15 minutes ago, peachy said:

I have a very young Kerriodoxa that I bought from happypalms early last year. This is it's second winter on the patio and it's doing fine. It went a bit tatty in the extreme heat wave in January but has recovered well.  Pritchardias have survived every thing my winters can throw at them, P pacifica being the exception but P thurstonii which looks almost the same, does really well.  My Chamaedorea woodsoniana was very slow until the heavy rain this year and has now doubled in height. I started my garden when I moved here in July 2021 so unless you planted some advance specimens, your Melbourne garden is keeping almost equal pace with mine.

Peachy

Thanks Peachy. My Kerriodoxa from happy palms is doing well but I still keep it protected from frost in winter there still in a pot. Maybe one day I’ll put it under canopy once it develops a bit more.

I did transplant some of these palms from my old garden including 6x Archontophoenix myolensis, Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae and one of the Chambeyronia oliviformis. A few more advanced planting too 5 years ago and then a bunch 4 years ago including most of the marginal Chrysalidocarpus like the madagascariensis, pilulifer and the hybrids. Growth rate has surprised me though for most of them. I’m convinced soil is a big factor. There are 20+ year old palms at my childhood garden which are not even head height. Soil there is basically pure beach sand with minimal moisture and nutrient retention.

Growing season in Melbourne has started now, so it’s a good time for an update on some winners and losers from winter and some new plantings. I got down to around -1C/30F a couple of times and had around 15 frosts which is around average. Day time temperatures were slightly above average which helped.

Chambeyronia divaricata pair - first winter in ground, no issues at all but slow. 

 

Euterpe edulis Orange Crownshaft and Bentinckia condapanna. A bit of spotting on the B condapanna but otherwise ok. 

 

Hyphaene petersiana first winter in ground has survived - just. Let’s see if a bit of warmth can kick start it back into growth. 

Linospadix apetiolatus and L  microcaryus enjoyed winter and even kept growing. 

 

Lepidorrhachis pair loved winter as expected. Such a bright green. Oraniopsis in the background never has any issues with winter. 

 

Geonoma stricta was the only loss in ground due to cold this year. It didn’t even make it through June. If you’re thinking about planting one of these in Melbourne or a similarly cool climate…don’t 🤣. 

 

Some new plantings:

Chamaedorea benziei. The one I kept in a pot grew faster than the 3 already in ground. It joins the triple to make a quadruple planting

Chamaedorea alternans double planted  

 

Chamaedorea oblongata ‘Loran Whitlock Bubble Leaf’ form.  Apparently there’s some history to this form and may be distinct from oblongata. I’ve planted all 4 of mine here in the hope of maximising chance of seed.

Jubaeopsis afra

Pritchardia minor. Particularly excited about this one. Seed from @richnorm a few years ago. A massive Chamaedorea cataractarum taking up a very large space was removed to make way for this.

 

Looking great Tim, I'm barracking for the Bentinckia!

Also a good swap out for the P minor...although surely you can squeeze a few dozen more species in that spot now!

59 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

Looking great Tim, I'm barracking for the Bentinckia!

Also a good swap out for the P minor...although surely you can squeeze a few dozen more species in that spot now!

You know me too well! There are plans!

How does your family come along with all that time you spend in the garden? I am sure this question sounds familiar to many palm growers with families around the globe...

There’s always the roof Tim if you run out of ground floor room. So many palms so little room is the only problem, I can lease you an acre of land if you like! But keep on packing em in it’s a jungle out there!

4 minutes ago, Phoenikakias said:

How does your family come along with all that time you spend in the garden? I am sure this question sounds familiar to many palm growers with families around the globe...

Just as well you didn’t ask me that question? I will let you know my answer when I have time to answer you!

13 minutes ago, happypalms said:

There’s always the roof Tim if you run out of ground floor room. So many palms so little room is the only problem, I can lease you an acre of land if you like! But keep on packing em in it’s a jungle out there!

