Blog on New Arrivals of Palms, Cycads & Older Palm Tree, Cycad & Tropical Plant Blog for April-May, 2022

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PALM PRICES OR CYCAD PRICES SPECIALS AND SALES
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FRIDAY, 20 MAY, 2022

CARYOTA GIGAS
"THAI MOUNTAIN GIANT", "KING KONG PALM", "BLACK STEM FISHTAIL"

LIMITED AVAILABILITY
COMPARISON WITH CARYOTA URENS

This beautiful large palm from northern Thailand has been given a lot of common names. I'm showing you today some boxed size plants of this species in the first six photos below. So you may be able to recognize C. gigas, I thought I'd make a few points about this plant that you may not know and make some comparisons to Caryota urens:

•It has an extremely thick fat trunk that can get up to three feet wide (see last photo). This is much thicker than C. urens.
•Trunk height in Southern California is hardly ever over 35 feet, less than most of us expected. C. urens can get over 60 feet with ease.
• It appears to tolerate full sun better than C. urens. By this I mean it has less brown tipping on the leaflets
• It appears to have a shorter life span than expected, often blossoming in less than 15 years. This is less than C. urens.
• It has very wide and long leaves, up to fifteen feet in length and provides good shade underneath. Caryota urens' leaves are smaller but still quite large.
• It is not as cold hardy as C. urens and will burn in the low 20's F. But, most plants will survive and return from temperatures of 20 degrees F.
• It is quick growing but does not put on vertical height as fast as Caryota urens.
• If your plant doesn't look good, it's probably from your lack of giving it adequate water (if there's no cold burn)
• It is the most popular Fishtail Palm presently. In the past, before this species introduction, C. urens was the most popular. I think people really like the leaves and leaflet shape..

We have intermittent availability of both these two types of Fishtail Palms. There is an industry-wide shortage of them. Hopefully it'll get better over time. The 7th photo below is a boxed C. urens.

COCONUT QUEEN PALM
DESIRABLE SYAGRUS HYBRID
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WHEN MATURE

SYAGRUS ROMANZOFFIANA X SCHIZOPHYLLA
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE BOXED PLANTS

This interesting hybrid originated in Thailand by a grower and propagator of rare palms. It is a cross between the common Queen Palm and an unusual type of palm from the same genus, Syagrus schizophylla. The offspring have proven to be quite beautiful and have good cold tolerance. These will be a medium to large palm. The trunk will be thinner than the normal Queen and the overall size will be less. The attached photos of mature plants show how pretty it is. Note that they do not resemble what we all know as the Queen Palm. Some say they seem more to resemble a Coconut Palm.

This is a very rare hybrid to come across. We’re putting huge 24 inch boxes on sale. They are about 12 feet tall in their box. This hybrid likes full sun, is a medium rate grower and has a cold hardiness estimated to be in the low 20's F.

REGULAR PRICE 24 INCH BOX $750
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $675

This is probably one of the last times we’ll offer this rare hybrid in this large size for sale. We only have a few left.

CHAMAEDOREA RADICALIS
TRUE TRUNK-LESS, DWARF FORM

NEVER GETS OVER SIX FEET TALL
SHADE PALM - QUITE COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL MATURE 7 & 15 GALLON SIZE
Previously I discussed the trunking form of this species. What I'm showing today is the true dwarf form that never forms a trunk and never gets over six feet tall. It is native to Mexico. It grows in filtered light but can tolerate some sun along the coast. Compared to the trunking form, you'll note the leaflets are darker green and wider. Blossoms often protrude above the leaves when it's in flower. Cold hardiness is the upper teens F. It grows great in cooler areas like the SF Bay area. We have a few 15g which we're putting on sale. These are mature, flowering palms.

REGULAR PRICE 7 & 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL BOTH THESE SIZES $185

WODYETIA BIFURCATA
THE FOXTAIL PALM

LIKES SUN & HEAT - NOT TOO TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL SQUAT 15G SIZE

The Foxtail Palm, Wodyetia bifuracata, is native to Queensland, Australia and is a single trunk palm. In Southern CA it gets to about twenty-two to twenty-five feet height, has fluffy plumose leaves, is crown shafted as shown below and is single trunk. It loves heat and sun. The trunk is thin, ringed and has a silver-green crown shaft. It’s very attractive. It is best grown in full sun in most areas and has a cold tolerance of about 22 degrees F. Right on the oceanfront you may see brown tipping of the leaflets. People like this palm because it doesn’t get too tall and is easy to care for. We have limited numbers of this size available. They are about six to seven feet tall in their pots.

REGULAR PRICE THESE SQUAT 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $200

The garden photos below were taken in Poway, CA

ARENGA ENGLERI
THE DWARF SUGAR PALM

SEMI-DWARF SUCKERING PALM
VERY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This interesting Asian species rarely gets over ten feet tall, suckers, has Caryota type leaflets with jagged ends and is silver on the underside of the leaflets. Its blossoms are super fragrant (a nice treat). It takes sun or shade in coastal areas and is cold hardy into the upper teens F. On sale are nice 15 gallon plants that are very good size. (first six photos). Also shown below are a few garden plants.

REGULAR PRICE BAND 15 GALLON $245 (NICELY SIZED)
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE $210

But, mention this Special to get this price. Easy to mail order.

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX
A SEMI-DWARF TYPE OF BAMBOO PALM

GET UP TO ABOUT 8 FEET - SUCKERING SPECIES
COLD HARDY INTO THE UPPER TEENS F.
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This type of Bamboo Palm is known for several things. First, it is one of the shorter true suckering and pinnate types of Chamaedorea. It gets to a mature height of about 8 feet. It is a great patio plant or can be grown inside quite easily. It is also one of the more cold hardy types of Chamaedorea, only being beat out by C. radicalis. It'll go down to about 20 degrees F. or a bit lower. Leaf color is green and sometimes there are hints of blue, a blue iridescence or even blue leaflet backs on this species. Fruits are numerous and red in color. Trunks are very thin. I'd recommend filtered light for this species although some have grown in in coastal sun. Of note, it's one of the more cold hardy Bamboo Palms around. The 15 gallon size are fruiting size and on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON SIZE $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $195

But, you must mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase to get your discount.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA
LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

GREEN LEAVES – STATELY TRUNK AND CROWN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

By popular demand I have put this great palm on special. This is the largest of the King Palm family. It got its name "maxima" by the flower size, but most have found it to be an aggressive grower, have a larger trunk and get taller than the other species of King Palms. It does have silver on the underside of the leaves. The crown shaft is sort of a yellow, sometimes blue color. It is a quick growing pinnate palm native to Australia. It's rare to see them available and also hard to find good photos of this species. The plants I'm putting on special are the 5 gallon size, mostly singles. It tolerates full coastal sun and is cold hardy into the mid-twenties F. Another interesting thing is that sometimes they’ll throw a new red leaf as shown in one photo below.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

Of note, our Archontophoenix "teracarpa" is probably a larger King Palm than A. maxima but still escapes exact species identification. It does not have silver undersides to the leaflets and has a blue crown shaft. It is routinely discussed elsewhere at this Blog. The habitat photo is by Luke Nancarrow AU.

CHAMAEDOREA OREOPHILA
RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

TOLERATES SOME SUN - FAIRLY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL FIVE GALLON PLANTS
This is a great palm for Southern CA and other areas that may see winter colds into the mid-twenties F. It is native to southwestern Mexico at high elevations to 4500 feet. It tolerates bright filtered light or, along the coast, some degree of sun. It is single trunked with a modified crown shaft and somewhat short green leaves. It resembles a Chamaedorea elegans on steroids - taller, thicker trunk and longer leaves. Trunks are about an inch thick and ringed. In filtered light trunks remain green. Mature height is about ten feet. This is an extremely difficult species to find. Masture plant photos are c/o Palmpedia.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $100

Remember to Mention this Special!

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA
A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

ONE OF THE BEST INTERIOR PALMS
GREAT FILTERED LIGHT GARDEN PLANT AS WELL
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON PLANTS

I haven't been able to offer smaller sizes of this superior fan palm as they have not been available for over five years. But, we do presently have some nice 5 gallon plants that we have decided to sell. This is a very rare type of Lady Palm. This species is from China and is often mistaken for Rhapis humilus. But, it is a smaller species, getting to about 8 feet tall whereas humilus gets about twice as tall. It performs well inside the home or office and also is quite easy to grow outside in filtered light. The stems of multifida are much more attractive than the common Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa. It also carries more leaflets per leaf than the Lady Palm and is overall a more attractive plant. The leaflets are narrow and come to a point like Rhapis humilus. Side by side, the majority of our customers prefer the Rhapis multifida over the Rhapis excelsa.

Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties or lower, F. Outdoors, this species prefers filtered light. One must be careful not to give Rhapis too much fertilizer or leaf burn may occur. We have a handful only of nice 5 gallon plants that we’re putting on special.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

The sale plant is shown in the first 7 photos.

CHAMAEDOREA PLUMOSA
THE BABY QUEEN PALM

SEVERAL PLANTS PER POT
LOOK BEST IN GROUPS
TEN DAY SPECIAL SINGLE 5 GALLON SIZE
For anyone who's looked for this species lately, you realize it's in very short supply and essentially unavailable in larger sizes. This is because of a several year shortage of seeds. We are pleased to presently put nice single stem 5 gallon plants on special. Plant heights are about 4 feet in the pot. This species gets up to about 14 feet height with a green, ringed trunk about 1.5 inches in diameter. The leaves are plumose or fluffy. They are quick growing and perfect for narrow planter areas. It will take full coastal sun. Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties F. It can also be used as a houseplant in a bright area. These plants in this size pot are quite shippable. We also have multiple (several in one pot) if desired at the same price.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 5 GALLON SINGLES $100

Mention this Blog Special for your discount at the time of purchase.

BUTIA PARAGUAYENSIS
BLUE-GREEN BUTIA FROM SOUTH AMERICA

ARCHING LEAVES – MEDIUM HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This species is interesting because, in the wild, it is known as a dwarf species that forms minimal trunk. But, when it is grown domestically, it forms a trunk about the size of Butia capitata. It, as you'd guess, comes from Paraguay, with habitat extending into Brazil and northern Argentina. The color is a blue-green, not as silver as Butia capitata. The leaves are strongly arched as shown. It is a full sun plant with cold hardiness into the teens F. We haven’t had them available for a few years. We are now offering 5 gallon plants on sale that are about 4 years old. Culture includes full sun and good draining soil. Cold hardiness is into the teens F. I am also showing a photo of a 15g plant from the nursery that is no longer available. The habitat photo is by TS at RPS

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $85

KENTIOPSIS PYRIFORMIS
SUPER RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

NATIVE TO NEW CALEDONIA
THIN TRUNK - VERY ELEGANT
TEN DAY SPECIAL VERY NICE BAND SIZE PLANTS

This is a single trunk, crown shafted pinnate palm native to New Caledonia. Many feel it's the prettiest species of this genus. It gets to a height of about 40 feet or more and has a thin trunk. Leaves are upright, green and arched. They are keeled and green in color. The crown shaft is a copper color, covered with a white wax. It can be grown in some sun, depending on where you live. It's probably best to start it in bright filtered light and let it work its way into overhead sun. Growth rate is good, comparable or faster than K. oliviformis. Cold tolerance is down to about a freeze.

This is an extremely difficult species to find for sale nowadays. I only have an excellent selection of large band sized plants. This is an extremely rare species and we rarely have them for sale.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $50

Remember to mention this Blog Special when you purchase to get this discount. Photos of large plant below by TS at RPS.

CARYOTA URENS
THE GIANT MOUNTAIN FISHTAIL
FAST GROWING - SUPER TALL

NOT AVAILABLE FOR YEARS
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE SEEDLINGS

Caryota urens is a tall single trunk monocarpic palm species native to Asia. It is fast growing and can get to a height of 70 feet. It is definitely a canopy-forming palm species. Leaves a green and leaflets are premorse (jagged at their ends). Some people love the grandeur of these palms. Trunks are tan, ringed and about 16 inches diameter on average. It will get taller and more quickly get there than almost any other palm in your garden. They want full sun and, especially if inland, plenty of water. Because they are monocarpic (flower and then die), one needs a plant that is near death to get seeds. This occurs rarely. We were able to germinate seeds from such a plant. I’ve not had seedlings for six to eight years. They are on their first leaf and can be mail ordered within the U.S. easily.

TEN DAY SPECIAL SEEDLING CARYOTA URENS $45

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
A BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

NO SPINES ON THE LEAFLETS
TEN DAY SPECIAL: BAND SIZE

This is a popular blue cycad from the Eastern Cape area of South Africa. I say this because some people don't like spines and prickles. The leaflets of this species are narrow with only a point at the end. The leaves and crown are very neat and uniform. The nearest species to this one is Encephalartos princeps. Trunks can get to five feet, but one with two to three feet of trunk is very old. Leaves average about four feet long and are sometimes strongly curled. On occasion, they'll almost do a 180 or more degree re-curve. Leaf color in sun is intensely blue like E. horridus. But, you'll only see this color with full, hot sun. In shade or inside a greenhouse they are often green. Cold hardiness is about 21 to 22 degrees F. In the desert only give it a few hours sun. Next to Encephalartos horridus, this is the second most popular cycad we grow.

Shown below are the band size which we're putting on sale. Plants have three, sometimes four leaves and are at least 3 years old. These are a piece of cake to ship, but only within the U.S. Be aware that we have limited numbers and are repotting them into cit pots / 5 gallon presently and these won't be ready until next summer.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $70 (OLDER BANDS)
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $60

Remember: Mention this Blog Only Special when you purchase.

LEPIDOZAMIA HOPEI
LEPIDOZAMIA SPECIES WITH WIDER LEAFLETS

MAKES A TALL TREE OVER A CENTURY
FAIRLY RARE AND HARD TO FIND
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT SIZE

This species of cycad gets enormous! I mean really tall. There are specimens with heights to almost 60 feet. Leaves are six to ten feet long. Leaflets are soft and without spines or armor.
For this reason, it is felt to be a very user friendly cycad. But, you must give it adequate room to grow. Compared to the Lepidozamia peroffskyana, the hopei leaflets are wider. It's quite noticeable when you compare the two side by side. This is the best way to tell them apart when they are young. Culturally, it is quite similar to L. peroffskyana, preferring some sun but not full sun in most areas. Far inland it may do better with filtered light. In terms of rarity, you don't see this species for sale that often. Cold hardiness is into the mid to lower 20's F. We're putting citrus pot size on sale with caudexes of 4 to 5 inches. These can be mail ordered.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE CITRUS POT $500

TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT THIS SIZE $400

Our regular price is $125 per inch caudex. These can be mail ordered. We only have a few left and predict they'll not be available in the future as no seeds have been available for years.

DIOON EDULE
SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED MEXICAN CYCAD

VERY COLD HARDY – LOVES FULL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON PLANT

Dioon edule is a typically small to medium sized sun-loving cycad from Mexico. There are known to be about six different varieties of this species - all from different localities. Leaves are typically green to blue green. Leaflets at pointed at the end and otherwise un-armed. Dioon edule is one of the few cycads that tolerates hot direct desert sun. The Sago Palm can't claim this ability. Cold tolerance is excellent, being able to take cold weather into the teens F. The plant on special here is in a 15 gallon container, grown from seed and has a 5 inch caudex. It can be mail ordered in a big box.

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL CYCAD $400
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL CYCAD $325

Remember to mention this Special for your discount when you purchase. Mail order possible

DICKSONIA ANTARCTICA
THE TASMANIAN TREE FERN

FAIRLY COLD HARDY, THINNER TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 5G SIZE

This typically single trunk tree fern is native to Southeastern Australia and Tasmania. It is much slower growing than the Australian Tree Fern above and has a mature height typically of 8 to 10 feet although they can get even taller. Trunks are a similar diameter to the Australian Tree Fern. Of note, apparently the lower trunk is filled with old, decaying trunk material and new roots grow through this material to get water and nutrition. Cuttings of the top of the trunk can be re-established and root out. This plant likes a bit of sun or filtered light and also loves water. Cold tolerance is 25 degrees F. or lower. The 5g on sale here are very nice as shown.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $75
TEN DAYS SPECIAL THIS SIZE $65

Remember: Mention this Blog Special for your discount.

AUSTRALIAN TREE FERN
CYATHEA COOPERI

FAST GROWING, CAN GET TALLER
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

The Australian Tree Fern in native to several areas on the eastern side of Australia. It is a faster growing tree fern that can get to a height of over forty feet. The two photos from my garden in San Diego show potential height. I have several with twenty-five feet of trunk. I'm about 8 miles from the ocean and they take my sun fairly well. Trunks can get up to twelve inches thick although most are more thin. This species is a bigger alternative to the Tasmanian Tree Fern and has a thicker trunk and longer leaves. It tolerates coastal sun or part day sun. It is cold hardy into the upper twenties or lower. It’s fairly fast growing and one just needs to keep up on the water. If it goes downhill it’s almost always lack of water. Otherwise it’s quite easy to grow.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G $165

Mention this special when you purchase.

