeds have low germination rate,  in comparison to the yellow green seeds. But one palm sold to Europe by the hundreds of thousands! 

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, KrisKupsch said:

As it’s a place name you’d think you’d spell it correctly. I’ve a hundred or so in pots. The big ones in the ground are perfect incredible specimens that have seen several winters without any problem at all. I guess you didn’t see them here Richard. No need to get them from the north, I’ve lots of them here, adapted and perfect. As for peachy not liking clumping palms lol you should make an allowance for this, it’s a good Palm indeed, fragrant flowers and very compact and dainty. Definitely will be popular in the future. Again Richard I’ve lots, don’t go getting anymore from the north when I can give you some for free. Happy to share if you have only 1, that’s not enough

Good to see your onto the spell check👍 i wouldn’t mind a few more there a nice palm, nothing majorly spectacular in the leaf department but a nice neat clean fine line looking palm, with some nice green colours. Ps I always check on my spelling but you know them little buttons on the phone get in the way and you know one is never enough! 

[happypalms]

8 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I have a few clumpers , including two large Lutescens. I’d better install those security cameras and get a big dog in case @peachy ever comes to America . Harry

 

edit: I know she would take the large Dioon out front ! 

I think @peachy dislikes clumping palms that much I believe a plane ticket has been booked for California. So look out the roundup is on its way or did they ban that in the US yet. 
Pushing it with dioon I think peachy is more of a cute little Cerotazamia lady. 
Richard