It’s a good question and I’m sure many on this forum find it hard to balance time. In a way I’m lucky I’m only only on a 600 square metre block. While it limits what I can plant, it does mean I don’t need to spend a huge amount of time on it. Honestly the garden is quite low maintenance; I’ve got automated irrigation so don’t spend any time watering and other things like new plantings and weeding are only occasional. Usually only a couple of lunch breaks on work from home days is what’s required to keep things going, and propagating and potting up take more of that time than actually out in the garden. So personally it doesn’t really impact family life at all, but I know we’re not all that lucky. 

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

Just as well you didn’t ask me that question? I will let you know my answer when I have time to answer you!

Lol I have hit an oil field here. I could have created a new topic on this issue, if I wanted being indiscreet.  But because of this same reason I guess this is only a discussion topic among friends in palm society meetings!

45 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

 ..., but I know we’re not all that lucky. 

You bet!

You’re doing much better than me with Chambeyronia divaricata Tim. I’ve had two and killed both of them. Picture of health one day, then leaves start wilting from the outside in culminating in spear pull and death. Fungus was suggested as the culprit.

What’s the brom in front of your B. condapanna? Does it get much bigger than that? 

14 minutes ago, Jonathan Haycock said:

You’re doing much better than me with Chambeyronia divaricata Tim. I’ve had two and killed both of them. Picture of health one day, then leaves start wilting from the outside in culminating in spear pull and death. Fungus was suggested as the culprit.

What’s the brom in front of your B. condapanna? Does it get much bigger than that? 

Were the divaricata smaller than mine? I’ve had what I think you’re describing on various rare New Cal species seedlings where a kind of wilt or necrosis starts at the frond tips and works its way back to the growth point. Usually once I’ve noticed it I haven’t been able to reverse the effect. Someone suggested it might be mineral requirement in the soil, so recently when I spotted it on a Cyphosperma balansae I re potted it with fresh soil with some volcanic rock dust sprinkled in. Happy to report it worked and it’s now growing again with the necrosis halted. If the symptoms sound similar might be worth re potting if you get that again. Of course, many New Cal species are tricky as seedlings and I’m really just guessing. I think they tend to get easier with size and I was lucky enough to get my C divaricata already past seedling size. 
 

The bromeliad is Vriesea Princess Annique x Patrice. I was wondering if any palmtalkers would notice it, it is one that catches my eye. I only just saw yesterday that it is now going into spike so it has reached its ultimate size at least for me. It’s already produced 2 pups so now I’ll hope for more as it enters its final stage. 

4 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Were the divaricata smaller than mine? I’ve had what I think you’re describing on various rare New Cal species seedlings where a kind of wilt or necrosis starts at the frond tips and works its way back to the growth point. Usually once I’ve noticed it I haven’t been able to reverse the effect. Someone suggested it might be mineral requirement in the soil, so recently when I spotted it on a Cyphosperma balansae I re potted it with fresh soil with some volcanic rock dust sprinkled in. Happy to report it worked and it’s now growing again with the necrosis halted. If the symptoms sound similar might be worth re potting if you get that again. Of course, many New Cal species are tricky as seedlings and I’m really just guessing. I think they tend to get easier with size and I was lucky enough to get my C divaricata already past seedling size. 

The bromeliad is Vriesea Princess Annique x Patrice. I was wondering if any palmtalkers would notice it, it is one that catches my eye. I only just saw yesterday that it is now going into spike so it has reached its ultimate size at least for me. It’s already produced 2 pups so now I’ll hope for more as it enters its final stage. 

They were both of similar size I'd say, perhaps a touch smaller than yours. Well past the awkward phase I would have thought, but they had other ideas. My other New Cal seedlings seem to be doing fine other the C. balansae, which I struggle to germinate and then keep alive. Perhaps some mineral addition would be the go next time. 

Hoping to pop up to see Stan next month so will ask him about that variety of Bromeliad. It's a lovely plant. 