DICHORISANDRA THYRIFLORA
THE BLUE GINGER - HARD TO FIND

FIVE TO SIX FEET TALL – BLUE BLOSSOMS
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE AND SEVEN GALLON PLANTS

This is actually not a true Ginger at all. It is native to all areas of the new world including the U.S. It produces actual blue flowers. We have a limited number of one and seven gallon plants. They are quite nice and we're putting them on special. They are in very limited numbers. When these are gone, there may be no more until next year. This species wants filtered light in a warmer coastal area. In fact, some along the coast succeed with several hours of morning sun. They are late blooming compared to almost all other “Gingers”. They tend to blossom in fall. In somewhat colder regions, they may need protection from a freeze. They do sucker and canes are thin. Expect mature height at about five feet. This plant is not for full, hot sun. They need average water – backing off when it’s cold.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON $45
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $35

REGULAR PRICE SEVEN GALLON $165
TEN DAY SPECIAL SEVEN GALLON $140 - WHEN AVAILABLE

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special when purchasing.
The one gallon are shown in the first four photos. Beginning with the 5th photo are shown the 7 gallon size. The 7g size are nearly sold out. The last row of photos are random stock photos of this species.

ENSETE MAURELII
ACTUAL RED BANANA - VERY PRETTY PLANT

MEDIUM SIZE MATURE WITH RED LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

The Red Banana is an ideal landscape item for color and beauty. They have a definite and prominent red color to the leaf stems, trunk and backs of the leaves. The dorsal leaf also shows a flush of red. Mature size is about ten feet but sometimes a bit more or less. Basal diameter at maturity is 12 to 16 inches. Be aware they are fast growing but only last five or six years before flowering and dying. But, if you replace the plant, they quickly offer a good sized plant to replace the last one. They do not bear fruit, like full sun and are cold tolerant down to about a freeze. The garden photo is by Linda Cochran. This is a great colorful companion plant. I've not had nice 5g like these for quite a while.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE $65

WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY, 2022

CHAMAEDOREA CATARACTARUM
THE CAT PALM

A SEMI-DWARF CLUSTERING PALM
DOES BEST IN LESS THAN FULL SUN
GETS TO SIX FEET TALL

This species of palm has been sold under the name "Cat Palm", which is an abreviation for "cataractarum". For Chamaedoreas and in the past, it was fairly easy to find. Nowadays it's very difficult to find, especially with mature size as shown here. It is a clustering palm that gets six feet tall. It really doesn't form any trunk. It likes water as it has a native habitat near river beds. It is cold hardy into the mid 20's F. and I'd recommend, at most, a few hours of sun or filtered light. It is native to the southern areas of Mexico and possibly into areas of Central America. With less than adequate water it tends to look scrappy. At the nursery, we offer mostly large plants, either 10 or 15 gallon size. They typically are suckering with a near mature height.

DIOON SPINULOSUM
A CUSTOMER FAVORITE CYCAD

GREEN LEAVES, ELEGANT
LOTS OF SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM

Although you can't tell from the photos here, this cycad species can get quite tall. I've seen photos from habitat with what appears to be over 20 feet of trunk. Dioon spinulosum is native to tropical areas in Mexico where it grows in limestone forests. Trunks don't get overly thick, typically 12 to 14 inches thick. With age, this can be more. Leaves are green and mildly armed. Leaf length is about six feet. My preference is to grow this species in filtered light. Cold tolerance is into the mid twenties F. Be aware, to get a foot or two of trunk can take a few decades. At the nursery we usually have a good selection of this species from small to large. Photos below shown some nursery plants as well as plants in gardens.

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA
A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

ONE OF THE BEST PALMS FOR INSIDE
GREAT GARDEN PLANT AS WELL
TEN DAY SPECIAL OLD 25 GALLON PLANT

I haven't been able to offer this superior fan palm as they have not been available for over five years. But, we do have one or two very old plants that we were holding in stock and have decided to sell. This is a very rare type of Lady Palm. This species is from China and is often mistaken for Rhapis humilus. But, it is a smaller species, getting to about 8 feet tall whereas humilus gets about twice as tall. It performs well inside the home or office and also is quite easy to grow outside in filtered light. The stems of multifida are much more attractive than the common Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa. It also carries more leaflets per leaf than the Lady Palm and is overall a more attractive plant. The leaflets are narrow and come to a point like Rhapis humilus. Side by side, the majority of our customers prefer the Rhapis multifida to the Rhapis excelsa.

Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties or lower, F. Outdoors, this species prefers filtered light. One must be careful not to give Rhapis too much fertilizer or leaf burn may occur. We have a near twenty year old 25 gallon that we’re putting on special. It is too big for standard mail order. BTW, if you start looking for a comparable plant, the chances are you won't find one.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 25 GALLON $575

The sale plant is shown in the first 6 photos.

CHAMAEDOREA GLAUCIFOLIA
SUPER SIMILAR TO C. PLUMOSA

TAKES A FAIR AMOUNT OF SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

From time to time I discuss this interesting single trunk Chamaedorea. It is very similar to Chamaedorea plumosa - except: The plumosa has a more plumose leaf and takes a little more sun. But, the glaucifolia has the silver powder on the leaf stems and crown shaft as shown here. This is quite attractive and typically very prominent. Otherwise, you would mistake the two. They are fast growing and get to a mature height of about 14 feet. They look their best when planted in colonies of three to five plants. It takes almost full sun on the coast and is a durable species and seem exempt from fungal problems that can plague C. plumosa. Cold hardiness is about 25 degrees F.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G $195

Mention this Special for your discount when you purchase.

CYPHOPHOENIX ELEGANS
BEAUTIFUL SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM NEW CALEDONIA

ARCHING GREEN LEAVES, CROWN SHAFT, SUPER ATTRACTIVE
TEN DAY SPECIAL1 15 GALLON SIZE

This species is from the northern part of the island of New Caledonia. It gets to a height of 20 to 25 feet in many years and has a green to silver, slightly swollen crown shaft. The trunk is thin, about 4 to 6 inches thick. The leaves are about six feet long and arch at their ends. A sister species, Cyphophoenix nucele, has stiffer, more upright leaves compared to this species. Another important difference between these two is that the leaves of C. elegans are keeled whereas the leaves of nucele are more flat. This species can take full sun right on the coast but most give it part day sun, especially in inland areas. Cold tolerance is down to the mid-twenties F. We’re putting 15g plants on special. Of note, this is a very rare species and hard to find for sale.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $220

Please mention this Special at the time of purchase.

DICTYOSPERMA ALBUM VAR RUBRUM
PRINCESS PALM, HURRICANE PALM

MEDIUM HEIGHT - CROWN SHAFT – THIN TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This is a somewhat rare, collector type of palm that would be attractive in almost any coastal or near-coastal garden. Native to the Mascarene Islands, this thin trunked, crown shafted palm gets to a height of about 25 feet. This variety is called "rubrum" because of the red color that is present on the stems. One photo shows this below. The leaves are green, arching and without any spines. Growth rate is medium. This is a coastal sun or part day sun species with a cold tolerance in the upper twenties F. I've had one in my garden for years in San Diego.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $195

Just mention this Blog Special when ordering to get this price.

LIVISTONA MUELLERI
RARE AUSTRALIAN FAN PALM

GRAY - GREEN LEAVES, MEDIUM SIZE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This medium sized single trunk fan palm is native to Australia. The trunk is adorned with old leaf bases that fall off over time. Leaf color is blue - gray / green. The petioles are armed and the flowers are prominently maroon. It's very attractive. It is a full sun species with good cold tolerance - probably into the upper teens or for sure lower 20's F. Growth rate is slow to medium. The plant shown here is over ten years old. It's near impossible to find on of this size for sale.

REGULAR PRICE OLD 15 GALLON $235
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $205

We only have a few available.

LIVISTONA SARIBUS
LARGE, DARK & HOOKED SPINES

MEDIUM TO TALL FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

This medium to tall fan palm is native to southeast Asia. It can get to heights of thirty-five feet or more. It is an interesting palm that is easy to grow and has a very ornamental leaf with deep divisions of the segments. Its leaf segments almost make a complete circle. Leaf color is green. The spines on the petioles tend to be dark in color and dramatic, usually the thing most people remember most about this species. Another interesting thing is that the seed fruit is blue in color as shown below. It is a sun species and cold hardy into the mid to low-twenties. The 15g on sale are nicely sized. Shipping is possible in a large box. The last photo is by John Volk.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G $195

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

A DEFINITE STATEMENT PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL GOOD SIZED 5 GALLON PLANTS

For several decades we've been growing this stunning blue fan palm from Madagascar. These are the blue form. This palm species loves sun, heat and is cold hardy to the low 20’s F. It doesn’t like the grower to fool with or cut its roots. These cannot be transplanted once established in the garden. They get a husky trunk and probably about 40 feet tall in many decades. This is a very attractive palm and should be given room in the garden to show it off. Many people in desert locations have found they can grow it. Shown below is our 5 gallon size. This is a great starting size.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $100

Remember: Mention this Special for this price. This size is easy to mail order.

CHAMAEDOREA KLOTZSCHIANA
**SINGLE TRUNK MEXICAN *CHAMAEDOREA***

THIN TRUNKED, GROUPED LEAFLETS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON MULTIPLES

This single trunk, shade loving palm is from the Veracruz area of Mexico and named after a German botanist, Johann Klotzsch. The plant shown here has reached its mature height of twelve feet. It has a prominently ringed but narrow green trunk. The most remarkable characteristic of this species is the grouping of leaflets along the rachis. These groups are irregularly spaced. Also note how they leaflets are held at different angles from the rachis. Leaflets are a dark green, small to medium in length, wide and a bit puffy. It's this grouping of leaflets that allows you to ID this species. Another surprising this is how hard it is to find this species. When I started my nursery 42 years ago, I had lots of these and seeds were available. Nowadays you can't find seeds to save your soul. This is a shade loving species and cold hardy into the mid-twenties F. At best perhaps it'd take down to about 25 degrees. These plants should probably work fine as a house plant and are shippable in a good sized box.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON MULTIPLES $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON MULTIPLES $95

PRITCHARDIA MARTII
HAWAIIAN FAN PALM

MEDIUM SIZE - RUSTY UNDERSIDE TO LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This Hawaiian Fan Palm is native to the island of Oahu in HI and typically gets to a height of ten to fifteen feet in Southern CA but can attain heights to thirty feet in habitat. It is a single trunk palm with a trunk diameter of about a foot. Leaves are green and rather flat. Their underside has a rusty brown or copper color secondary to tomentum hairs. It tolerates full sun along the coast. Far inland areas should give it limited sun. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F. It is a somewhat difficult species to find. The 5g we're putting on special are not overly large but nice. These can be mail ordered, weather permitting.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE $95

Note; Our 5g are larger presently than shown here.

COPERNICIA PRUNIFERA
THE CARNAUBA WAX PALM

WATER CONSERVING - LOVES HEAT AND SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This species is native to Brazil and is a single trunk fan palm with a not too large crown of leaves that are green in color. Sometimes they'll be blue-green. Overall height can get over fifty feet but it’s more common to see them shorter. Old leaf bases can be adherent to the trunk as a petticoat as shown in a photo below. Economically, the leaves of this species produce a wax that makes carnauba wax. The latter is marketed for various usages including car and shoe wax. This palm wants heat and sun and is cold hardy to at least the lower 20's F. We are offering our 5g plants on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $85

Remember, mention this Special!

CHAMAEDOREA COSTARICANA
ONE OF THE BEST BAMBOO PALMS

EASY TO GROW - A GREAT INTERIOR PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE BAND SIZE

This suckering palm species is native to Mexico and Central America. It is one of about four types of "Bamboo Palms" and is probably either the best or in a stiff competition with Chamaedorea hooperiana. This species gets to a mature height of twelve to sixteen feet, has strong 1 inch to 1.5 inch trunks which are green in color with prominent rings, and about three to four foot long leaves. It is an upright grower and does clump. It doesn't run. It takes filtered light or morning sun along the coast. I've even heard of some growing it in full sun although I'd not recommend it. It is a good growing species. Cold hardiness is into the mid to lower 20's F.

Below I'm showing in the first six photos our band size plants. They are very nicely sized and ready for repotting. This size can be mail ordered no problem.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $47.50

Remember: Mention this Special for this Blog Only discounted price. The 7th photo is c/o TS at RPS.

DYPSIS DECARYI
THE TRIANGLE PALM

MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT
THREE SIDED CROWN SHAFT – LOVES HOT SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE BAND SIZED PLANTS

This Madagascar palm is known as the "Triangle Palm" because the crown shaft has three flat sides. It gets to a mature height of about 22 feet in 3 decades. It loves heat and sun. Leaves are a gray-green color and there is prominent speckling in the inner crown with dark colors. It is slow growing. It has a cold tolerance of about 24 degrees F. Be aware that this palm doesn’t do well in shade and doesn’t want to be shaded out by overhead trees. The band sized seedlings are quite large for their pots and need to be repotted into a 5 gallon container. Easy to mail order.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $45

Mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase. We also have 5g, 15g and 25g plants available

ZAMIA FURFURACEA
THE CARDBOARD CYCAD
COMPACT GREEN DWARF CYCAD WITH NO SPINES

TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 5G PLANTS

This popular dwarf cycad is from Mexico and rarely gets over four feet tall. Plants do cluster and form low profile clumps. Stems can get typically to about 12 inches although taller stems are seen in the wild. Leaves are almost always under 36 inches long with a plant height rarely over about five feet. Leaflets are wide, short and have no spines or armor. This is a very user-friendly plant. It tolerates full sun along the coast and needs filtered light in the desert. Cold hardiness is into the low 20's F, perhaps a bit lower.

We're offering here 5 gallon plants on Special. They have caudexes of 3 to 4 inches. They are nice plants for starting in the garden. We do have larger plants that are not on sale right now. These 5g size can easily be shipped right in their pots.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 5G PLANTS $175
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $150

You must mention this Blog only special when purchasing to get this price.

ENCEPHALARTOS PAUCIDENTATUS
MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

UPRIGHT GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL GOOD SIZED 15G CYCAD

This rare cycad is native to Swaziland, northern South Africa. It is known as one of the most attractive of all the green cycads. It does great in Southern California but is rare and hard to find. New leaves tend to be upright. Most pronounced is the "frost" appearance of leaves as shown below. This is from small hairs on the leaflets. Compared to other cycads leaflets are fairly thin – and they carry spines. It makes a medium to large mature specimen. Mature size can be over fifteen feet with 6 to 10 foot green leaves. Along the coast it’ll take full sun. Far inland I’d recommend limited sun. Cold tolerance is down to the low 20’s F. The plant on Special is in a 15g pot and has an 8 inch caudex.

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON CYCAD $1280
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL PLANT $880

Below I'm showing photos of a large specimen at the nursery. We have another of this species in a 25g pot and a few seedlings.

CYCAS PECTINATA
TALL GREEN ASIAN CYCAD

SOME COLD HARDINESS
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT SIZE

This is the tallest species of the genus Cycas with reports from habitat of plants over forty feet tall. It has a wide distribution spreading from India throughout southeast Asia and into China. Trunks are medium diameter with swelling at the base. Leaves are green, 4 to 6 feet long with small armor on the leaf stems. The appearance of a well grown plant is a lush tropical cycad. It'll take coastal sun or part day interior sun. Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties F. or a bit lower. It is one of the more cold tolerant plants of the genus. We're offering citrus pot size plants on a Ten Day Special. Caudex sizes are 4 to 5 inches.

TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POTS THIS SIZE $250

Note the last 2 photos are of a nursery plant.

CYCAS GUIZHOUENSIS
RARE SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED CHINESE CYCAD

GREEN UPRIGHT LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE ONE GALLON PLANTS

This small to medium sized exotic cycad is from southwestern China. Only in the past 20 years has this species been available in the U.S. It has green upright leaves and can develop a trunk about three feet tall. Leaves are green and leaflets narrow and shiny. Sometimes you’ll see the leaflets twisted on their axis. It comes from elevations of 1000 to 1500 feet or more and has potential to have reasonable cold hardiness, at least into the mid and possibly low 20’s F. The crown width is about eight feet across with leaf lengths of three to five feet. At the nursery it seems to grow quite well. We’re putting nice one gallon plants on special. Caudexes are about 2 inches. The eighth photo, by George Yao at PACSOA, shows a plant in full sun although growers may get away with part day sun as well.

