Bamboo Shade House

[Really full garden]

Jeff, you have a lot going on in such a short time.My set up is much like yours except I have many non palm seedlings,cuttings etc.I am a plant whore.I am not exclusive to just one group.I had to put a fence around my shade house to keep the agoutis out(large guinea pig like mammals).They devoured palm seedlings.

It seems you have a kinder climate than mine.We last had rain at the beach on Oct.15 and here at the finca we had a brief shower Nov.28. I find during the dry season I have to keep water loving seedlings(Oncosperma,Mauritia)on saucers of water.Small pots can dry out really quickly.

                                                                              Scott

[ariscott]

(scottgt @ Dec. 13 2007,15:51)

QUOTE

My set up is much like yours except I have many non palm seedlings,cuttings etc.I am a plant whore.I am not exclusive to just one group.

And there is nothing wrong with that, Scott. Your shadehouse will probably look like mine - well, probably not as messy....  ::

Jeff,

It is worth to set up irrigation in the shadehouse for the dry season. As your no of pots growing, it will take longer to handwater everything. Trust me, I know...

Before my other half set up the irrigation, it used to take me 1 hour or more to water everything individually, and I don't have that many pots compared to some people. You still have to check the sprinklers every now and then to make sure that they don't clog up with ant heads, but that is about it.

I like your hills. My property is very much flat. Easier to plant, but less character... Oh well...

Regards, Ari

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

Well done Scott, Thanks for sharing, Thats a great

start, ,And what a spot, Excellent.

Regards Mikey.

[Morabeza]

....just adding to the chorus,

I think what you're doing is fantastic and everything looks so well grown

[Breadfruit Bill]

Jeff,

That shadehouse is awesome!  Thank you for sharing it with us!  I am completely diggin' the bamboo construction...  It is nature's perfect construction material...  I'm curious as to what is immediately around the shadehouse...  It looks well forested...  Is there any natural canopy above your nursery?

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

(Ray @ Tampa,Dec. 13 2007,06:48)

QUOTE

You mean bring an empty suitcase?

I won't tell anyone...   ::

[Jeff Searle]

(Jeff in Costa Rica @ Dec. 11 2007,16:08)

QUOTE

(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.

Jeff,

     Perfect, I now nominate you for the title of Presidente of the newly established Costa Rica chapter of the IPS.  Well....don't just stand there, start organizing, because in case you did'nt know, your hosting the 2008 Palm Biennial in Costa Rica. :laugh:

Jeff

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.  

Scott, although palms are my main interest, I also consider myself a plant whore.  I have bird of paradise, heliconias, gingers, a small avocado tree, a Cacao (chocolate) tree seedling, ornamental bananas, bromeliads, aroids and other plants in there also.  I pick up seeds all the time from anything that looks interesting.  Thanks for the warning on the agoutis, we have them all over the place.  So far they haven't seemed to discover my shade house or my seedlings!

Ari, Thanks for the irrigation tip!  I know it is something I must do.  It will make things so much easier.  And thanks, I love the hills around here, but even taking a leisurely walk can be a workout.  I guess it's a good thing though, I have developed muscles in my legs that I never knew existed!  Plus I've dropped 3 pant sizes in the past year.  And it's all due to the hilly terrain.

William, the area around the shade house is mostly forest leading down to the beach.  There are a few trees around the structure and that area of the shade house gets filtered light.  The other half gets full sun most of the day.  This is a hilltop clearing and is most likely going to be a homesite in the next year or two so the shade house is temporary and will have to be moved.  I'm hoping to have my own property by then and move it there.

Jeff,  Hopefully the best people to talk to about starting a Costa Rican chapter will be at the Biennial.  There are only a few of us that post on here from CR, but hopefully there are more people out there who would be interested.  I can't wait for the Biennial, it's only 5 months away!

[Chuck B]

Jeff,you've got some awesome stuff growing there.It looks like your lot has a few trees around to keep the wind down/If so those Piggies will really like that,and would be neat to see them reach toward their real potential.I really like that Iriartea also,very cool native.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Thanks Chuck, but it's not my lot.  I'm living on a 50 acre parcel that my friend and his business partners bought.  This property will be divided into lots eventually.  I do hope to buy myself some property here but I want to be inland a little, away from all the tourists.

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

I found the pictures of the two palms I collected seed from.  Can anyone identify these palms?

#1

I picked these seeds up near the Arenal volcano.

And here's a picture of the palms the seeds came from.  I know it's not a good pic.  It was getting dusk and the pic came out a little blurry.  

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

And here's the other one.  If anyone could id these, I would appreciate it.  I would like to get them labeled in the shadehouse.  

#2

I collected these seeds in front of a hotel near the Arenal volcano.  It is a clumping palm and was very yellowish from being in full sun.  

And the palm - the yellowish looking ones in the center of the pic.