22 hours ago, Jonathan Haycock said:

They were both of similar size I'd say, perhaps a touch smaller than yours. Well past the awkward phase I would have thought, but they had other ideas. My other New Cal seedlings seem to be doing fine other the C. balansae, which I struggle to germinate and then keep alive. Perhaps some mineral addition would be the go next time. 

Hoping to pop up to see Stan next month so will ask him about that variety of Bromeliad. It's a lovely plant. 

From memory the bromeliad is a Jacob Koning hybrid who I’m sure Stan will know. Broms are definitely a secondary collection for me, but I do like the patterned Vrieseas in particular and they complement a palm garden well without competing much for moisture and nutrients. 

On 10/13/2025 at 6:22 PM, Jonathan said:

Looking great Tim, I'm barracking for the Bentinckia!

Also a good swap out for the P minor...although surely you can squeeze a few dozen more species in that spot now!

Got the spot filled up nice and quickly. Maybe still some room left though 🤣
 

Ceroxylon amazonicum

 

It's looking amazing Tim! Great stuff mate.

3 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Got the spot filled up nice and quickly. Maybe still some room left though 🤣
 

Ceroxylon amazonicum

 

You don't mess around do you Timothy?

I've got a couple of those in the ground, similar kind of size...race ya!

On 10/13/2025 at 8:00 PM, tim_brissy_13 said:

It’s a good question and I’m sure many on this forum find it hard to balance time. In a way I’m lucky I’m only only on a 600 square metre block. While it limits what I can plant, it does mean I don’t need to spend a huge amount of time on it. Honestly the garden is quite low maintenance; I’ve got automated irrigation so don’t spend any time watering and other things like new plantings and weeding are only occasional. Usually only a couple of lunch breaks on work from home days is what’s required to keep things going, and propagating and potting up take more of that time than actually out in the garden. So personally it doesn’t really impact family life at all, but I know we’re not all that lucky. 

I find if you just love plants and gardening it doesn’t really impede with your work life balance. But for sure drag the wife along to many a nursery and gardens visiting some would say yes to that, my wife has a love of plants and it works well for us both doing something we love together. I could see a young family being a bit different with the family work balance and the garden being more of a hobby putting family first. But either way in the garden we are free from all work! 

On 10/13/2025 at 8:23 AM, tim_brissy_13 said:

Growing season in Melbourne has started now, so it’s a good time for an update on some winners and losers from winter and some new plantings. I got down to around -1C/30F a couple of times and had around 15 frosts which is around average. Day time temperatures were slightly above average which helped.

Chambeyronia divaricata pair - first winter in ground, no issues at all but slow. 

 

Euterpe edulis Orange Crownshaft and Bentinckia condapanna. A bit of spotting on the B condapanna but otherwise ok. 

 

Hyphaene petersiana first winter in ground has survived - just. Let’s see if a bit of warmth can kick start it back into growth. 

Linospadix apetiolatus and L  microcaryus enjoyed winter and even kept growing. 

 

Lepidorrhachis pair loved winter as expected. Such a bright green. Oraniopsis in the background never has any issues with winter. 

 

Geonoma stricta was the only loss in ground due to cold this year. It didn’t even make it through June. If you’re thinking about planting one of these in Melbourne or a similarly cool climate…don’t 🤣. 

 

Some new plantings:

Chamaedorea benziei. The one I kept in a pot grew faster than the 3 already in ground. It joins the triple to make a quadruple planting

Chamaedorea alternans double planted  

 

Chamaedorea oblongata ‘Loran Whitlock Bubble Leaf’ form.  Apparently there’s some history to this form and may be distinct from oblongata. I’ve planted all 4 of mine here in the hope of maximising chance of seed.

Jubaeopsis afra

Pritchardia minor. Particularly excited about this one. Seed from @richnorm a few years ago. A massive Chamaedorea cataractarum taking up a very large space was removed to make way for this.