REGULAR PRICE THESE ONE GALLON PLANTS $115
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE ONE GALLON $95

Remember to mention this Blog Special at the time of purchase. The last photo shows our 5 gallon size.

PHILODENDRON SELLOUM
AKA PHILODEDRON BIPINNATIFIDUM

GIANT SPLIT LEAF PHILODENDRON
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 & 15 GALLON SIZE

Throughout my career, I've always known this plant as Philodendron selloum. The same is true for most nurserymen. But, when researching it, I've found lots of other names and even genera used to taxonomically identify this species. So, keeping it simple, I'll not go there but rather say that this is a large leaf Philodendron that can climb up a tree trunk or stand alone all by itself. It is native to South America. It can grow in coastal sun or in the shade. It's got a trunk that is usually six inches thick or less and puts out thick hanging roots that assist in grabbing anything to support the crown. Leaves are green, heavily divided and can be four feet long and three feet wide. Leaves are not as large as the much more rare Philodendron evansii. Selloum is easy to grow. We're offering nicely sized 5 & 15 gallon on sale. The 15g size is shown in the last photo. The rest of the nursery plants are 5g.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $70

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $175
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $150

ALOCASIA WENTII
SEMI-DWARF TROPICAL ELEPHANT EAR PLANT

PURPLE UNDERSIDE TO LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 7 GALLON PLANTS

This is a species of Elephant Ear Alocasia. Some feel it comes from the island of New Guinea but others feel that it is a hybrid of unknown origin. The reason I mention it is because it is known to be quite cold hardy, perhaps even adaptable to growing zone 7B. It is a small plant, typically under 3 feet. The leaves are smaller than many other Elephant Ear Plants. The dorsal side of the leaves are green (sometimes black-green) while the underside is purple-black. It prefers to stay dry in the winter when cold and likes filtered light. It is a nice companion plant for any garden. Cold tolerance is easily into the upper twenties F. Shown below are 7 gallon plants that are on Special.

REGULAR PRICE 7 GALLON THIS SPECIES $150
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $135

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special when you purchase.

REX BEGONIA - FIREWOMAN
UNUSUAL MULTI-COLORED LEAVES

NICE COMPANION PLANT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 GALLON SIZE

Begonia are a very large class of plants, sometimes used in the garden and patio but also as houseplants. There are about 1500 different species or hybrids. This particular variety – Rex Begonia Firewoman - is different and very colorfu. Leaves show prominent pink/red color with silver and purple bands. But they are not the easiest Begonia to grow. Leaves have a crinkled texture. They like filtered light with soil that is slightly damp but not soggy. It’s usually said that this species is for zones 10 and 11. We’ve found they can go down to almost a freeze. These plants have will have smaller pink blossoms in summer.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 GALLON $25

Mention this Special for your discount

VARIEGATED ZINGIBER ZERUMBET
RED BLOSSOM AWAPUHI SHAPOO GINGER

RARE UPRIGHT RED CONE LIKE BLOSSOM
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

The Awapuhi Shampoo Ginger is native to Hawaii and is a perennial clumping Ginger that typically grows in filtered light and can go dormant in winter. Leaves or typically green but we're offering the variegated form of this plant. Mature height is about five feet. In the spring its dormancy ends and it usually comes back strong. The variegation of this variety runs longitudinally along the leaf. When flowering, the cones start of green and, when mature, turn red. If ou squeeze a cone it gives off sap which can be used as a shampoo. Thus, the common name of this plant. It does poorly in areas with hard freezes.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON $50
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $42.50

The photo of the blossom is by the Survival Gardener Website. This is a rare Ginger to locate.

BILBERGIA CLUSTERS WITH CASCADING PINK BLOSSOMS
IN BLOSSOM RIGHT NOW

GREEN LEAVES - SUN TOLERANT
LARGE CLUSTERS ON TEN DAY SPECIAL

This bromeliad genus is known for it's dependent and large pink blossoms. The leaves on this species are green forming a tubular plant. The blossoms are 18 inches long, cascading and pink in color with blue flower parts showing below. They are very durable and easy to grow. They want at least some sun but can be grown in the sun. They want overhead watering. These clusters each have five to ten individual plants in the pots.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE LARGE CLUSTERS $75

MONDAY, 16 MAY, 2022

BEST CYCAD SPECIES FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

AND MANY OTHER STATES
EASY TO READ
LOTS OF SPECIES & PICTURES

COVERS MOST OF THE SOUGHT-AFTER SPECIES
CULTURAL INFORMATION INCLUDED

Click on banner to right to read

READ CYCADS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Encephalartos princeps	Encephalartos arenarius
Macrozamia communis	Cycas panzhihuaensis

DINING IN THE GARDEN
WHAT'S NICER THAN EATING OUTSIDE

MEMORIES OF MARDI DARIAN

Now deceased and long time friend of mine, Mardi Darian of Vista, California would entertain friends and visitors at an outdoor dining area behind his house. This garden dining location was enchanting and beautiful. Nestled right among towering palms and tropical plants, one could take in the panoramic view of the garden while enjoying a fine meal. All of us should be so lucky. Mardi really had a great eye for garden design. He passed away in August, 2015 and has been missed by many plant enthusiasts.

DYPSIS DECARYI
THE TRIANGLE PALM

MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT
THREE SIDED CROWN SHAFT – LOVES HOT SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL VERY LARGE 24 INCH BOX SIZE

This Madagascar palm is known as the "Triangle Palm" because the crown shaft has three flat sides. It gets to a mature height of about 22 feet in 3 decades. It loves heat and sun. Leaves are a gray-green color and there is prominent speckling in the inner crown with dark colors. It is slow growing. It has a cold tolerance of about 24 degrees F. Be aware that this palm doesn’t do well in shade and doesn’t want to be shaded out by overhead trees. The boxed plants shown below are about as big as you can plant without heavy equipment. Their height is ten to twelve feet by estimate. Delivery is available.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 24 INCH BOX THIS SIZE $650
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 24 INCH BOX $550

Mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase. We also have 5g, 15g and 25g plants available

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM

IDEAL FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

I've discussed this great New Caledonian species before because it is such a good species for those of us in Southern California. It comes from high elevation in its native New Caledonia habitat, is a good growing palm and can tolerate full sun easily along the coastal strip. Its cold hardiness is down to about 23 degrees, better than the King Palm or Kentia Palm. It has an average trunk diameter of eight to ten inches and a mature height of usually about thirty feet. It can also be grown in part day sun or strong filtered light. Shown here is the 15 gallon size we’re putting on special Growth rate on this species is good. This species is highly recommended.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $200

The 15 gallon size is shown in the first 5 photos. The 6^th photo is a 20g plant.
The garden trees are growing in San Diego County.

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

UPRIGHT LEAVES - TAKES COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON PLANTS

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

Remember to mention this Blog Special at the time of purchase.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA
LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

GREEN LEAVES – STATELY TRUNK AND CROWN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

By popular demand I have put this great palm on special. This is the largest of the King Palm family. It got its name "maxima" by the flower size, but most have found it to be an aggressive grower, have a larger trunk and get taller than the other species of King Palms. It does have silver on the underside of the leaves. The crown shaft is sort of a yellow, sometimes blue color. It is a quick growing pinnate palm native to Australia. It's rare to see them available and also hard to find good photos of this species. I wish to than L.N. below for his picture of a mature tree. The plants I'm putting on special are the 15 gallon size, mostly singles. It tolerates full coastal sun and is cold hardy into the mid-twenties F.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $200

Of note, our Archontophoenix "teracarpa" is probably a larger King Palm than A. maxima but still escapes exact species identification. It does not have silver undersides to the leaflets and has a blue crown shaft. It is routinely discussed elsewhere at this Blog.

The 7th photo is by Luke Nancarrow AU and the 9th by P.D.

PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS
TALL PALM WITH BLUE-GREEN LEAVES

THE SILVER DATE PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G PLANTS

This species of Date Palm is from India and Pakistan and somewhat resembles the Canary Island Date Palm. But, the trunk is much thinner, the crown is not as large and it is more rounded in shape. Leaf color is blue-green. Overall height can reach forty to fifty feet. This is a sun species in all areas with a cold tolerance into the teens F.

We're offering nice 15g plants on special as shown. These might be a bit of a challenge to mail order but can be done.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SPECIES 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $195

Just mention this Special to get the discount when purchasing, Only a few available.

RHOPALOSTYLIS HYBRID
SAPIDA X BAUERI

SHOWING HYBRID VIGOR - SHOULD BE A WINNER!
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

For those of you with growing experience, you understand that palms, even monoecious palms, can hybridize. We got in some plants and were told that they were "sapida". But, looking at them you'll know they are not pure sapida. Seeds came off a Rhopalostylis sapida seed bearing tree. The dark petioles (brown) and downward flexing leaves show that they are a hybrid - baueri blood. Sorry, but I have no photos of a mature garden tree of this hybrid. They can take part day sun or filtered light in most areas. Cold hardiness will be about 20 degrees F.

REGULAR PRICE 15G THIS HYBRID $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $200

Mention this Blog Special to get this price. I don't have any mature specimen photos of this hybrid but elsewhere on this Blog have shown each parent species.

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

A DEFINITE STATEMENT PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL GOOD SIZED 15 GALLON PLANTS

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $195

Remember: Mention this Special for this price.

DYPSIS BARONII
RED BASE FORM – “RED STEM”

IDEAL SUCKERING MADAGASCAR PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE SUCKERING 7 GALLON PLANTS

Over the years and having grown between fifty and one hundred different species of Dypsis, I can say that Dypsis baronii is one of the best species of Dypsis for Southern California. It is a reliablly performing plant and quite beautiful. Palm enthusiasts get really excited about the variety of color seen in the stem, crown shaft and new petioles. The plants shown here are the “red stem” form with obvious red coloring at the base of the trunks. Crown shafts vary in color from red to yellow to powder white. Eventually, most plants give a silver green trunk with a light colored crown shaft as shown here. Trunks are several inches thick, leaves are about five to six feet long and overall heights peak out under twenty feet. Right on the coast this species can be grown in full sun although strong filtered light or part day sun is ok too. Far inland areas should expose this species to only a few hours of sun. Cold tolerance is into the mid and perhaps low 20's F. Growth rate is slow to medium.

Availability on this species is variable. Right now we our have 5g size but also these suckering, sturdy 7 gallon plants which I’m putting on special. I have about six of them. For those that don’t sell in the next ten days, I’m putting all into 15 gallon pots. These can be mail ordered. The garden photo is of only of the regular Dypsis baronii species. I have no garden pictures of the red stem form.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 7 GALLON PLANTS $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 7 GALLON $165

RAVENEA RIVULARIS
THE MAJESTY PALM

THICK TRUNK, FAST GROWER
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

Almost all Ravenea are native to Madagascar. Such it is with R. rivularis which was one of the first species of this genus to be grown commercially worldwide. It is native to moist areas along rivers in the habitat. It has a husky clean trunk with a slightly swollen base. The trunk tapers toward the crown. Leaves are green and about 8 feet long, fairly flat in cross section. Petioles are not armed. It is a fast growing species if fed well and given ample water. Mature height is about 40 feet and it tolerates coastal sun. Cold hardiness is 23 to 25 degrees F. We're putting 5 gallon on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $90

DYPSIS SAINTELUCEI
SINGLE TRUNK - WHITE CROWN SHAFT
NATIVE TO MADAGASCAR

HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER
TEN DAY SPECIAL ON 5 GALLON SIZED PLANTS

This single trunk palm in native to forest regions in southern Madagascar. It is known for its powdery white crown shaft. Mature it is a medium sized palm with a rather thin trunk and height of about twenty feet. It is being grown well in Southern California. I’ve heard from some that it's one of the better Dypsis to grow here. Leaves are arranged in a tristichous pattern and are plumose (fluffy). It tolerates sun or part sun. The exact cold hardiness is not well established but probably about 25 degrees F. The 5 gallon on sale below are on sale for ten days.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

You must mention this Internet-only special when purchasing to get this price. Limited supplies available. The last photo is c/o TS at RPS.

HYOPHORBE VERSCHAFELTII
THE SPINDLE PALM WITH ITS CIGAR SHAPED TRUNK

EXOTIC, UNUSUAL APPEARING AND RARE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

Hyophorbe verschafeltii is known as the Spindle Palm. It is closely related to Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, the Bottle Palm. But, the Spindle Palm is a bit more cold hardy and therefore the one that is a better choice for Southern California. Most Bottle Palms don’t survive in this ara. Both are native to the Mascarene Islands. Mature height in many decades is fifteen feet or a bit more. On the trunk, the Spindle Palm has the bulge off the ground, somewhere in the middle of a mature trunk. The Bottle Palm swells at the base and above this gets more narrow. Cold tolerance of the Spindle Palm is about freezing. The Bottle Palm gets into trouble below thirty-five degrees. This small difference makes a huge difference for growers. This species wants full sun along the coast. Shown below is our 5 gallon size which we’ve put on special. I can mail order this size.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE $100

We only have limited numbers available.

CHAMAEDOREA ARENBERGIANA
EXOTIC THIN TRUNKED SHADE PALM

WIDE GREEN LEAFLETS – THIN GREEN TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON PLANTS

This palm is an understory species from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. It gets to a height of ten to fifteen feet with a thin trunk of about an inch or a bit more. It has wide, irregularly spaced leaflets on leaves that can get over five feet long. These leaflets can be up to six inches wide and come to a prominent "drip tip" at their ends. The trunk is thin and prominently ringed. I'm also showing an old photo of a more mature plant’s female flower with near-mature black seeds. This is one super attractive species. In terms of culture, it is a shade loving species. So, one would plant it under canopy. It would probably look great as a small colony of three or four plants. Cold tolerance is into the mid to upper twenties F. It is a rare species to see in gardens but is worth seeking out. We’re putting 5 gallon on Special.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $100

Our 5g plants are shown in the first six pictures. The tall outdoor photo is of a tall 20 gallon plant. This is followed by a photo of that female blossom with seeds.

DYPSIS SPECIES ORANGE CRUSH
A BEAUTIFUL DYPSIS WITH NO SPECIES NAME

MANY TIMES SPORTS AN ORANGE CROWN SHAFT
MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT - EXOTIC AND SOUGHT AFTER
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

This is another exotic species that is near impossible to find. It is native to Madagascar, gets to a mature height of about 20 feet, has an 8 inch thick trunk and, most appealing, is the smooth orange colored crown shaft. (see last photo). We have available some 2 gallon plants. It is recommended that you grow this one for a year or two before planting. At one point, orange crush was felt to be Dypsis pululifera. But, that was proven incorrect by taxonomists. It presently has not species name. I'd start it in strong filtered light or slowly acclimate it to some sun. Cold tolerance is probably not much below a freeze. We have several of the 2g size available. Like other super rare species, it is affordable but not inexpensive. Those available were winter repots. The last photo was taken by BGL.
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE $65

SABAL MINOR
THE DWARF PALMETTO

NEVER OVER SIX FEET TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON PLANTS

This dwarf palm native to the southern states of the U.S. is sought after because of its small size and extreme cold hardiness. It can take temperatures into the mid-teens F. and rarely gets over six feet tall. It is often grown in full sun but tolerates part sun or strong filtered light. Enthusiasts like it because of its small size. Blossoms commonly shoot above the green fan leaves and produce small black seeds. We’re putting 2 gallon plants on sale presently.

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON SIZE $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $60

Just mention this blog special to get this great deal. This and all sales not outdated and seen here apply to mail orders or nursery visits.

HOWEA FORSTERIANA
THE KENTIA PALM

THIN TRUNK – TROPICAL GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE ONE GALLON SINGLE PLANTS

Howea forsteriana, the popular Kentia Palm, is native to Lord Howe Island. There it lives at lower elevations. At higher elevations up the mountains one sees Howea belmoreana and Hedyscepe. The Kentia does great here in So California – as both a garden palm and interior plant. It is a single trunk species that is often grown as a "multiple" with several plants in the same pot. It does NOT sucker. Along the coast it takes full sun or part day sun. Far inland, filtered light is needed. Cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F. Mature height in sun is usually about thirty feet in 30 years.

Shown here are some nice starter plants – singles in one gallon pots. They are ready to be repotted into a 5g container. This size is easy to mail order. We have various sizes of the Kentias for sale from small to large. They are also great patio palms in containers.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON SINGLE KENTIA $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE ONE GALLONS $55

Click here for an article Kentias from our website

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

UPRIGHT LEAVES - TAKES COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZED PLANTS

I've discussed this great New Caledonian species before because it is such a good species for those of us in Southern California. It comes from high elevation in its native habitat, is a good growing palm and can tolerate full sun easily along the coastal strip. Its cold hardiness is down to about 23 degrees, better than the King Palm or Kentia Palm. It has an average trunk diameter of eight to ten inches and a mature height of usually about thirty feet. It can also be grown in part day sun or strong filtered light.

