Hi All,

In the book, Tropical and Subtropical Trees, An Encyclopedia, , there is a mention and picture of the Ficus pseudopalma or the Dracaena or Palm-leaf Fig.

Anyone grow these in SoCal? Anyone have any sources? The pic in the books is from Homestead, Florida.

Thanks!

David

This is a rather magnificient plant that I am suprised is not grown in more Subtropical locations.There are some outstanding specimens at Fruit and Spice in Homestead.

I have one that survived last years SoCal freeze. It was looking great but two weeks ago if started dying back from bud rot. Dropped all its leaves and I had to cut the stem back. I hope it comes back as it was not a cheap plant.

Rancho Soledad Nursery has them in San Diego.

RSN has them available by special order only it seems. Maybe I'll give a call. Anybody else growing them?

David

Found some at Rancho Soledad Nursery. BUt-none available. The Bronx Zoo had bought them all...

David

I bet Jerry brings in more this Spring/Summer. He has done this for the last two years. I am not sure mine will make it. So I need another and will plant it in a sunnier spot this time.

Here's one I took pics of at Fairchilds....

Wow! Great specimen that I have never seen at Fairchild. Where is it? Thank you.

(bubba @ Jan. 06 2008,20:58)

QUOTE

Wow! Great specimen that I have never seen at Fairchild. Where is it? Thank you.

Bubba,

     I would also like to see it growing in FTG. I wonder where it's at. It looks real interesting to me. Something I might want for my yard, if I can find one.

Jeff

Jeff, If you can't find it,I think we may all be out of luck!

There is actually 2 specimens I know of at FTBG; one along the front wall where the vine perogola and one in the Arboretum where other Ficus are.

Gbrace

Thee plants are all over the philippines, especially in the Laguna, Los Banos area. I wonder if you have a source for them over there.

Eric,I will open my eyes wider on my next visit.Thanks for the tip.Do you guys have any up at Leu?

No, don't have one yet but it is on my list to get and try here. It and F. dammaropsis were the 2 top Ficus I wanted. I got a F. dammaropsis but no F. pseudopalma yet. Any FL sources?

Here is the one by the perogola. It is along the fence near the old entrance.

(saipan,cnmi @ Jan. 07 2008,09:06)

QUOTE

Gbrace

Thee plants are all over the philippines, especially in the Laguna, Los Banos area. I wonder if you have a source for them over there.

That is where they are from.

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This plant cost me about $500!! I sure hope it comes back from bud rot this spring now that I know how hard they are to get.

Try Richard Lyons Nursery in Miami; 305-251-6293.  I bought one about six years ago for only $50.00.  It's about 15 feet tall now with three off-branches.  The plate in RLR's Tropical Look was also my inspiration, I could not rest until I located one.

No, don't have one yet but it is on my list to get and try here. It and F. dammaropsis were the 2 top Ficus I wanted. I got a F. dammaropsis but no F. pseudopalma yet. Any FL sources?

Eric,

Call Rick at Southeast Growers in West Palm Beach.  He has a lot of specialty trees and caters to botanical gardens and big time interiorscapes like malls and hotels.  I would need about $10K to fill my wish list as his place.

Jerry

How cold hardy is this ficus?

10a SoCal would be my guess. 9b FL? It is such a hard plant to get and usually not cheap, that not many try it.

i grow these, but on consignment only.  Ive been past richards place and i dont think he has any more, but give him a call anyway. If anyone is interested let me know, i normally get $100 to $200ea depending on size ( at least 2ft+ ).

As far as cold, it was 33 at my place and they dont seem to have any damage

Scott C.