 

We are very happy that the growing season has begun and that you, Tim and everyone else there are enjoying more pleasant, warmer temperatures again. It's autumn here, and yesterday we both had to put our warm sweaters back on so we wouldn't freeze in St. Gallen... and that at 11 degrees Celsius in St. Gallen...

On 10/13/2025 at 8:23 AM, tim_brissy_13 said:

Growing season in Melbourne has started now, so it’s a good time for an update on some winners and losers from winter and some new plantings. I got down to around -1C/30F a couple of times and had around 15 frosts which is around average. Day time temperatures were slightly above average which helped.

Chambeyronia divaricata pair - first winter in ground, no issues at all but slow. 

 

Euterpe edulis Orange Crownshaft and Bentinckia condapanna. A bit of spotting on the B condapanna but otherwise ok. 

 

Hyphaene petersiana first winter in ground has survived - just. Let’s see if a bit of warmth can kick start it back into growth. 

Linospadix apetiolatus and L  microcaryus enjoyed winter and even kept growing. 

 

Lepidorrhachis pair loved winter as expected. Such a bright green. Oraniopsis in the background never has any issues with winter. 

 

Geonoma stricta was the only loss in ground due to cold this year. It didn’t even make it through June. If you’re thinking about planting one of these in Melbourne or a similarly cool climate…don’t 🤣. 

 

Some new plantings:

Chamaedorea benziei. The one I kept in a pot grew faster than the 3 already in ground. It joins the triple to make a quadruple planting

Chamaedorea alternans double planted  

 

Chamaedorea oblongata ‘Loran Whitlock Bubble Leaf’ form.  Apparently there’s some history to this form and may be distinct from oblongata. I’ve planted all 4 of mine here in the hope of maximising chance of seed.

Jubaeopsis afra

Pritchardia minor. Particularly excited about this one. Seed from @richnorm a few years ago. A massive Chamaedorea cataractarum taking up a very large space was removed to make way for this.

 

beautiful pictures, Tim.

Growing season pretty much over now in Melbourne, so time for some updates. 
 

Starting with the South facing backyard garden. Generally cooler climate stuff growing in here:

Archontophoenix myolensis getting very large now. Howea belmoreana to the left, Chamaedorea hooperiana to the right. 

 

Hedyscepe canterburyana

 

Lepidorrhachis mooreana pair. Pleasantly surprised with how they coped with multiple 40C+ days and a couple around 44C/111F.  Didn’t stop growing over summer.

 

Chuniophoenix hainanensis. Slow here, but happy enough.

 

Oraniopsis appendiculata getting (too?) large

A couple of Chambeyronia divaricata settling in nicely.

 

Linospadix apetiolatus (left) and L microcaryus (right). I like the contrast of the entire fronds and finely divided leaflets of these two.
 

 

Caryota monostachya

 

Ceroxylon alpinum

 

Archontophoenix purpurea. Possibly the nicest colour a palm can produce in my climate.

Syagrus weddeliana

 

Trachycarpus princeps

 

Liospadix monostachya

 

Ceroxylon vogelianum

 

Trachycarpus nanus x princeps F1. Slow but finally putting out divided fronds. 

Ceroxylon quindiuense 

Pritchardia minor

 

Chrysalidocarpus baronii ‘Black Petiole/Vokona Lodge’

Group of 4 Chamaedorea tepejilote ‘Yellow Inflorescence’

Parajubaea tvt getting monstrous. Size 11 for scale 

Parajubaea sunkha

Rhopalostylis sapida ‘East Cape/Fine Leaf’

Chamaedorea benziei

Chamaedorea nubium

Ceroxylon amazonicum

3 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Syagrus weddeliana

 

Trachycarpus princeps

 

Liospadix monostachya

 

Ceroxylon vogelianum

 

Trachycarpus nanus x princeps F1. Slow but finally putting out divided fronds. 