The first six photos show our band size that we're putting on special. Be aware, this species can get up to about 30 feet in a domestic garden. This species is highly recommended in So Cal.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $50

Remember to mention this Blog Special at the time of purchase.

CERATOZAMIA MEXICANA
GREEN CYCAD FROM MEXICO
BLOWOUT SALE CONING SIZED PLANTS

GREAT DISCOUNT LARGE SPECIMEN CYCADS
TEN DAY SPECIAL CONING SIZED PLANTS

This gorgeous cycad is green in color and native to lowland as well as mountainous areas of Vera Cruz, Mexico. There are various forms. Some are green emergent but we’ve seen an occasional bronze emergent type. This is a medium to large cycad with crown spreads of eight to ten feet. Leaves tend to be horizontal and sometimes a bit dependent, especially on older leaves. Leaf stems are spiny. Leaf length can be six feet easily. Leaflets are medium width with no spines on their edges. Caudex size can get up to two feet. Most would grow this is a bit of sun or filtered light. But, right on the coast, some have grown it well in half day sun. Cold tolerance is down to the low 20’s F.

We have an excellent selection of this species and have selected some of the 15 gallons for a Ten Day Special. Caudexes are four to six inches or bigger. Most are coning size. These came recently from a private collection and some need to throw out new leaves. But, all are super healthy and have seen temperatures well into the twenties. The first 8 photos show examples of these, about 40 specimen cycads.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE IN 15 GALLON $$600
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE IN 15G $450

This is a great price for these plants, many of which are 15 years old. This size can be delivered or possibly mail ordered. They'd take a huge box.

SUPER UNUSUAL ENCEPHALARTOS HYBRID
F2 HYBRID WITH E. WOODII POLLEN

ENCEPHALARTOS (E. NATALENSIS X E. WOODII) X (ENCEPHALARTOS HORRIDUS X E. WOODII)
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT SIZE

This should prove to be one of the most interesting hybrid Encephalartos available on the market. It is an F2 hybrid. These were done from domestic plants in Southern California. The hybridizer took pollen from the E. horridus x woodii to pollinate a receptive female of E. natalensis x woodii. As most know, E. woodii is extinct in the wild and only male plants are known to exist. E. horridus x woodii (Encephalartos "horwood") is one of the most sought after hybrids around. I've shown multiple photos of the plants on Special as well as close up photos of the leaves of both parents.

TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POTS THIS HYBRID $120

I have limited numbers available. They'll not last long. They are presently a bit bigger than shown here.

MACROZAMIA RIEDLEI
RARE AUSTRALIAN CYCAD

THIN BLUE-GREEN LEAFLETS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This cycad is native to Australia and makes a small perhaps medium sized mature cyad. It will definitely be smaller than Macrozamia moorei or communis. Trunk heights are two feet to five feet. Leaves are either flat or sometimes keeled and a gray green in color. This species is native to the north-west part of Australia near or south of Perth. Leaves are about five feet tall. Cones are short. This species likes full sun along the coast and is cold hardy to the low 20’s F. The plant I'm putting on special is in a 15 gallon pot with a 3 to 4 inch caudex. It's shown in the first six photos. We have several this size. They are shippable for mail order.

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL CYCAD $450
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL CYCAD $375

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFFSKYANA
A "USER FRIENDLY" LARGE CYCAD

SPINELESS GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZED SEEDLINGS

I enjoy talking about this species because it is one of my favorites. It is a large species over time. I say 'user friendly" because this is one of the few species that has absolutely no spines; none of the leaflets, none one the stems. A leaf brushing across your face feels no more intense than brushing past a Maiden Hair Fern. We have a huge selection of this species. Today I’m putting seedlings in band size on sale. Below are a few of the main characteristics of this species:

*Large species with trunks slowly getting to over ten feet
*Leaf length typically six to eight feet, sometimes bigger.
*Trunk diameter to 18 inches
*Smooth petiole with no spines
*Great for strong filtered light or full sun along the coast
*Large interesting cones
*Leaflets soft and glossy green in color
*New leaves emerge upward, older leaves lay more horizontal
*Easy to grow

I've found that even customers who say "I only like palms, not cycads" tend to love this species.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE THIS SPECIES $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $50

JACOBINIA CARNEA (JUSTICA C.)
BRAZILIAN PLUME, FLAMINGO PLANT
PRETTY, PINK AND DWARF

SHADE PLANT - SPRING - SUMMER BLOOMER
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE MULTI-STEMMED 5G PLANTS

We've been growing this winning plant for a time. It prefers filtered light and is a dwarf plant that puts out clusters of huge pink flowers. This variety is pink but they also can come in red, apricot, orange, yellow and a whole assortment of other colors. They typically get to a height of five feet or less and throw long lasting blossoms. See how beautiful they are now - yet pictures from a month ago had no flowers. Along the coast they can take some sun. Cold hardiness is into the twenties F. Plants are about as wide as they are tall and make a wonderful and colorful addition to the garden floor. You'll not see this plant around too much. We sold them like crazy last year as everyone wants color for shady areas. On sale we are offering our 5 gallon size. These all have multiple stems. Each stem is either blooming now or about to bloom. Easy to ship. BTW, they blossom in the spring. So, if you get one now, you'll have color soon. One picture below shows the plant in winter, no blossoms.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $65

Just remember to mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase to get the discount. The garden photo below is from igarden website in Australia.

CALATHEA SPECIES - PINK BLOSSOMS
A TYPE OF PRAYER PLANT

COLORFUL FOLIAGE WITH PURPLE BACKS
THIS SPECIES HAS SOME COLD HARDINESS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON IN BLOSSOM

Over the years we've grown quite a few types of Calathea - known as the prayer plant. Native to the tropical Americas, we've found these plants are somewhat difficult to grow. They like warmth, humidity and filtered light. The main problem has been that, in our un-heated greenhouses, the plants would literally die during winter. To perfectly grow these plants you need a heated high humidity greenhouse. They typically don't like outdoor winter temperatures and most have had little success with them.

But, we had one variety shown below that has done well with our temperatures that get down to a freeze. They have flourished and are now showing pink blossom, lush green foliate with purple ventral sides to the leaves. We don't know the species name. They are a cluster of many plants. Limited numbers available. They'd want filtered light in the garden.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 5 GALLON CALATHEA $75

UNKNOWN FICUS SPECIES
NICE 15 GALLON TREES AVAILABLE

LARGE GREEN LEAVES WITH WHITE VEINS
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE

About five or size years ago we received some seeds labeled as Ficus macrophylla or the Moreton's Bay Fig Tree. This species makes a huge Banyon type tree that has a very thick trunk, large roots that crawl the ground and has leaves that are three to five inches long with red-colored backs. As we germinated and grew these seeds it became apparent that the trees that they produced were not the Moreton's Bay Fig but some other species. The leaves are larger that Ficus macrophylla, have green backs with white veins. The tree is quite attractive and I'm sure will make a large mature tree or could be used as a container grown house or patio plant. Height in the pot is size to seven feet. In the garden I suspect it'd do fine with full sun although I don't know the cold hardiness. It has seen a freeze already and did fine. These are too big for mail order. I can't show a mature plant as I don't know which species it is.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE $155

AMARYLLIS IN BLOSSOM
NAKED LADY PLANTS

WINTER - SPRING BLOSSOMS
VARIETY OF FLOWER COLORS
TEN DAY SPECIAL ALL AMARYLLIS

Amaryllis plants grow from bulbs. They can become leafless during the winter and sometimes the first thing you see in spring is a blossom. Blossoms are spectacular - large funnel shaped blooms in an assortment of colors. Leaves are green and strap like. Blossoms last for about 3 weeks are are very showy. After the blossoms die off one has a small green plant that goes dormant in winter. Plants slowly divide and multiply, forming large garden clusters that really show off in the spring. They are easy to grow in sun or part sun and require no special care. They just get bigger and show more spring blossoms over the years. We have several types and sizes, many in blossom right now. All sizes/types are on sale.

TEN DAY SPECIAL - 20% OFF REGULAR PRICES ON ALL AMARYLLIS

FRIDAY, 13 MAY, 2022

PEAT MOSS VERSUS SPHAGNUM MOSS

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?
ARE THEY THE SAME IN THEIR USAGE?

Over the years, I've found that many people don't know the difference between peat moss and typical sphagnum moss. I'll try to explain it here and tell how their usages are different.

Peat moss is a fibrous material that is not living and typically comes from Canada. There is harvested from "peat moss bogs", packaged and shipped worldwide for gardeners to use. These moss plants grow year after year on their often shaded locations. This years growth is on top of last years - and this goes on for centuries with the lower layers dying. So, at the bottom, there is this dead fibrous material. These lower levels are harvested and ground up for bagging. At Jungle Music, peat moss is a component in all of our nursery mixes. The first photo shows a handful of peat moss. Note that it is fine in texture. It comes in a compacted bale but, once broken apart, has this appearance. In a potting soil, it adds organic filler, it opens up the soil and promotes drainage. It does add acidity as well and, when used, one must often add dolomite to control acidity. Once added to a soil one really can't see it. For seed germination, it is often mixed together with perlite. If you use a mix with a lot of peat moss, never let it go totally dry or it will "brick up" and repel water.

Spagnum moss is the living material that is on top of the peat moss bogs. There it grows year after year. Localities where it can be found are worldwide including Canada, Peru and the northern U.K. These plants are harvested alive but die off from desiccation after they are harvested and packaged. The second photo shows this type of moss. Note the long, fluffy and coarse appearance. At our nursery we use this sphagnum moss mostly in two ways. First, we use it on the outside of wire baskets to hold in the soil. (third photo below) The second is to germinate or root certain types of plant material (seeds, cuttings, etc.). Slightly damp, it's the component used for the baggie technique of germination. I've known of people who use it in a potting mix but it is difficult to mix it evenly with other components. Other growers may use it as a top dressing on potted plants. A final interesting thing is that sphagnum moss is a neutral pH at the time of purchase. Peat moss is very acidic as mentioned above. The second photo below shows sphagnum moss out of the bag.

dry peat moss

dry sphagnum moss

sphagnum baskets racoolgardenwebsite

ENCEPHALARTOS HORRIDUS
SUPER BLUE SO AFRICAN CYCAD

VARIOUS SIZES AVAILABLE
LOVES SUN ALONG THE COAST
ONE OF MOST POPULAR CYCADS AROUND!

By far, the most popular rare cycad we sell is Encephalartos horridus. I don't know if it's the gnarly, spiny leaflets that thrills people. Or, the smaller size. Or, the intense blue color. But, somehow people love this plant and we can hardly keep them in stock. It is slow growing, has prominent barbs on the edge of the leaflets and has a small crown width - usually five feet or less. A two foot trunk would be about it's maximum caudex height. It can sucker. Along the coast it likes full sun - in the desert, a few hours. Cold hardiness is about 22 degrees F. Shown here are a 5g, 25g and some band sized seedlings. The last two pictures are of garden plants. Of note, because of this species popularity, we often run out on certain sizes. You might want to check out an almost identical species, Encephalartos trispinosus. We have a good supply of them.

MULE PALM
BUTIA X SYAGRUS (QUEEN PALM)

MEDIUM SIZE MATURE HYBRID PALM
SUPER COLD HARDY - TO ABOUT 16 DEGREES
TEN DAY SPECIAL SQUAT 25G SIZE

This popular inter-generic hybrid palm was probably first created by a man made cross of both parents about a hundred years ago. It has been given a trade name of "Butiagrus nabonnandii" but most people call it the Mule Palm. The latter name is utilized because it's been found on most specimens to have sterile fruit or no fruit at all. Any seeds formed almost always won't germinate to grow a new palm. Butia capitata is a monoecious species. This means that flower stocks have both male and female flowers.

To produce Mule Palm plants, it takes a tremendous amount of work to viable and true seeds. On the seed producing Butia flowerstock, all the male flowers must be meticulously removed manually to prevent self-pollination by itself. Only after this can the Queen pollen but put onto the receptive Butia blossoms. This takes a lot of experience, effort and time. This is one of the reasons this hybrid is so rare and usually pricey.

Mature height is up to thirty feet, much shorter than the Queen Palm. But, cold hardiness is better than a Queen as well. It'll take temperatures down to about 16 degrees F. This species prefers a bright sun location and can be grown in the desert in full sun.

On special are our 25g plants. They are at least 8-9 feet tall in their pots, grown in sun. They are ready for planting.

REGULAR PRICE 25 GALLON SIZE $700
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 25G $595

Remember: Mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase.

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX
THE NEEDLE PALM

WORLD'S MOST COLD HARDY PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL HUGE 20 YEAR OLD 45 GALLON PLANT

There is no doubt in my mind that this species is the most cold tolerant of any palm species. It is native to the southeastern United States with native habitats stretching from South Carolina down to northern Florida and into Alabama and Mississippi. There are reports of this species tolerating below zero degrees F. Now, this doesn't mean that you can grow it in Michigan. But, in areas that see significant cold such as North Carolina, central Texas or even New Mexico, this species might work for you.

It is a suckering fan palm and known as the "Needle Palm" because it forms dark colored, protuberant needles on the trunk. The eighth picture below shows the needles on the trunk of an older garden plant. The first six photos shown this mature, seed producing palm. I only have this one specimen – came from a private grower and is very old. In sun the leaf color is a silver green with more silver underneath. In shade the color gets dark green, reminiscent of a Rhapis Palm. Trunks are usually under three feet tall and four to six inches thick. But, because the leaves come upwards, the overall height of the plant can be six to seven feet or taller. They can get a bit bushy. This is a very slow growing species. If you don’t want a big mature specimen, I do have much smaller 5g which are shippable.

REGULAR PRICE 45 GALLON SPECIMEN $600
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL PLANT $495

You must mention this Blog Only Special to get this price.

RHOPALOSTYLIS BAUERI
NORFOLK ISLAND PALM

SINGLE TRUNK - CROWN SHAFTED
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

Rhopalostylis baueri, the Norfolk Island Palm, is native to two locations. Norfolk Island (an Australian island) is the home of the classic Rhopalostylis baueri but there is also a population in Kermadec Islands, a New Zealand territory. The population of Rhopalostylis baueri on Norfolk Island is near the elevated center of the island, rare elsewhere. In this locality, it is threatened by rodents that eat the seeds and young seedlings. In the Kermadec location, this species is found on Raoul Island. It is more plentiful there because there have been efforts to eliminate the rat population. In my experience, this species does best in less than full sun along the coast. Half day morning sun is about perfect. It has a cold tolerance into the low 20's F. and is being grown in the SF Bay area. Anticipate a height typically of about 25 feet mature. We are putting our 15 gallon size on special.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $200

The 8th photo is c/o Wikipedia.

SABAL RIVERSIDE
MEDIUM SIZE, THICK TRUNKED GREEN FAN PALM

SUN TOLERANT, COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

The true habitat origin of this palm is unknown. All plants around commercially originated from a collected plant that was found in Riverside, CA. No one knows where it originated from. It is a thick trunked Sabal species with large green leaves. Leaf color is green to blue green. The trunk holds on initially to old leaf bases but eventually they fall off or can be removed. Petioles are not armed but have a sharp edge. This species has medium sized round black seeds. Mature height averages about 25 feet. It is reported to tolerate down to 16 degrees F. It is a full sun palm. It’s also hard to find nowadays. We’re offering 15 gallon size on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $200

They are almost too big to mail order but could be shipped in a huge box – expensive to do this.

LIVISTONA NITIDA
TALL PALM WITH THINNER TRUNK

NATIVE TO QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
FAIRLY QUICK GROWING
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This palm species is a fan palm that is native to Queensland. We've found it to be quick growing. It'll attain a mature height of 60 feet or more. Trunk diameter is about 12 to 18 inches. Its leaf stems are armed as shown here. It prefers full sun, even in desert areas. I've read reports of it tolerating snow in Georgia. I'd estimate cold tolerance to be at least 20 degrees F. The 15g on Special are nice size and ready for planting in the garden. When mature, the leaflets droop downwards. This species was previously known as "Carnavon Gorge". Habitat photos c/o Mike Crisp in Australia.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE $195

Just mention this Blog Special at time of purchase for your blog only discount. These would be possible to ship but somewhat expensive.

