Some old invoices and what was available 20 years ago

[happypalms]

I found some old paperwork from around 21 years back incredible what was available and how cheap it was just for 100 seedlings you pay that for just one palm nowadays how times have changed it’s interesting to see the names of some of the plants i purchased that are still in the garden today and it was before the internet you actually made phone calls or sent letters.

[Jonathan]

Fascinating Richard. Where are all those palms now?

Quite amazing that the diversity of species offered was so high, compared to now...I wouldn't mind a few Dypsis decipiens in 5" pots for $8.50! We need Dr Who.

[tim_brissy_13]

1 hour ago, Jonathan said:

Fascinating Richard. Where are all those palms now?

Quite amazing that the diversity of species offered was so high, compared to now...I wouldn't mind a few Dypsis decipiens in 5" pots for $8.50! We need Dr Who.

Exactly what I was thinking. I guess it just shows how hard it is to be commercially viable as a palm nursery especially these days. There really aren’t many left at all in Aus. Really wish I could go back in time and buy a bunch of Ravenea albicans for $5 each.   I know there are a couple in Aus getting some size, but there must be a bunch out there (I hope).  

[Harry’s Palms]

Boy , that brings back memories . I would go to Green Thumb in Ventura . They had a small section in the greenhouse right by the door . They had small bands with a handful of varieties for less than $10 , most around $5! That was back in the early nineties. Then we made a few trips to Rancho Soledad where they would hand you a price list very similar to the one posted  and we would wander around a massive growing ground with huge areas of shade cloth . And , don’t get me started on the Palmadium!! Harry

[SeanK]

Sadly, Palms are a niche market and it's tough to make a livable income. 

[happypalms]

20 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Fascinating Richard. Where are all those palms now?

Quite amazing that the diversity of species offered was so high, compared to now...I wouldn't mind a few Dypsis decipiens in 5" pots for $8.50! We need Dr Who.

Yep don’t worry about the palms I want the supplier’s most of the ones I got I planted and sold the rest I still see a few around in gardens and think I wonder if I sold that palm to them I wouldn’t mind the darinii for that price again.

[happypalms]

18 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Boy , that brings back memories . I would go to Green Thumb in Ventura . They had a small section in the greenhouse right by the door . They had small bands with a handful of varieties for less than $10 , most around $5! That was back in the early nineties. Then we made a few trips to Rancho Soledad where they would hand you a price list very similar to the one posted  and we would wander around a massive growing ground with huge areas of shade cloth . And , don’t get me started on the Palmadium!! Harry

I know incredible stuff how times have changed I guess we all remember the good old days rosebud farm was the best absolutely amazing stuff.

Richard 

[happypalms]

19 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Exactly what I was thinking. I guess it just shows how hard it is to be commercially viable as a palm nursery especially these days. There really aren’t many left at all in Aus. Really wish I could go back in time and buy a bunch of Ravenea albicans for $5 each.   I know there are a couple in Aus getting some size, but there must be a bunch out there (I hope).  

It’s not what you know but who you know the cost of soil and pots now with labour cost electricity it all add up that’s why palms are so expensive now add the import costs I don’t question a price of a rare palm nowadays a lot goes into it.

[happypalms]

18 hours ago, SeanK said:

Sadly, Palms are a niche market and it's tough to make a livable income. 

So true especially rare and exotic palms the markets are the go a grower can get pretty well get what he is asking to a certain degree.

[SeanK]

8 hours ago, happypalms said:

So true especially rare and exotic palms the markets are the go a grower can get pretty well get what he is asking to a certain degree.

Here in the States, most home owners go with the basic bread and butter stuff. Peruse this site - countless people in z9b and warmer worried about Queens and robustas. Unless they attend a local affiliate meeting, they'll never know what else they could grow 

[happypalms]

15 hours ago, SeanK said:

Here in the States, most home owners go with the basic bread and butter stuff. Peruse this site - countless people in z9b and warmer worried about Queens and robustas. Unless they attend a local affiliate meeting, they'll never know what else they could grow 

As a nursery grower the biggest question I get asked is do you have any golden canes if only they knew there are so many better looking palms than golden canes the gardening shows on television need to be educated about exotic plants.

[Tyrone]

That certainly brings back great memories of Rosebud Farm. I lived only a couple of kms from the airport. So I’d pick up the parcels from quarantine and meet with my palmy mates at home and pot up late into the night. Those were the days. 

[happypalms]

22 minutes ago, Tyrone said:

That certainly brings back great memories of Rosebud Farm. I lived only a couple of kms from the airport. So I’d pick up the parcels from quarantine and meet with my palmy mates at home and pot up late into the night. Those were the days. 

Yer rich was fantastic up there with the best of the best the best was back then I had no idea about what varieties to get no internet only books I think I brought every book about palms and tropical plants available you even had to write letters crazy days

[Harry’s Palms]

I dunno , over here in The States in my limited travels , locally , I’m seeing more varieties in folk’s yards than I used to . Sure , the majority are the big box store varieties , Queen , Pygmy Date , King palms . I also see some large Ravenna , C. Decarii , Howea F. and others are more common. Harry

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I dunno , over here in The States in my limited travels , locally , I’m seeing more varieties in folk’s yards than I used to . Sure , the majority are the big box store varieties , Queen , Pygmy Date , King palms . I also see some large Ravenna , C. Decarii , Howea F. and others are more common. Harry

Do t worry Harry if I have my way they will be buying Johannesteijsmannia Kerriodoxa elegans and a lot more exotic varieties I sell to a local hardware store I will educate them slowly.

Richard 

[Tyrone]

2 hours ago, happypalms said:

Do t worry Harry if I have my way they will be buying Johannesteijsmannia Kerriodoxa elegans and a lot more exotic varieties I sell to a local hardware store I will educate them slowly.

Richard 

If I ever move from here, I’m going to move to northern coastal NSW or SE QLD. Then I will come by and buy a truck load of stuff from you. 

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, Tyrone said:

If I ever move from here, I’m going to move to northern coastal NSW or SE QLD. Then I will come by and buy a truck load of stuff from you. 

 

1 hour ago, Tyrone said:

If I ever move from here, I’m going to move to northern coastal NSW or SE QLD. Then I will come by and buy a truck load of stuff from you. 

Smart decision sold to the man with the money.