Ceroxylon quindiuense 

Pritchardia minor

 

Chrysalidocarpus baronii ‘Black Petiole/Vokona Lodge’

Group of 4 Chamaedorea tepejilote ‘Yellow Inflorescence’

Parajubaea tvt getting monstrous. Size 11 for scale 

Parajubaea sunkha

Rhopalostylis sapida ‘East Cape/Fine Leaf’

Chamaedorea benziei

Chamaedorea nubium

Ceroxylon amazonicum

Theres still room for more small understory palms☝️

Moving on to the North facing little nook outside my back door. I use this space for some of my marginal species as it gets reflected heat off the North facing brick but is still somewhat protected to the West from the deck and pergola. 
 

Chrysalidocarpus lanceolatus 

 

Gaussia maya

 

Dypsis rosea.  This frond has been red for months.

 

Chambeyronia oliviformis

 

Chrysalidocarpus arenarum 

 

Chrysalidocarpus arenarum  crownshaft and petiole detail. Love these colours.

East facing backyard garden. This is really my prime location.  Gets the morning sun, warms up relatively quickly but then protected from afternoon sun. New Caledonian and Oceanic species seem to love it. Some things it here which aren’t known to grow in Melbourne elsewhere doing well. 
 

Cyphophoenix nucele

 

Bentinckia condapanna

 

Chambeyronia divaricata

 

Euterpe edulis ‘Orange Crownshaft’

 

Chambeyronia oliviformis

 

Pritchardia napaliensis 

 

Hyophorbe indica ‘Red / Southern Form’. Only 4 years from seed, getting too large to capture well in photos.

 

Chambeyronia macrocarpa var hookeri

 

Pritchardia martii settling in after a rough start in ground.

 

Chamaedorea woodsoniana big male getting ready for its Spring pollen spreading. The crownshaft of this one always bulges heavily this time of year. 

 

Chrysalidocarpus baronii Black Petiole/Vokona Lodge

Chambeyronia macrocarpa var flavopicta 

 

Cyphophoenix elegans. One of my favourites in my garden. Very large and great colours.

 

North facing backyard garden away from the house. These palms need to cope with hot sun and frost. Not much protection from anything here.

Jubaea chilensis

 

Brahea calcarea

 

Beccariophoenix alfredii (left) and a Syagrus sp from S sancona seed many years ago which isn’t. I think I’ve narrowed down to S orinocensis, S picrophylla or S oleracea.

 

Arenga engleri. Slow grow here.

 

Sabal bermudana

 

Chrysalidocarpus sp bef. Never been completely happy this one, possibly too exposed and planted too small.

 

Pritchardia maideniana looking great now.  This is a tough palm.

 

Phoenix rupicola. My only Phoenix in my collection (mostly by choice due to size constraints)

Some good ones in there Tim, well done on the temperate growing of palms. A lot of homework has been done and a lot luck has come your way!  

Looking good Tim.

Jeez that woodsoniana is a beast, love the big crownshaft...there's something very appealing about the scale of a single trunked palm that size.  

I might need to rent you a few acres though!

I wish my T. princeps looked that good Tim. Mine grow well here for a few years then go into decline and ultimately spear pull. I just think they detest the humidity and heat. I have more seedlings on the go that'll get planted in Malanda at some stage. Hope the cooler climate there is more to their liking. Did you get that T. nanus x T. princeps from me? I have one left here I think. Will have to check on it. 

Proper envious of your Ceroxylon's. Can't even get the buggers to germinate here. 🤣

Your Bentinckia condapanna is looking great. Tougher than they look for sure.

 

1 hour ago, Jonathan Haycock said:

I wish my T. princeps looked that good Tim. Mine grow well here for a few years then go into decline and ultimately spear pull. I just think they detest the humidity and heat. I have more seedlings on the go that'll get planted in Malanda at some stage. Hope the cooler climate there is more to their liking. Did you get that T. nanus x T. princeps from me? I have one left here I think. Will have to check on it. 

Proper envious of your Ceroxylon's. Can't even get the buggers to germinate here. 🤣

Your Bentinckia condapanna is looking great. Tougher than they look for sure.