DYPSIS LUCUBENSIS
TALL, THIN TRUNKED PINNATE PALM

FLUFFY, PLUMOSE LEAVES
THIS IS THE SUCKERING FORM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This species of palm is typically single trunk but there are suckering forms. This is what we are offering here. It is native to island of Nossi-Be off the coast of Madagascar. It can reach heights of over thirty feet. It has leaves arranged in three ranks - "tristichous". Trunk diameter is about 8 inches and the crown shaft is a rusty-brown color and not elongated. It is a difficult species to find nowadays. I'd recommend growing it in full sun along the coast. I'd estimate cold hardiness to be in the mid-twenties F. We have nice 15 gallons on special. Note the interesting leaflet arrangement.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $195

Remember: Mention this Special for this price when you purchase. We only have a small number available.

TRACHYCARPUS WAGNERIANUS
A MORE PETITE SPECIES OF THE WINDMILL PALM

SMALL, STIFF GREEN LEAVES
EXCELLENT COLD HARDINESS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 3 GALLON PLANTS

This interesting palm, known as the Dwarf Chusan Palm, does not have a well known natural habitat. Some think it may have originated with a dwarf cultivar of T. fortunei. It is very slow growing with a hairy trunk. It is sought after by palm enthusiasts and is presently hard to find. Leaves mature are about two feet across, stiff. flat and pleated and do not flex down at the ends. A decades old plant may have a trunk under ten feet tall. It wants full sun and may be equally as cold hardy (down to 15 degree F. or colder) as the common Windmill Palm. The 3 gallon on sale are about five to six years old and easily recognized by their small leaf size.

REGULAR PRICE 3 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 3 GALLON $100

Remember to mention this Special for your discount when you purchase. These would be easy to mail order in the pot with soil. The eight mature specimen photo is c/o Martin Gibbons - known for his work on this genus

BRAHEA EDULIS
THE GUADALUPE FAN PALM

FULL SUN FAN PALM – SLOW GROWING
NEVER TOO TALL – COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 3 GALLON SIZE

This is not what I'd call a super rare species of palm, but for some reason they are near impossible to find. Right now we are fortunate enough to have some a few 15g, 3g and 1g - the 3 gallon on special today. They are very large for their pots. Brahea edulis is a slow growing, shorter fan palm that is native to an island, Guadalupe Island, just off the coast of Mexico south of San Diego, CA. It is known as the Guadalupe Fan Palm. It is found natively nowhere else. The trunk is medium sized and mature trees obtain a maximum height of under fifteen feet. The garden plants shown here are located near Mission Bay Park in San Diego. I'd estimate they are about forty years old. This species likes full sun, can tolerate desert conditions and is cold hardy to the mid to upper teens F. They are also reasonably drought tolerant. Like other Brahea, large specimens are very difficult to successfully transplant.

REGULAR PRICE 3 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 3G $95

Obviously, these are easy to mail order. I can ship these easily in a box with their soil and all necessary Ag Permits.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX "TERACARPA"
THE BEST KING PALM EVER!

SO, WHAT IS IT?
ARE THEY EVER ON SALE?
YES, 10 DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

Archontophoenix teracarpa is a fictitious name given to an unknown species/type of King Palm that I have in my garden and no one can identify. I've been collecting seeds from it for quite a few years and offering it for sale. Everyone who gets one agrees - "It's the best King Palm ever!" It got the name from the Latin "Large body", which it has. After trying to identify the species over many years and with no success, we coined the name "Archontophoenix teracarpa". The closest species to it would be A. maxima but it's not the same. So, what are the differences that makes teracarpa more ideal?

It is faster growing
It gets taller than the regular King Palm
It tolerates full sun better
It doesn't brown tip in full sun
It has a blue crown shaft
It has a super thick trunk

REGULAR PRICE 5G $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $95

Remember: mention this Special to get your discount when you purchase!

CHAMBEYRONIA HOOKERI
THE BLONDE FLAMETHROWER PALM

GORGEOUS PALM FROM NEW CALEDONIA
USUALLY HAVE NICE NEW PURPLE-RED LEAF
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

Shown is a nice example of a 5 gallon size of Chambeyronia hookeri with its blonde colored crown shaft. I’ve found that this species throws just as red (sometimes even more intense) new leaf compared to Chambeyronia macrocarpa. This species is hard to find. It is different in appearance from the dark green crown shafted form seen on C. macrocarpa. Here's some facts about this species:

• Growth habit and care about the same as macrocarpa
• Along the coast will tolerate full sun if you're are not too far inland
• Crown shaft is yellow-tan colored and quite prominent
• Cold tolerance is about 23 degrees
• Growth rate on this species like macrocarpa is slow to medium but improves once planted in the ground.
• Trunk diameter is about 8 inches typically and overall height of mature plants is about 25 feet
• Leaflets are shiny green, thick and sturdy, and quite wide as shown
• Like macrocarpa, about 95% of the time throws newly emerging red leaf as shown here. Rarely a plant will not throw new red leaves and there's no way of predicting this.
• Also makes a great interior palm inside the home

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON SIZE $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE $100

We have very limited numbers available of this species and also have a few 15 gallon size. Of course, not all will have a red new leaf at this time. Mention this Special at the time of purchase for this discounted price. The crown shaft photo below is by TS at RPS and the new red leaf by the roof is by D.L.

RAVENEA SAMBIRANENSIS
RARE SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

WHEN MATURE, LANDSCAPE SIZED SPECIMEN
TEN DAY SPECIAL TWO GALLON PLANTS

This species of Ravenea is from both the west and eastern sides of the Island of Madagascar. It was named after a river on the island. It is a large and elegant pinnate palm with heights reportedly up to one hundred feet. Trunk diameter is one foot. It grows at elevations from sea level to six thousand feet in both dry and moist native habitats. When younger, this species has flat erect leaves that go straight upwards. However, with age, this species produces leaves that are keeled and curve downwards at the ends. When mature the overall crown is hemispherical with the leaves in the upper portion of the circle. Because of its large size, this plant should be considered a major landscape item and not a companion plant. Photos below show how large this palm is when mature.

I have a limited number of two gallon plants on sale. These are shown in the first four photos. They should be grown in an area where they can work their way from strong filtered light into full sun. Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties F. They like moisture but need good draining soil. My thanks to TS at RPS for the first habitat photo. The plants on sale were repotted this past winter.

REGULAR PRICE TWO GALLON $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL TWO GALLON $70

DYPSIS ALBOFARINOSA
CLUMPING MADAGASCAR PALM
WHITE CROWN SHAFTS - VERY RARE

PLANTS SHOWN HERE FROM DOMESTIC SEEDS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1G SIZE

This clumping medium sized palm is native to Madagascar. It has previously been called "Dypsis species white petiole". It was formally described by Don Hodel about fifteen years ago. It is most closely related to Dypsis baronii and known for its prominently white crown shafts. Leaves are drooping with rather fine leaflets. Trunks average about two inches diameter. Plant height is a maximum of approximately fifteen feet. It can be grown in full coastal sun but should be allowed to grow up and into the sun. So, starting in bright filtered light is best. Exact cold hardiness is uncertain but most likely in the mid-twenties F. range. I am putting one gallons on a Ten Day Special. These are from domestic seeds.

REGULAR PRICE 1G $70
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1G $60

Mention this Special for your discount at the time of purchase. These can easily be mail ordered. The last three garden photos are by AL PACSOA

SABAL ETONIA
SMALL FAN PALM NATIVE TO FLORIDA

GETS SIX TO EIGHT FEET TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This small fan palm is native to almost all areas of Florida. It is different than Sabal palmetto in that it is smaller. Although not quite as small as the Sabal louisiana below, it rarely gets to a height of about eight feet. Leaves are green and the trunk is a bit stout. It tolerates full sun or part day sun. It is difficult to find. In the fifth photo, it is the band plant that the staff is holding in his left hand (right hand is Sabal louisiana, an even smaller species). Cold hardiness is at least 15 degrees F. or a bit lower.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $47.50

SABAL LOUISIANA
THE LOUISIANA PALMETTO PALM

SUPER SMALL, SUPER COLD HARDY FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This dwarf fan palm is touted as being the smallest variety of Sabal. It is a variety of Sabal minor that has been found in the wild in Louisiana and adjacent states on either side. It has blue-green leaves with a mature height of six feet. It is also super cold hardy with reports of it going a bit below zero F. As it is an understory palm in habitat, one would anticipate it'd do well in strong filtered light or perhaps half day sun. In the 5th photo it is the band palm in the staff's right hand. On the left is the Sabal etonia. Both are nicely sized. The last photo is c/o TS at RPS. This is a difficult species to find.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $47.50

ENCEPHALARTOS LONGIFOLIUS
RARE MEDIUM SIZED SO AFRICAN CYCAD

GREEN LEAF VARIETY - STACKING LEAFLETS
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT SIZE

Encephalartos longifolius is from the Eastern Cape region of the Republic of South Africa. It is among the favorite species of all cycad enthusiasts. Leaf color varies from a dark green to brilliant blue - and everything in-between. The plant shown below is in a citrus pot and has green leaves. This does not mean it won’t show some blue later in outdoor sun. Caudex size is 1.5 to 2 inches wide. This is a full sun species along the coast with a cold hardiness of 22 degrees F. This species will develop into medium sized mature cycads over the years with potential for trunk in a lifetime of at least five feet. We have a whole assortment of sizes available from sale - both larger and smaller.

REGULAR PRICE CITRUS POT THIS SIZE $300
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT THIS SIZE $245

Sale price for 10 days only. Easy to mail order. Remember to mention this Special!

ENCEPHALARTOS LEBOMBOENSIS
MEDIUM SIZED SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

GREEN LEAVES – FAIRLY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

Encephalartos lebomboensis is native to the Lebombo Mountains in South Africa. It is most closely related to Encephalartos senticosus. Leaves are green, typically three to five feet long and have thin, heavily spined leaflets. But, overall, this is not a large cycad species. In fact, it is relatively compact for an Encephalartos. In a lifetime most would see a mature tree that has perhaps six feet of trunk. There are many century old plants in the wild with fifteen to twenty feet of trunk. Overall, the crown width is about six feet. This species wants full sun along the coast and has a cold tolerance to the low 20's F. It is not hard to grow. The plants on special are in 2 gallon pots with a caudex of 2 inches

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE, THIS SPECIES $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 2 GALLON CYCADS $85

ENCEPHALARTOS WHITELOCKII
LARGER CENTRAL AFRICAN CYCAD

LONG UPRIGHT LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 5 GALLON PLANTS

This unique and larger cycad is native to Uganda. In fact, at one point it was called the "Uganda Giant Cycad". This is because it has leaves that extend almost straight up toward the sky and can be twelve feet long or more. Leaflets are narrow and armed with small spines. The caudex is a light color and in the wild can be up to ten feet tall. Historically, as this species is similar to E. laurentianus, it was called also "Encephalartos laurentianus Lake George", referring to its specific habitat. The nursery plants I'm putting on special are in 5 gallon containers and have caudexes of 4 to 5 inches. They are about 8 years old and very nice. This is the perfect size for putting in the garden. They’ll be overhead in a few years. We have other sizes as well, both larger and smaller. The last photo shows one of our boxed specimens. Note the appearance of these plants with their long leaves with narrow leaflets. Enthusiasts love this species because it's a good growing cycad. Right on the coast I'd give it half day sun. It's not quite a sun-tolerant as many of the South African species. Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F. Some of these are a 15 g size plant. This means you can get one by mail order without having to pay for shipping of a 15g pot.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 5 GALLON THIS SIZE $575
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE IN 5 GALLON $450

These are a shippable size but would take a tall box. I only have a handful available and they won’t last long.

ALOCASIA SUMO
HYBRID ALOCASIA - EXOTIC WITH SOME COLD HARDINESS

LARGE SQUAT 15 GALLON - STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL
TEN DAY SPECIAL FIFTEEN GALLON SIZE

Alocasia sumo is a hybrid species - a cross between A. portora and "purple cloak". The cold hardiness comes from the portora parentage. This is a medium sized hybrid with 3 to 4 foot long leaves that are diamond shaped with a purple hue to the underside of the leaves. Leaves point upwards. There are prominent veins on the leaves. Plant height should be about 6 to 8 feet. It is reported that this species is a "7b" zone species which means it should tolerate a freeze. Obviously, it'd look best in summer. We'd recommend filtered light or limited sun. The 15 gallon on special are very nice and about 7 feet tall in their pots – near mature size.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 15 GALLON $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 15 GALLON $165

These big Alocasia would be difficult to ship because of the large leaves. We also have one or 5 gallon which would ship more easily

THE MOOSEHORN FERN
PLATYCERUM SUPERBUM

GROWS EPIPHYTICALLY
MOUNT ON WOOD OR TREE TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL SIZE SHOWN

Platycerum are a type of fern that we know as the "Staghorn Fern". But, the normal type you see, P. bifurcatum, has deer antler types of leaves. They are narrow and reach out from the attaching shield. But, there's another type known as the "Moosehorn Fern" where the leaves are entire, stretching across the width of the plant. Mature, they look entirely different. These leaves can get up to six feet across – one giant shield like leaf. They are not easy to find. The standard Staghorn is not difficult to locate. Both are an epiphytic type of plant that can be mounted on a tree trunk or grown on a flat wooden base. They are not hard to care for but you don't want to let them go dry. I water them by just spraying with a hose and occasionally give them some liquid fertilizer mixed into the water. You want to water to hit the plant from above – like rain. They can take a bit of sun or strong filtered light. Cold hardiness is typically into the mid to perhaps low twenties F. The plants we have presently are larger than ones we’ve offered in the past.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $185

Mention this special to get this price when purchasing. I can mail order these but they take a surprising large box to ship. The last photo is a great on and was taken by floragreatlakes.info website. Of note, we keep running out of these but, so far, have been able to quickly replenish stock.

EPIDENDRON ORCHID
PINK BLOSSOM

REEDSTEM TYPE TERRESTRIAL ORCHID
HARD TO FIND PINK-PURPLE COLOR
TEN DAY SPECIAL FIVE GALLON SIZE IN BLOSSOM

The family of Epidendron Orchids are loaded with species/varieties of lots of different colors. These include pink, purple, orange, red, white and yellow. We have an assortment of blossom colors in one to five gallon pots. Shown is a 5 gallon with pink flowers. All sizes and colors are on sale. All are easy to grow. These plants have reed-like stems, most of which will blossom in summer. Leaves are thick and small and plants can be divided in the future to easily add to other areas of the garden. They'll take coastal full sun or strong filtered light. Some sun is needed for flowering. You can plant these right in the soil. They are cold tolerant into the mid-twenties F. BTW, other than the orange blossoming type, call the other colors are difficult to find. You’ll love them in your garden or in a pot. Once again, we'd give a discount on any size or color of these. Shown is a 5 gallon pink. Trust that they are a definite pink although the photos show an orange-pink.

REGULAR PRICE THESE FIVE GALLON $100
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $85

Just mention this Special at the time of purchase for this discounted price. The pink 5g are in the first two rows of photos. The last row is of smaller purple.

HAWAIIAN TI PLANTS
GREAT COLOR FOR THE GARDEN
ASSORTMENT OF NEW VARIETIES AT NURSERY

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE GORGEOUS PLANTS

Cordyline Hawaiian Ti plants are a great way to add color to the garden. They easily acclimate to filtered light growing conditions in our area but can be solely acclimated to coastal sun. Most don't get much over six feet tall. They have thin trunks and can take a freeze with some damage. Severe cold will kill them. Leaf color varies from pastels to reds to green and black. Shown here four different varieties of different Hawaiian Ti plants. All are different and there's one that is predominantly pastel colors. Remember, availability of each type changes ever several days.

REGULAR PRICE THESE VARIETIES OF HAWAIIAN TI $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE TI PLANTS $47.50

Remember to mention this Blog Special price at the time of purchase.

WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY, 2022

CYCAS THOUARSII
MEDIUM SIZED CYCAD

SOFT GREEN LEAVES
FAST GROWING

The first four pictures here show a nice 15g specimen of this species. Native to Madagascar, the eastern coast of Africa and the Comoro Islands, this fast growing species gets to a native height of sometimes twenty feet or more. Plants grown domestically are typically ten feet or a bit more in California. The trunk is about eight to ten inches thick. Leaves are five to six feet long and soft to the touch. There is small armor on the leaf stem, but the leaflets have no spines. Leaf color is green to blue-green.

Along the coast this species tolerates full sun. Far inland areas should utilize filtered light or morning sun. Cold hardiness is into the low 20's F. We have a whole assortment of sizes available including nice 5g plants that are a piece of cake to ship.

