Bamboo Shade House

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

After I received my first big order of palm seeds back in June (1700 seeds), I started wondering "what am I going to do with these when they germinate?"  I talked to the local guy who oversees the workers about a possible shade house and he showed me this site.  He said it was high and dry and that it would not get muddy or flooded during the rainy season which lasts a good 7 months here.  It's a tricky spot, since the ground slopes down all around this area and it can be very steep.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

A few months ago I had to go to San Jose on business and was there for almost a week.  When I got home, I found this waiting for me.  It's a bit rustic looking, but it's functional and I love it!  They used logs they found around the property for poles and then used bamboo, also from the property, to build the top structure that holds the shade cloth.   

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Some of my seedlings.  I should have put these directly in one gallon bags instead of these plastic cups!

Archontophoenix maxima

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Rhopaloblaste augusta

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Archontophoenix alexandrae

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Not sure what these are, I collected the seeds near the Arenal volcano.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

I'm not sure what these are either.  I collected them at the hotel I stayed at near Arenal.  They had a couple big clumps of these palms outside of the lobby.  They were growing in full sun and were very yellow.  I think I will keep these in shade.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

I picked these up at a local hardware store.  

Foxtail

This one was not labeled but I grabbed it anyway  

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Archontophoenix myolensis

[BS Man about Palms]

Neat!

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Dictyosperma album

A few have some red on the leaves

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Pigafetta elata

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Pigafettas are way fast growing!

Here's a picture for comparison.  Pigafetta in the middle, A maxima on the left and D album on the right.  The A maxima's sprouted a month or more before the Piggy's and the D album's germinated about the same time as the Piggy's.  Look at the difference.  I just potted the Piggys up into the bags last week.  Before that, they were growing in those small plastic cups.

Close detail

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Cyphophoenix nucele

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Kentiopsis oliviformis

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Carpoxylon macrospermum - I bought one germinating seed back in September.  

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Metroxylon warbugii

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Dypsis sp "Juraissic Park"

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Iriartea deltoidea - I picked this one up near Limon on the Caribbean side of the country.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

A couple more views of the shadehouse from the other side.

[BS Man about Palms]

(Jeff in Costa Rica @ Dec. 10 2007,20:41)

QUOTE

Dypsis sp "Juraissic Park"

other than the source, biggest one I've seen!        With Frog?

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Lots of Elaeis guineensis growing down at the bottom of the hill.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

I want to dig some "steps" or terraces going down the hill to line up more potted palms.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

One last picture looking in.  I need to do some weeding in there!

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(BS, Man about Palms @ Dec. 10 2007,23:50)

QUOTE

(Jeff in Costa Rica @ Dec. 10 2007,20:41)

QUOTE

Dypsis sp "Juraissic Park"

other than the source, biggest one I've seen!        With Frog?

Bill, not sure if that is a frog.  I was picking some weeds out of the pots before taking pictures and I think I dropped a clump of mud on the leaf!  I was concerned about some of these seedlings with all the rain we've had in the last few months.  I was afraid some of them might rot or dampen off, but so far so good!

[SubTropicRay]

Wow!!  Great seedlings Jeff.  Don't forget your periodic shipment back to the tundra.

[Exotic Life]

Jeff,

Good looking picture's, also the seedlings... You have really got a very nice lot too do you're palm thing

Robbin

[oppalm]

great looking seedlings and shelter.   Looks like you are on your way.

[paulgila]

jeff it looks like yer on yer way!great pix!

[palmmermaid]

Jeff,

Nice looking seedlings!  I am always intrigued by how clever the people in other countries are when something is needed.  They don't run to the nearest Home Depot and buy everything.  They just what they have and make it work.  We had to do that when I was growing up.  I try to re-use stuff now.  My weeds I put down on the next area of grass to kill.  Works great.

[iwan]

(Jeff in Costa Rica @ Dec. 10 2007,20:28)

QUOTE

Pigafetta elata

They are so cute when they are young.

[Jeff Searle]

Jeff,

    You are part of a growing number of palm enthusiast that are starting to grow more and more exotic palms in CR. Another friend of mine was just up visiting last week here, and he as well has been collecting and growing more palms for his landscaping business. So, I guess your officially a nurserman now.  Welcome to the club.

Jeff

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Thanks everyone!

Ray, you'll be in Costa Rica in less than 5 months.  Save room in your suitcase!

Kitty, clever is not the word for it.  Tico's are Masters at improvising.  Nothing goes to waste around here.  Everything gets re-used over and over sometimes in very interesting ways.  I did find it amazing when I came home and found they had built me the shade house using materials they found around the property.  Even the shade cloth was re-used.  It had been rolled up neatly and stored away.  And I had been planning on buying all the materials!

[junglegalfla]

I love it! Your Carpoxylon macrospermum is kicking butt. Mine still only has one leaf!

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(Jeff Searle @ Dec. 11 2007,15:48)

QUOTE

Jeff,

    You are part of a growing number of palm enthusiast that are starting to grow more and more exotic palms in CR. Another friend of mine was just up visiting last week here, and he as well has been collecting and growing more palms for his landscaping business. So, I guess your officially a nurserman now.  Welcome to the club.

Jeff

Jeff,

I would love to meet other palm enthusiasts in Costa Rica!  In fact, who do I talk to about starting a chapter of the IPS here?  I understand there is no Costan Rican chapter.  I'm not even sure if there would be enough interest but it's worth asking about!

Thanks for the welcome, but I don't know if I would call myself a nurseryman yet   , I'm mostly growing these palms to plant here on the property and to keep a few for my private collection.  But, with the lack of exotic palms found in local nurserys, I'm glad at least some people are growing other palms besides the few that are used over and over in landscapes here.

[Tyrone]

What a perfect set up. Also with all that rain, there is no need to set up an irrigation system. I'm envious.  

regards

Tyrone

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(junglegalfla @ Dec. 11 2007,15:56)

QUOTE

I love it! Your Carpoxylon macrospermum is kicking butt. Mine still only has one leaf!

Thanks Bren!  I like the fact that they are nice big seedlings.  I already have a spot picked out for this palm near the Bali House.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(Tyrone @ Dec. 11 2007,16:23)

QUOTE

What a perfect set up. Also with all that rain, there is no need to set up an irrigation system. I'm envious.  

regards

Tyrone

Thanks Tyrone, but we are getting ready to go into the Dry Season now, although you would never know it after the last couple of days.  It is raining again today!  The dry season lasts usually from December to April and it rains very little during that time.  We do have occasional rain, but sometimes it can be weeks between rainfalls.  I will definitely need to figure out some kind of irrigation (or most likely hand watering) system during those 4-5 months.

[SubTropicRay]

You mean bring an empty suitcase?