 

I’m just lucky with my T princeps. Don’t really give it any special attention and it’s not in a particularly protected spot but it just keeps looking better. It must just like the climate here with an extended cool season. It doesn’t mind the occasionally extreme heat so I’d say you’re right; probably long periods of heat and humidity they wouldn’t love. 
 

Yes - the T nanus x princeps was yours Jonathan. I probably planted it at a smaller size than ideal, but it’s finally starting to look like something now. Growth habit has been cheeping in that typical T nanus way so far. The S bermudana pictured was also from you, and there’ll be a couple more of yours to come in updates of other areas of the garden. 

West facing backyard garden now. This garden isn’t protected by the retained warmth of the house and cops fairly intense afternoon sun. About half the length of this garden is tricky to keep moist due to a neighbour’s massive P canariensis sucking up the moisture. I mainly plant quite hardy species here. Future plans include some of the rare Trachycarpus and Chamaedorea sp once there’s a bit more canopy. 
 

Arenga micrantha @Jonathan

 

Chamaedorea alternans

 

Ceroxylon echinulatum

 

Chamaedorea radicalis tree form.  Gets tall fast!

 

Chamaedorea plumosa

 

Laccospadix australasica

 

Arenga disticha

 

A pair of Trachycarpus sp Nova behind the bromeliad

 

Cyphophoenix elegans

 

Now for my South facing garden on the blind side of my house. Not much space or sun here, so Chamaedorea sp are well suited. 
 

Chamaedorea oblongata

 

Chuniophoenix nana

 

Chamaedorea arenbergiana x nationsiana F1

Chamaedorea ernesti-augustii

 

Chamaedorea anemophila. 

 

Chamaedorea liebmannii

 

Chamaedorea metallica 

 

Chamaedorea brachypoda

 

Chamaedorea elatior fronds recently served as a nice rodent snack. Thankfully they left the growth points and it’s making a recovery. 

West facing front yard - not a huge amount of space out front but I’ve packed a fair bit in. Most of this garden gets hot afternoon sun in summer. Positions up against the house seem to retain warmth as well as anywhere so it’s suitable for marginal species. There’s a heavy bias towards Madagascan species here, only somewhat intentionally. 
 

Chrysalidocarpus cabadae x madagascariensis F1 (L) and C pembanus x madagascariensis F1 (R)

 

Chrysalidocarpus malcomberi

 

Schippia concolor behind one of my favourite bromeliads, Vriesea hieroglyphica

 

Brahea Super Silver

 

Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae

 

Chrysalidocarpus baronii

 

Bismarckia nobilis

 

Chrysalidocarpus decaryi x leptocheilos F1

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens 

 

Chrysalidocarpus decipiens

 

Brahea dulcis

 

Sabal minor in fruit

 

Chrysalidocarpus madagascariensis

 

Archontophoenix myolensis

 

Jubaeopsis afra

 

Trithrinax (brasiliensis var) acanthocoma

 

Chamaerops humilis var argentea

 

Chamaerops humilis Vulcano

 

Brahea moorei @Jonathan Haycock

 

Chrysalidocarpus pilulifer x madagascariensis F1

 

Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus hybrid (possibly x pembanus or x cabadae F1). Love the colours on this beast especially when it gets wet.  One palm that just doesn’t look like it belongs down here on the freezer, just looks so tropical.

 

Have you figured out how many species you have in the ground Tim?

My money is on a whole lot.

1 hour ago, Jonathan said:

Have you figured out how many species you have in the ground Tim?

My money is on a whole lot.

I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to tracking the collection, but in ground species is something I’ve never tracked. I think I probably should. 
 

Someone recently asked me about my total collection including potted palms and I do keep a list of- up to 283 now and it regularly increasing lately. If I had to guess, I’d say about half of those species would be in ground. Will have to sort this list to note in ground too - I’ll get on it!

Good Grief Tim! What an epic photo inventory of your palm collection. Your palm fever is serious and I’m afraid we’re going to have to put you on life support. Now, start counting from 100 backwards. 

Tim