CYCAS MEDIA
LUSH GREEN AUSTRALIAN CYCAD

THIN TRUNK, UP TO 20 FEET
NICE LANDSCAPE PLANTS AVAILABLE

This attractive cycad is native to Queensland, Australia. It has green leaves five to six feet long and in a lifetime can get a trunk up to 20 feet. Trunk diameter is typically about 8 to 10 inches. Leaf stems are minimal armed and leaf color is green on both sides. It will take coastal sun but would be better with part day sun or filtered light far inland. Shown here are several 15g and one 20g plants. We may have smaller available. Any of these plants can be shipped by mail order. This is a pretty rare species that you can find easily.


		A different, even bigger 20g specimen
A different, much older 15g specimen

ARCHONTOPHOENIX PURPUREA
THE PURPLE CROWN SHAFT KING PALM

VERY BEAUTIFUL - GOOD GROWER
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SINGLE OR MULTIPLE SIZE

The native home of Archontophoenix purpurea is the Mt. Lewis mountain range in Queensland, Australia. This species is known for the purple color to the crown shaft. It is found at an elevation up to 4000 feet. Mature height is quoted to be over fifty feet, but in habitat and culture I didn't see one this tall. For types of King Palms, this species is stated to have the thickest trunk. I don't think I agree with this and feel A. maxima is thicker. Most I've seen have a trunk diameter of twelve inches or somewhat more.

Cold hardiness is about 25 degrees F. It takes full coastal sun. The degree of purple in the crown shaft is variable but never "lollipop" purple. The underside of the leaves is silver and there is ramenta hairs only on this side. On younger plants the leaf bases and leaf stem tend to have a yellow color. I'm showing our 15g size which we're putting on a Ten Day Special. This size is shown in the first two rows of photos and has three individual plants together. We also have singles available as well as smaller 5g and 1g sizes.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $195

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special when you purchase to get this discount.

BECCARIOPHOENIX ALFREDII
THE MADAGASCAR PLATEAU COCONUT PALM

MEDIUM SIZES SINGLE TRUNK PALM
HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER – NEW BATH JUST AVAILABLE
TEN DAY SPECIAL ON 15G SIZED PLANTS

This species of exotic palm is from the island of Madagascar. It is the third of three Beccariophoenix species described from this palm-loaded country. It is so sought after because some feel that it's the prettiest species of the three. And, because it may possess the best cold hardiness. I've documented other Beccariophoenix species tolerating temperatures below 25 degrees at our nursery. So, this species may survive in areas like San Francisco, Phoenix and maybe even warmer parts of Texas. It grows to a height of about thirty feet and does not have a crown shaft. Leaves are long and minimally curved. The crown of leaves are densely placed. Growth rate is medium in most areas and along the coast it likes sun. This species is hard to find. We're putting our limited supplies of 15g plants on ten day special. As you can see from the photos, they are good sized. These can be mail ordered.

REGULAR PRICE LARGE 5G THIS SPECIES $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $225

We did offer this species for sale a few weeks ago at this price but this batch are bigger. You must mention this Internet-only special when purchasing to get this price. Limited supplies available. CREDITS: My thanks to TS at RPS for the habitat photos.

TRACHYCARPUS LATISECTUS
WINDMILL PALM FROM INDIA

MEDIUM ADULT HEIGHT
RARE SPECIES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This species from high elevation areas in India is most known for the fact that it's leaf segments are wider than other species. There are two varieties. It is a tall species, up to forty feet, with a narrow trunk of six to eight inches. Its leaves are green with a bit of glaucous color beneath. For this genus, the leaves are wide, sometimes up to five feet with wide segments that are divided about half way into the leaf. The petioles are about three feet long and the leaf shape is semicircular or near totally circular. There is a hope that this species tolerates more heat. Cold tolerance is yet to be determined. We're suspicious it is not as cold tolerant as other species. It is extremely rare in cultivation with few photos available of the native population. Both larger plant photographs below are by Martin Gibbons in the U.K. and Tobias Spanner in Germany. We have one or two 15 gallon which I’m putting on Special.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G $215

Remember to mention this Blog Special for you discount.

ROYSTONEA REGIA
THE CUBAN ROYAL PALM

TALL, SUN LOVING SINGLE TRUNK SPECIES
ELEGANT WITH LONG CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This super popular palm is native to south Florida and Cuba. It gets a very tall trunk with a height of forty feet or more. The crown shaft is long and a prominent green. The base of the trunk is swollen just above the ground. Often, you'll also see bulging in the mid-trunk. It is a full sun palm and some are growing it in desert areas with success - in full sun. Cold tolerance is like a King Palm, about 25 degrees F. The fifteen gallon on sale are about six to seven years old and about eight feet tall in their pot. There's a shortage of this species on the market and they are difficult to find. These are too big for mail order but we can deliver them. If you need mail order, consider our smaller 5 gallon size.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $200

BRAHEA NITIDA
FLAT GREEN LEAF - NATIVE TO MEXICO

CAN TOLERATE LESS THAN FULL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G PLANTS

This interesting fan palm is native to Mexico, where it lives in the western portion of the country in mountainous areas. Its distribution extends down into Guatemala. It attains a height of thirty feet with a stout trunk of one foot diameter. The most attractive thing about this palm are its circular leaves, with only partial division of the segments. This is particularly apparent when it is grown in filtered light. In sun, the leaves are less flat and more divided. When grown in shade, sometimes this species reminds me of a "Licuala-looking" palm in its leaf appearance.

Cold hardiness is at least into the mid-twenties F. It may in fact be more cold hardy. The leaves are a shiny green with a white discoloration on the underside of the leaves. The petioles are essentially un-armed. From time to time we have this species available. Shown here are nice 15g which I'm putting on sale. The close up of the petioles shows the lack of armor. Note the minimal division of the leaflets. The plant in the garden below shows more circular, flat near entire leaves. Compare this to the habitat photo, which was taken by a friend of mine, Justen Dobbs, in habitat and in full sun. The leaves in full sun are more divided and not as tropical appearing.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $200

Remember, mention this Blog Only Special for price at the time of purchase. Limited numbers available. The photo from habitat is by Justen Dobbs.

TRACHYCARPUS TAKIL
POSSIBLY THE MOST COLD HARDY WINDMILL PALM

MEDIUM SIZE SUN TOLERANT FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 7 GALLON SIZE

This species of Windmill Palm is always sought out by palm enthusiasts, especially those in colder areas. This is because this species is felt to be the most cold hardy of the genus with reports of it easily tolerating temperatures into the single digits F. This, of course, varies with the duration or cold and other conditions. We've only been able to occasionally offer this species for sale. A way I identify this palm is by the slight offset from midline of the petioles’ attachment to the fan leaf. We’re offering nicely size 7 gallon on sale and these are shippable. We have limited supplies, so don't dally. It tolerates coastal sun quite well and part sun far inland.

REGULAR PRICE 7 GALLON $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL 7 GALLON $165

Just remember to mention this Special when you purchase. I wish to thank Tobias Spanner and Martin Gibbons for their habitat photo. They not only discovered this species but were also the source of seeds for these plants.

DYPSIS CARLSMITHII
ORIGINALLY CALLED "DYPSIS STUMPY"

ATTRACTIVE AND DIFFERENT SINGLE TRUNK MADAGASCAR PALM
MEDIUM HEIGHT - THICK TRUNK
SALE OF 5 GALLON SIZE

The original specimen of this species was found in the garden of the now-late Don Carlsmith on the Big Island, HI. Friend Jeff Marcus grew this species from seeds of this single plant and, thirty years ago, referred to it as “Dypsis "Stumpy". With the assistance of John Dransfield at Kew Gardens in the U.K., it was later given the name of Dypsis carlsmithii.

This is a medium sized, crown shafted pinnate palm with upright leaves that are green and arch at their ends. Leaves are keeled and the crown shaft is green with hints of orange. It was called "stumpy" by Jeff because the trunk is thick compared to many other Dypsis. Trunks are ringed and 12 to 14 inches thick. Mature height is twenty feet and it wants part day or full sun along the coast. Cold tolerance is into the upper 20's F. Nowadays, the only source of seeds for this species is domestic seeds so availability is very limited. We are putting a small number of 5 gallon on sale. The seventh photo is by Ryan Gallivan c/o PACSOA.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
SALE PRICE THIS SIZE $100

DYPSIS LEPTOCHEILOS
THE TEDDY BEAR PALM

RUST COLORED CROWN SHAFT
THIN SILVER RINGED TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This great Madagascar palm is known for its rusty-brown/red crown shaft that is quite fuzzy to the touch. It therefore has its common name of the Teddy Bear Palm. It is not a huge palm, usually getting up to about twenty-five feet with a six inch thick trunk. Trunk color is silver with prominent rings. Leaf color is green. Right on the coast it takes full sun easily. Far inland would require part day sun or filtered light. Cold tolerance is down to about 25 degrees F. This is one of the most popular palms around. I’m offering our nice 5 gallon plants on special.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

Remember to mention this Special at the time of purchase.

SABAL BLACKBURNIANA
LARGE AND TALL FAN PALM

RATHER LARGE 5 GALLON PLANTS
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 5G PLANTS

This This species of thick trunked fan palm is native to Dominican Republic and Haiti. It can get to over 60 feet tall with a massive 2 foot thick brown trunk. Leaves are larger than the similar but smaller Sabal palmetto. Growth rate is quick. It is also very cold hardy and likes full hot sun. It can go down to the mid-teens F. The 5 gallon size shown below were from huge, overgrown bands that we put into these 5g pots in the fall. They’ll need time to fully root out but the price is excellent – only $20 more than a band sized plant.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 5 GALLON $75

Just remember to mention this Special. The first garden photo is c/o Wikipedia and the second is by friend Justen Dobbs.

DYPSIS PRESTONIANA
VERY RARE SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

PLUMOSA LEAVES – COLORFUL CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

This highly sought-after, single trunk species from Madagascar is very beautiful. It falls into the category of a “must have ” species. This species comes from mid-elevation in southern Madagascar and is proving to be a great species for Southern California. It has a height of over 30 feet, a thick trunk that is about 12 to sixteen inches thick with prominent rings, plumose upright leaves and a colored crown shaft. The crown shaft has white silver, orange and black colors. Cold tolerance appears to be into the mid-twenties but is not yet worked out. Mature trees tolerate full sun along the coast. The mature photos are by TS at RPS. One photo is c/o John Dransfield, Kew Botanical Garden in London. We’re putting 2 gallon plants on Special.

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON SIZE $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $62.50

Remember to mention this Special. These can be mail ordered.

BASSELINIA PANCHERI
RARE SINGLE TRUNK EXOTIC PALM FROM NEW CALEDONIA

MEDIUM SIZE MATURE - DARK OR BLACK CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON PLANTS
This super exotic single trunk pinnate palm is native to New Caledonia and is being grown by some enthusiasts in Sothern California. It is very slow growing and has a mature height of eight to ten feet. The crown shaft is often dark in color, sometimes speckled or has faint linear lines. The trunk is 2 to 4 inches and leaflets are wide. Leaves have the appearance of being solid but they are divided into wide leaflets. This palm should be grown in filtered light. It has a cold tolerance down to about a freeze. Also understand that this species is very slow growing - so be patient. We're offering three year old 2 gallon plants here. These are starting to take on a nice size.

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $70

Remember: Mention this Special!

PHOENIX RUPICOLA
THE CLIFF DATE PALM

MEDIUM SIZE -THINNER TRUNK THAN CANARY
FAIRLY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE BAND SIZE PLANTS

I don't know if you've looked for this species, but the Cliff Date Palm is not so easy to find. It is native to India and is about half the size of the Canary Island Palm in terms of trunk diameter and mature height. Also, the crown is much smaller. It is an armed species and has other characteristics of Phoenix like the induplicate leaflets (water held "in" - V shaped ). But, many think this is the prettiest of all the Date Palms. It typically gets fifteen to twenty-five feet tall. The leaves are very pretty and green. The crown is not overly large. Leaves curve downwards. Growth rate is medium, it tolerates full sun and is cold hardy into the mid-twenties or lower. Shown below are absolutely huge plants in a band container. We’re putting them on special. This is a good buy.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $50

Remember to mention this Special for this discount. We are repotting them into 5 gallon and only a handful left.

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
EASTERN CAPE BLUE CYCAD

FULL SUN, NEVER VERY BIG
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE SEEDLINGS

One of the most popular blue cycads that we sell is this South African species from the Eastern Cape region (toward the ocean). It is a very slow growing species that, in fifty years, is rarely over a height of five feet tall. So, like the Dioon above, it'll always stay small and not obstruct a view. The color is intensely blue. I tell people it's like the color of a clear blue sky after you've thrown in a tiny bit of fog. The other thing about this species, compared to E. horridus and trispinosus, is that it's much less spiny and very uniform in shape when mature. Expect a trunk of no more than three feet and a crown width of no more than six feet. It loves full sun on the coast and is cold hardy to about 22 degrees F. Our band size which are on sale are shown in the first five photos below.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $70
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND $60

Remember: You must mention this Blog Only Special for this discount when you buy. This size is a piece of cake to ship. We also have available 5g, 15g and boxes for sale. The last row of photos shows other larger nursery plants.

ZAMIA FISCHERI
AKA ZAMIA VASQUEZII

DWARF GREEN MEXICAN CYCAD
CONES AT A SMALL SIZE - NEVER OVER 3 TO FOUR FEET TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL CIT POT SIZE
This is small Mexican cycad with stems typically under one foot tall in size and leaves green in color and up to three feet long, sometimes shorter. It usually holds about five or so leaves, sometimes more. It is a variable species and leaflets can be lanceolate or wedge shaped. Leaflets are quite thin in texture and have soft spines on the margins. Overall, this species has a "fern-like" appearance and would not be considered spiny. The names "vasquezii" replaced the more commonly known name of "fischeri" in the past fifteen years or so.

The two plants shown here in the first two rows below are eight to ten years old. One is a female in cone (illustrated). I am also showing (last row) two super robust garden specimens.

REGULAR PRICE CIT POT THIS SPECIES $285
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $245

Remember: Mention this Special for your discounted price!

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFFSKYANA
USER FRIENDLY CYCAD

LARGE GREEN CYCAD FOR FILTERED LIGHT OR COASTAL SUN
NO SPINES WHATSOEVER!
TEN DAY SPECIAL FORTY YEAR OLD SPECIMEN

I enjoy talking about cycad, Lepidozamia peoffskyana, because it is one of my favorites. It is a large species over time. I say "user friendly" because this is one of the few cycad species that has absolutely no spines - none of the leaflets, none one the stems. A leaf brushing across your face feels no more intense than brushing past a Maiden Hair Fern. We have a good selection of this species from seedlings to quite a few very old specimens as shown below. The main characteristics of this species include:

*Large species with trunks slowly getting to over ten feet
*Leaf length typically six to eight feet, sometimes bigger.
*Trunk diameter to 18 inches
*Smooth petiole with no spines
*Great for strong filtered light or full sun along the coast
*Large interesting cones
*Leaflets soft and glossy green in color
*New leaves emerge upward, older leaves lay more horizontal
*Easy to grow

I've found that even customers who say "I only like palms, not cycads" tend to love this species. The plant on special is in a 35 gallon container and is well established. It had been present in a performing arts center for several decades before we received it six or eight years ago. The caudex is 17 inches wide and 27 inches tall. I’m offering it on special and don’t recall the sex of this plant. Of note, we also have other sizes including bands up to boxed specimens. This particular cycad is too big for mail order but can be delivered.

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL 35 GALLON SPECIMEN $4500
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL 35 GALLON CYCAD $3750

BTW, this specimen competes in size with old plants you'd see in many botanical gardens.

CYCAS DEBAOENSIS
VERY RARE CHINESE CYCAD
MULTIPINNATE, SMALL CAUDEX, LONG LEAVES

SUPER RARE SMALL SHADE CYCAD
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON FEMALE PLANT

In my opinion, this is one of the most desirable cycad species introduced in the past several decades. It was formally described in 1996. Native to China, it is a plant with a rather small caudex, typically under a foot in size, but with long leaves that stretch upwards and will divide to the third order. Some argue that it's just "bi-pinnate", but if you research pictures of the leaves, there is a small stem leading to two or three leaflets. Therefore, I consider it to be "tri-pinnate". In other words, the main stem will fork and that branch will fork again, this last stem holding the leaflets.. The Caryota palm divides to the second order and is considered to be multipinate as well. With this branching, this species produces a very tropical and exotic appearing leaf.

It typically will hold two to four leaves, but has been reported to hold as many as ten leaves. Length of these can reach ten feet. They tend to go straight upwards, flexing down over time. Cycas debaoensis prefers filtered light and is cold hardy to the lower 20's F. The plant on Special was obtained from a private collection. The caudex is 7 inches and it’s a female in cone as shown below. At nurseries, this is considered an extremely rare cycad and is always hard to find. Regular price at $175 per inch is $1225.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL CYCAD $1000

This plant can be mail ordered but would take care and a heavy large box to ship.

BIRDSNEST FERN - ASPLENIUM NIDUS
EXOTIC UNDERSTORY FERN

LONG SHINY GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE GALLON SIZE

It's been a while since I've presented this customer favorite - the Birdsnest Fern, Asplenium nidus. They are an ideal understory plant for the garden floor but can also be grown inside the home or in a patio area. Leaves are green and shiny. They want filtered light and ample water. Like most ferns, you don't want them to go dry. A large specimen plant could have a crown spread of six or seven feet. You have to keep snails away from them. The plants on special are nice 5 gallon plants - these are oversized 5g plant. These can be mail ordered, weather permitting.

REGULAR PRICE THESE LARGE 5 GALLON PLANTS $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $60

Remember to mention this Blog Special for this discount when you purchase.

SPATHODEA CAMPANULATA
THE AFRICAN TULIP TREE

LARGE ORANGE-RED FLOWERS IN SUMMER
FULL SUN – SOME COLD HARDINESS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

We are fortunate here in Southern California because there are quite a few striking, beautiful flowering tropical trees that we can grow. Included in this group is the African Tulip Tree with its clusters of large blossoms. They typically have clusters of large orange to red blossoms. It blooms in summer but sometimes longer. It wants full sun. Cold hardiness is estimated to be in the mid-twenties F. Growth rate is medium. The plants on special are between 3 and 5 feet tall in their pots. One last note: Realize that this species tends to go deciduous (drop its leaves) during the coldest part of winter.

REGULAR PRICE 5G AFRICAN TULIP TREE $95
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS 5G SIZE $65

Remember: 10 days at this price – Mention this Special at the time of purchase to get this price.

ALOCASIA REGAL SHIELD
POPULAR AND EXOTIC ELEPHANT EAR PLANT

DARK COLORED AND HEAVILY VEINED LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This is a hybrid of an Asian Alocasia that is medium sized - up to six feet with rather large leaves. Leaves have prominent venation and are purple-black on the dorsal side and a similar color on the underside with yellow veins. Leaves are two to three feet long. This is a super attractive plant that likes good draining soil and a bit of sun or strong filtered light. It does like moisture. It grows in zones 9B to 11. Leaves are about 3 feet long when mature. This popular variety is sought after and sells out every year.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $70

The first seven photos show the 5g size. Following are two shots of our 15 gallon size. We have other unusual types of Alocasia in 5g size for sale at similar prices.

VARIEGATED SHELL GINGER
ALPINIA ZERUMBET

YELLOW AND GREEN 15G SIZE AVAILABLE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON PLANTS

This is a super popular variety of ginger that blossoms in the summer. It is native to Asia. Blossoms are white with yellow and red throats. Blossoms are not fragrant. Blossoms hang downward compared to the upright blossoms of Hedychium Gingers like the Kahili Ginger. Mature height of these plants is six to seven feet. The leaves are prominently variegated with lighter green and yellow. Blossoms are long lived, lasting at least a month. Blossoms occur during the summer. I think they do best in part day sun although right on the coast folks grow them in full sun. Cold tolerance is one of the better for ginger, probably the mid-twenties F. The 15 gallons on sale have several canes and are ready to be planted in the ground.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $165

Just mention this Blog Special to get your discount.

PHILODENDRON McCAULLEY'S RED
PHILODENDRON CHERRY RED

RED-ORANGE NEW LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 GALLON

This is another hybrid Philodenron that shows color in the new leaves. Many times it is a deep red. As leaves age, they turn green. Plants must get older to truly display colors. But, you can see from these photos it's a deep red-orange. Leaves are wider and more red than the Prince of Orange Philodendron. It wants filtered light or, inside, indirect light. Don't overwater it and give it a chance to dry out a bit. Cold tolerance is about a freeze. This is a non-climbing rosette type of plant. This is the first time we've offered this hybrid.

TEN DAY SPECIAL YOUNG 1 GALLON $25

MONDAY, 9 MAY, 2022

SYAGRUS OLERACEA
THE "SKINNY QUEEN PALM"

PLUMOSE GREEN LEAVES
MOST PREFER IT TO THE COMMON QUEEN PALM
NICE 5G PLANTS AVAILABLE

This single trunk species is from Brazil and is fairly tall, easily over 30 feet. Habitat specimens are up to 60 feet, similar to the common Queen Palm. But, this species has a super narrow trunk as shown here. It is light colored and has rings. Leaves are plumose and arch. It is a sun species with cold hardiness into the mid-twenties F. There are quite a few nice specimens in the Southern CA area. Shown here are large 5g plants. We have only limited supplies available. You can see from its appearance why so many people prefer it to the common Queen Palm.

Photo by TS at RPS

ALOCASIA "BLACK STEM"
UNDERSTORY EXOTIC COMPANION PLANT

SUPER COOL BLACK STEMS
LIMITED NUMBERS

From a private grower we have gotten in this really impressive Alocasia that struck my fancy. It has super dark, essentially black stems. And, the black continues up into the leaf on the underside veins. We tried one outdoors about two months ago - sort of an experiment to see how it would do with winter. And, it had no damage with our low this year at 34 degrees F. So, I got the last two or three to offer to customers. These are in 5g pots and stand about four feet tall. I anticipate it'll be an understory plant with filtered light. I suspect a freeze would damage them. Although just a guess, I'd say mature height will be about six feet. No one knows presently the species name of this plant. As mentioned, available only for a short time in very limited number.

HOWEA FORSTERIANA
THE KENTIA PALM

REALLY LARGE SINGLE TRUNK 25 GALLON PLANTS
TEN TO TWELVE FEET TALL - 10 INCH THICK BASES
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 25 GALLON SINGLE PLANTS

Howea forsteriana, the popular Kentia Palm, is native to Lord Howe Island. There it lives at lower elevations. At higher elevations up the mountains one sees Howea belmoreana and Hedyscepe. The Kentia does great here in So California. It is a single trunk species that is often grown as a "multiple" with several plants in the same pot. It does NOT sucker. Along the coast it takes full sun or part day sun. Far inland, filtered light is needed. Cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F. Mature height in sun is usually about thirty feet in 30 years. Shown here is are examples of absolutely good sized 25 gallon palms. These have been outdoor grown and are about twelve years old. Standing next to them, most are about ten feet tall or more with 8 to 12 inch bases (ground diameter). All are singles - not multipoles. They are so nice that some are considering using them as a larger house plant. We have various sizes of the Kentias for sale from small to large. They are great patio palms. Smaller plants can be mail ordered. Bigger plants usually require delivery.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE NICE 25 GALLON KENTIAS $475

Be aware we have limited numbers available and these will sell out this week. The first garden photo is by Kerikeri.

Click here for an article on this species from our website

BISMARCKIA SPECIES MAYOTTE ISLAND
THE RARE GREEN BISMARCKIA

A BISMARCKIA BUT WITHOUT THE BLUE COLOR
VERY ATTRACTIVE, LARGER GREEN FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL OLD 15G SIZED PLANTS

One of the favorite characteristics of Bismarckia is the blue color to the leaves. But, there is a green variety on the island of Madagascar. At another location, there is an endemic green Bismarckia known as the "Mayotte Island" form. There is very little published about these green forms of the Bismarck Palm. It likes sun and is probably cold hardy into the low 20's F. Most feel it's not quite as cold hardy as the blue form. On these green Bismarckias, often you'll see red in the leaf stem or a hint of it on the leaves. Of course, this is a full sun palm. This is a very rare palm to find as everyone seeks out the blue type. But, we have this more rare green form and have found they are showing nice cold hardiness to the low 20's F. The plant shown below is about twelve years old. We have a handful of them.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE $220

TRITHRINAX SCHIZOPHYLLA
THE CARANDILLA PALM

BLUE-GREEN SUCKERING FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

This rare and hard to find species of South American fan palm was previously known as Trithrinax biflabellata. But, the latter was later found to be spineless and the two were given separate species status. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. T. schizophylla is definitely a spiny palm with long needle-like spines on the trunk. It is not quite as blue as campestris and is usually a suckering palm but sometimes is single trunk. Mature height is six to fifteen feet. Although the leaf is a rigid leaf, the leaflet tips are softer than the pungent T. campestris. Leaf color is blue-green, not nearly as blue as campestris. It is a very cold hardy species that tolerates temperatures down to at least 18 degrees F. On sale are very old, outdoor grown 15g plants. I think we've been growing these for about 12 to 14 years. It likes full sun and loves heat. It is possible to mail order this larger 15g size but it'd take a large box.

REGULAR PRICE OLD 15G PLANTS $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 15G $210

As usual, mention our Blog when ordering to get this price. The habitat photo is by Juan Pech. BTW, we are sold out completely of T. campestris.

KING PALM
ARCHONTOPHOENIX CUNNINGHAMIANA

MEDIUM TO TALL, FULL OR PART DAY SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL SINGLE OR TRIPLE 15 GALLON SIZE

The popular King Palm is also known as the Piccabeen Palm or Bangalow palm. It is native to several areas in Australia. It can in habitat get to sixty feet tall, but in Southern California is usually not over 40 feet tall. It is crown shafted with a gray trunk. The crown shaft is green with some brown speckled areas. Leaf length is 8 to 10 feet. It is not particularly rare. Other species of King Palms are. (we grow them all). Ramenta is present on the back of the leaflets, a hallmark of this species. Cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F. The single & triples we're putting on sale are in the 15g size. Be aware, you can plant a single, double or triple. All do great although the greater the number of plants put in, the slower the growth rate of the clump. Today we're only showing triple 15g below.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G $150

Mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase for this discounted price. We do have other sizes for sale.

RHOPALOSTYLIS CHEESEMANII
MEDIUM SIZED PINNATE PALM WITH CROWNSHAFT

FROM ROUL ISLAND
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

Rhopalostylis cheesemanii is from Roul Island as opposed to Norfolk Island, the home of R. baueri. It reportedly has darker brown tomentum on the crown shaft and petioles compared to R. baueri and the fruits are larger in size. But, the most remarkable thing is that some enthusiasts have noticed is that it is a more aggressive grower in Southern California. In fact, opposed to R. baueri, it has been known to do quite well in full sun right along the coast. It is a medium sized pinnate palm with a mature height of 25 to 30 feet and crown shafted. The trunk is about 8 inches thick or a bit more.

Although you can't see it below, it has a a dark petiole. Be aware that many people feel this should be considered a sub-variety of Rhopalostylis baueri. Some have reported that the crown shaft can take on a purple color. We are putting very nice 15 gallon plants on sale

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $235
SALE PRICE 15 GALLON $210

The 9th photo is c/o cloudforest.com website

PINANGA CORONATA
SUPER BEAUTIFUL IVORY CANE PALM

SUCKERING FILTERED LIGHT EXOTIC PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This exotic suckering pinnate palm is native to Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi. It has thin trunks that can have a blonde color. Leaves are somewhat narrow, green in color with an unarmed petiole. Mature height in CA is usually about twelve feet although in the tropics they get much taller. They like filtered light but can take a bit of morning sun. Too much sun here will burn them. Cold hardiness is into the upper 20's F. I had a mature specimen that produced large numbers of purple fruit for years. This species is similar to Pinanga kuhlii but has more repetitive regular leaves and less mottling to the leaflets. Of note, some taxonomists consider these two species synonymous. Shown here are some 15 gallon plants which we’re putting on special. They are not quite up to the full 15 gallon size we prefer, so we’ll give an extra nice discount. They would be full size by late Spring but I suspect they’ll sell out by then as this is a beautiful yet very hard to find species.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $225
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $180

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special to get your discount at the time of purchase.

PINANGA CORONATA
SUPER BEAUTIFUL IVORY CANE PALM

SUCKERING FILTERED LIGHT EXOTIC PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

FOR SPECIES DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $100

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special to get your discount at the time of purchase.

PTYCHOSPERMA ELEGANS
THE SOLITAIRE PALM - NATIVE TO AUSTRALIA

ELEGANT SINGLE TRUNK SPECIES
CROWN SHAFT - THIN TRUNK - MEDIUM HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This single trunk palm species is native to the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia. It has green medium width leaves. It has a rather thin trunk that typically is about six inches thick. Leaves are about six feet long. The crown shaft is silver green in color and the leaves are green. Mature height is about 20 - 25 feet on average. It tolerates temperatures into the mid-20's F. Near the ocean it may take full sun but most grow it in part day sun or filtered light. I've been growing one in my garden for about 40 years. Some plant them as small colonies, two or three together. We're putting our 5g size on special. This size is shown in the first six photos.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE $100

Remember to mention this Special. These can be mail ordered.

DYPSIS LEPTOCHEILOS
THE TEDDY BEAR PALM

EVERYONE LOVES THIS PALM
ONE OF THE BEST MADAGASCAR PALMS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

The Teddy Bear Palm has become super popular because it grows well in Southern California, has a rusty colored, fuzzy crown shaft, has a silver, ringed trunk and doesn't get too tall. For most enthusiasts, it's among the "top ten" Madagascar palms. Mature height is about 25 feet. Right on the coast it does well with full sun. Cold hardiness is about 25 degrees F. Growth rate is medium. One can grow it in part day sun as well. The average enthusiast, once he sees a mature plant, just "has to have one". Expect a mature height in California of about 25 feet or a bit more. Trunk diameter is usually about eight inches. The crown shaft is the most prominent trait - fuzzy, rusty red and quite touchable. The latter trait is why it's called the "Teddy Bear Palm". We’re putting five gallon size on Sale.

REGULAR PRICE 5G SIZE $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $100

Mention this Special for your discount.

CRYOSOPHILA STAURACANTHA
SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED TROPICAL FAN PALM

SILVER UNDERSIDE TO THE LEAVES
MODIFIED SPINES ON TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This single trunk fan palm is native to Southern Mexico and parts of Central America. It can get up to a height of 25 feet but most garden specimens are under 15 feet tall. Two things are quite noteworthy: First, the undersides of the leaves are a silver-white. A picture below of sale size shows this quite well. Secondly, the trunk is narrow and covered with "modified" spines. They are not real sharp and are not true spines. The dorsal side of the leaves is green. This palm likes strong filtered light and right on the coast may take part day sun. Cold tolerance is estimated to be in the high 20's F. Growth rate is medium. You have to have an overhead crown of leaves to really see the silver color.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE $100

Remember to mention this Special for your discount when you purchase. The plants on sale are shown in the first six photos. I'm also showing a 15g size and a specimen c/o TS at RPS.

BRAHEA DULCIS
MEDIUM SIZED ATTRACTIVE FAN PALM

GREEN FLAT LEAVES – NO ARMOR
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This good looking fan palm comes from southern Mexico as well as various countries in Central America. There is variability in this species: Some plants are green, others blue. Some specimens get to twenty feet, others remain shorter. And, some even sucker to make multiple trunks. But, all are attractive. Over time, leaf bases fall away to give a smooth trunk. We're offering our good sized 5 gallon at a good discount. Easy to ship. This species likes part sun or full sun along the coast and is cold hardy to about 20 degrees F.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON THIS SPECIES $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $100

You must mention this special to get this price. The last photo is c/o "OZ$".

CYPHOPHOENIX ALBA – PREVIOUSLY VEILLONIA ALBA
GORGEOUS & SUPER RARE NEW CALEDONIAN PALM

MEDIUM HEIGHT – WHITE CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON PLANTS

This single trunk, white crown-shafted palm comes from the island of New Caledonia. There is grows in locations from sea level to 2000 feet. It is a medium sized plant best known for its white crown shaft. Known for decades as a monotypic species "Veillonia alba", in the past decade taxonomists decided renamed it Cyphophoenix alba. Trunk diameter is thin, about six inches. Height is about forty feet, sometimes taller. This species is known to grow in better areas of Southern California. The crown shaft is covered with either white or red-brown tomentum and is striking. Prominent rings are seen on the trunk. The leaves are green and overall, the crown is a medium size. I would recommend growing this is filtered light and let it work its way into a bit more sun. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F. As this species is super rare and hard to find, if you get one you have to be careful with it. It would be difficult to replace is you lose it through poor culture. We have put 5 gallon on sale. The garden photos are by Wikipedia and TS at RPS.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $145
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $120

CHAMAEDOREA TEPEJILOTE
SINGLE TRUNK, TALL
SHADE-LOVING PINNATE PALM

DARK GREEN RINGED TRUNK
OFTEN GROWN AS A "MULTIPLE"
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

This single trunk pinnate palm is native to areas extending from southern Mexico down to Columbia. They are often grown for food as the male blossoms are cooked and eaten as a delicacy. This species doesn't take sun here - it'll burn. But, in shade it thrives in temperatures down to the mid-twenties F. It is quick growing and has a rather thick, prominently ringed dark green trunk. Flowers are quite prominent and, if you have several plants closely situated, the chances are you'll obtain fruit without even trying. The last photo shows a flower with green fruit. This species can also be grown inside the home as long as the air is not too hot and dry. I personally like the looks of a collection of several plants grown together. Over time, as they age and get overhead, there will be some "stair-stepping" of the crowns and this is quite attractive. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F. It needs filtered light, even when tall. We have singles and some multiples of our 5g that are on sale. Both singles and multiples are shown in the first six photos. We also have nice 15g which are overhead in their pots.

REGULAR PRICE LARGE 5G $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE LARGE 5G $100

Just mention this Special for your discount.

CARPOXYLON MACROSPERMUM
DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS CROWN SHAFTED PALM

NATIVE TO VANUATU
EXTREMELY HARD TO FIND
NOT VERY COLD TOLERANT
TEN DALE SALE ON TWO GALLON PLANTS

This extremely gorgeous crown shafted palm was introduced into the cultivation market perhaps 25 years ago. At that time and since, availability of seeds has very limited and seed prices uncommonly high - as much as eight dollars per seed. This is a single trunk palm with very arching green leaves and a lime green colored crown shaft. The trunk is medium sized and about 10 inches thick. Overall height is 15 to 20 feet. Leaves are keeled and leaflets continue nearly all the way to the base of the petiole. The base of the trunk is slightly swollen. The difficulty in growing this species is the lack of its ability to tolerate a freeze. Tolerated low temperatures are 33 to 34 degrees. With this said, some people in warmer microclimates have had success in growing this beautiful palm. It wants acclimation into full sun. The mature photos are c/o a friend in Vanuatu and are from a private garden. This is an extremely difficult species to find for sale.

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON $85
SALE PRICE THIS SIZE $75

CHAMAEDOREA SCHIPPII
AN ALMOST UNKNOWN AND NEVER AVAILABLE SPECIES

UNDERSTORY SUCKERING PINNATE PALM
HISTORICALLY USED TO CREATE GREAT HYBRID PALMS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

Taxonomically, this species of Chamaedorea is an accepted species. When I got started in palms about 40 years ago, you could occasionally find one available but you really had to seek it out. Then they disappeared from the market. I have a friend with a mature matched and sexed pair of them who set seeds several years ago. Until this happened, I hadn’t had this species for sale for at least 20 years. No one has them. We're offering them in 2 gallon size and have very few available.

This is a suckering green leaf understory species of Chamaedorea. They get a mature height of twelve to fourteen feet and have an appearance similar to C. costaricana. But, the leaves are longer and the trunks are thicker. Trunks remain vertical and don't usually lean. This species has historically been used to make some of the more interesting Chamaedorea hybrids including the famous "Irving Cantor" cross. They were chosen for hybridization because of their strong vertical trunks. Cold tolerance is into the twenties F.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS RARE PALM 2 GALLON SIZE $65

Remember: Limited numbers and mention this Blog Only Special to get this price. The third garden photo is c/o Wikipedia Commons.

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FOR SUN

GOOD OFFERING OF 15 GALLON PLANTS
CAUDEXES 3.5 TO 6 INCHES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON E. LEHMANNII

This is a popular blue cycad from the Eastern Cape area of South Africa. I say “popular” because some people don't like spines and prickles. The leaflets of this species are narrow with only a point at the end. They are nothing as gnarly as E. horridus. The leaves and crown are very neat and uniform. The nearest species to this one is Encephalartos princeps. Trunks of E. lehmannii can get to five feet, but one with two to three feet of trunk is very old. Leaves average about four feet long and are strongly curled. Sometimes they'll almost do a 180 or more degree re-curve. Leaf color is intensely blue like E. horridus. But, you'll only see this color with full, hot sun. In shade or inside a greenhouse they are often green. Cold hardiness is about 21 to 22 degrees F. In the desert only give it a few hours sun. Next to Encephalartos horridus, this is the second most popular cycad we grow. Shown below is an assortment of 15 gallon plants of this species with caudexes of 3 to 5-6 inches. We have about a half dozen of them. All are sun ready. I am showing some of these 15g below.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON THIS SPECIES $150 PER INCH CAUDEX DIAMETER

TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SPECIES $130 PER INCH CAUDEX DIAMETER.

This size can possibly be mail ordered. This caudex size price applies to plants that do not have vertical trunk height.

CYCAS PANZHIHUAENSIS
RARE GREEN CHINESE CYCAD
EXCELLENT COLD HARDINESS

MEDIUM SIZE MATURE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE AS SHOWN

This is a rare green cycad from China. It is different than the Sago Palm - smaller and, to me, more attractive. Leaf color is green to blue green. It tolerates coastal sun and is cold hardy into the upper teens F. Some feel it's one of the most cold hardy cycads in the world - even better than the Sago Palm. Mature height should be about eight feet. They can sucker, but much less than the Sago. They also take up less garden space than the Sago Palm. Leaflets are narrow without armor except on the tips (pointed).

The 15 gallon as shown in the five photos below has a caudex of 8 inches. We also have larger and smaller plants for sale. We are putting plants of this size (about 8 inches caudex) on special. These can be easily mail ordered but would take a large box to ship. We only have a few of this size. If you select a larger on it would, of course, cost more. Or, less for a smaller.

REGULAR PRICE PLANTS WITH THIS SIZE CAUDEX $750
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $625

This size can be shipped or delivered. Remember, mention this Special when you purchase.

DIOON EDULE
DWARF MEXICAN CYCAD

FOR A CYCAD, VERY COLD HARDY
TOLERATES DESERT SUN - ONE OF BEST FOR THIS
TEN DAY SPECIAL GOOD SIZED 15 GALLON SIZE

Dioon edule is a typically small to medium sized sun-loving cycad from Mexico. There are known to be about six different varieties of this species - all from different localities. Leaves are typically green to blue green. Leaflets at pointed at the end and otherwise un-armed. Dioon edule is one of the few cycads that tolerates hot direct desert sun. The Sago Palm can't claim this ability. Cold tolerance is excellent, being able to take cold weather into the teens F. The plants size I’m putting on special are nice 15 gallon size. The one shown below has a caudex of 9 inches and is about 12 to 15 years old. This size can be shipped to anywhere within the U.S. Note, cycads are sold by the caudex size. If this one sells, for ten days we’d get a comparable but different plant at a similar discount. Availability of this size/species is limited.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZED 15 GALLON $725
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZED 15 GALLON THIS SIZE $575

Remember to mention this Special for your discount when you purchase.

ENCEPHALARTOS MUNCHII
A BLUE TO BLUE-GREEN CYCAD

RARE AND VERY ATTRACTIVE CYCAD
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE FIVE GALLON SIZE

Native to Mozambique, this small to medium sized cycad grows in scrub forest among rocks and boulders. It is distinguished by its blue to blue-green color and by having leaflets that are prominently spiny. In my experience, leaf color is sometimes very blue, other times blue-green. You'll sometimes hear the description as "soapy green" to describe the leaves. Overall, the leaf color is variable and I've shown several photos here to demonstrate this. I've seen specimens that are as blue as an Encephalartos horridus.

Trunk size is usually under three feet. Upright leaves are about four feet long or less. Leaves are keeled and leaflets are lanceolate and spiny. This species likes full sun and is cold tolerant into the low 20's F. The five gallon size on special are very nice - about six years old - with caudexes of 3 to 3.5 inches wide. They came from parents domestically that both had extreme blue color. These can be mail ordered but not outside the U.S.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 5 GALLON $325
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 5 GALLON PLANTS $260

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase.

BIRDS NEST ANTHURIUM
ANTHURIUM HOOKERI

THE PERFECT COMPANION PLANT

NEVER OVER ABOUT SIX FEET TALL
LEATHERY, DARK GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 5 GALLON PLANTS

Enthusiast are always looking for attractive companion plants that don't get too big. Shown here is what's called the "Birds Nest" Anthurium. Most of these plants are felt to either be the species Anthurium hookeri or a hybrid of it. They are good for filtered light situations and rarely get over six feet tall. The leaves are long, wide and very thick to the touch. Their leaf surface is wavy. We’re offering our 5 gallon size on a Ten Day Special. This is the size most people buy. Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties F. Flowers are red, as are the tiny seeds. These plants are real winners. These can be mail ordered.

REGULAR PRICE 5G THIS SPECIES $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $70

Remember: Mention this Blog Only Special to get this price when you buy! The last photo is c/o Wikipedia

DWARF CRINUM LILY
CLUSTERS OF PINK FLOWERS

WIDE GREEN LEAVES - MATURE ABOUT 2 FEET TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

We have available a gardener favorite with nice 5g size of a Crinum Lily which has nice pink blossoms in spring through early fall. This is a dwarf species with foliage height not over about two feet. They have wide green soft leaves and the plants sucker to form small clumps. They are reliable growers. These can take some sun and have been successful for almost all that buy them. When they blossom, you'll love them. The photos of the blossoms show how pretty they are - wide petals and clusters of flowers. With age the blossoms can turn more of a white color.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $65

Remember: Mention this Blog Special when you purchase

CORDYLINE FRUITICOSA RED SISTER
NEAR MATURE LARGE SPECIMEN CLUMPS

GREAT INTENSE COLOR FOR THE GARDEN
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE SQUAT 15 GALLON SIZE

Cordyline Hawaiian Ti plants are a great way to add color to the garden. They easily acclimate to filtered light growing conditions in our area but can be acclimated to coastal full sun. Most don't get much over six to seven feet tall. They have thin trunks and can take a freeze with some damage. Severe cold will kill them. They usually survive temperatures in the mid to upper twenties F. The variety shown below has predominant red leaves and are the “Red Sister” variety. The unusual thing about these plants is their near mature size. You never see them available like this. Some in the pots are overhead. But, we only have a handful of these. I would recommend bright filtered light or full sun if you are near the coast. Of note, all containers have three to four different individual plants.

REGULAR PRICE THESE LARGE 15 GALLON $200
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS VARIETY THIS SIZE $175

Remember to mention this Blog Special price at the time of purchase.

NEOROGELIA MEDUSA
GREEN BROMELIAD WITH INTENSE RED CENTER

FILTERED LIGHT SPECIES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 6 INCH POT

This popular hybrid Bromeliad is known for its prominent red color with older leaves being a dark green. It can be grown as a houseplant, patio plant or in the garden. It want filtered light. One waters bromeliads from overhead to fill their cups with water. If you only water the soil, Bromeliads will die. Their roots are only for attachment to the soil, tree branch or trunk. These can be shipped. The final photos show usage of Bromeliads in the garden. I don't have specific photos for this species.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 6 INCH POT $39.50

FRIDAY, 6 MAY, 2022

GASTROCOCOS CRISPA
AKA ACROCOMIA CRISPA
THE CUBAN BELLY PALM

SPINY PINNATE PALM
CENTRAL TRUNK SWOLLEN

Native to various areas of Cuba, this single trunk spiny palm is most known for the prominent bulge in the central trunk as shown here. The spines on the trunk are variable. Some older plants seem to lose their spines whereas others keep them. See the photos below. I've shown some photos that definitely show the bulge in the trunk.

Heights can get to over thirty feet, crowns are full, leaves are plumose and overall appearance of the trees are very interesting. This is a full sun species that can be grown in frost free areas of Southern California. We probably have some smaller sizes available presently. BTW, I am old fashioned and really like the old name of Gastrococos crispa.

DIOON SONORENSE
THE GREEN VARIETY

SUPER RARE SPECIES SELDOM SEEN
FORTY YEAR OLD PLANT
THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IT

From time to time I have discussed the genus of Dioon cycads. I am particularly fond of this genus because they tend to be very durable plants. As a group, some get quite tall, others are hort. I am showing below as forty year old specimen of one of the more rare species of Dioon – Dioon sonorense. This species used to be grouped as a type of tomasellii. In 1998 it was given its own status as a species. Dioon sonorense is from northwest Mexico in the Sonora and Sinaloa states. It lives at rather high elevations in hot and dry climates. Trunks are usually short, typically four feet or less after many decades of growth. Leaves are straight, sometimes with a bit of a twist along the axis. Leaf color is green to blue, depending on the locality of the variety one has. The blue variety is referred to as the “bacanora” type. Leaflets are thin and pointed at the end. Sometimes they are falcate (sickle shaped). This species prefers sun and cold tolerance is down to the low 20's F. or perhaps even colder. This species has always been super difficult to find.

I thought you'd like to see this coning sized cycad. The plant shown here is about 40 years old. I sold it to a customer 25 years ago and he grew it. He decided to sell it and called me. The caudex is about 10 inches wide and 14 inches tall. It is the green variety and shown in the first eight photos. It was sold the same day I got it in. Below are photos of this plant and both the blue and green variety of this species with one photo showing the falcate leaflets. Note that the blue and green varieties are similar except for the leaflet color.

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
STUNNING BLUE FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

POPULAR, BLUE, STATELY AND BEAUTIFUL!
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 25 GALLON SIZE

All the time customers are seeking out Bismarckia, especially for mail orders to other states. We have available some 15 gallon plants of this species that can be mail ordered. But, we don't have too many. For several decades we've been growing this stunning blue fan palm from Madagascar. These are the blue form. You’ll note that there’s some purple color to the leaves and stems. This is because they were outdoor grown and saw cold weather into the twenties F. But, this is the blue form as only the blue ones seem to show purple with cold. As they grow, all leaves remain blue. Mature specimens in their native habitat reach heights of over forty feet. Trunk diameter can reach 18 inches or a bit more. Leaf width can be up to eight feet.

This is a very attractive palm and should be given room in the garden to show it off. It prefers full, hot sun. Many people in desert locations have found they can grow it. Cold tolerance is about 22 degrees, although plants seeing colder have come back from injury. Shown are our 25 gallon plants on special.

READ MORE ABOUT BISMARCKIA

REGULAR PRICE 25 GALLON SIZE $575
TEN DAY SPECIAL 25 GALLON SIZE $495

Remember: Mention this Special for this price. Only a few left.

JUBAEA CHILENSIS
THE CHILEAN WINE PALM

FATTEST TRUNK OF ANY PALM
MASSIVE 15 GALLON PLANTS
EASILY THE SIZE OF A 25 GALLON PLANT
TEN DAY SPECIAL SUPER LARGE 15 GALLON PLANTS

This species is known at the Chilean Wine Palm. It can have trunk diameters up to four feet. To get a large trunking tree from a small plant can take several decades. Ultimate height can reach at least forty feet. Leaves are green and sometimes a blue-green color. The trunk is smooth and the fruit is yellow with a large brown seed inside. The leaf stems are unarmed. Cold hardiness in into the mid teens F. It's a sun species, even in the desert. The plants on sale are truly massive 15 gallon specimens. On some, the trunk almost fills the 15 inch diameter pot. Also, notice the somewhat blue petioles. These may end up being the blue variety of the Chilean Wine Palm. You will not not find any larger 15 gallon on the market. These can be mail ordered but shipping would be expensive. They have been sun grown in a colder area of San Diego County. Limited numbers. These will sell out shortly. We got in about ten of them Friday and half are already sold.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE MASSIVE 15 GALLON $350

But, mention this Special to get your discount.

DYPSIS PLUMOSA
THIN TRUNK PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

FLUFFY LEAVES – SILVER CROWN SHAFT
TOLERATES SUN ALONG TH COAST
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 15 GALLON PLANT

This single trunk, crown shafted pinnate palm comes from Madagascar. It is a medium size palm with a narrow trunk and plumose leaves. Trunk diameter is four to six inches. The trunk color is silver-green and it has prominent rings. Leaflets are narrow and green in color. The ends of the leaves curve downwards. We have been growing this species for over two decades and found it to be a reliable grower. When young the trunk is much thinner but fattens up with age. It is quite cold tolerant, down into the mid to low 20's F. It's growth rate is good. It likes full sun in most areas. We are offering very tall 15 gallon plants on sale. The plant shown below is about 12 feet tall – twice the height of most comparable 15g plants. As you can see, they are very tall and too big to ship by UPS.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON THIS SIZE $250
DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $220

CHAMAEDOREA TEPEJILOTE
SINGLE TRUNK, TALL
SHADE-LOVING PINNATE PALM

DARK GREEN RINGED TRUNK
OFTEN GROWN AS A "MULTIPLE"
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

This single trunk pinnate palm is native to areas extending from southern Mexico down to Columbia. They are often grown for food as the male blossoms are cooked and eaten as a delicacy. This species doesn't take sun here - it'll burn. But, in shade it thrives in temperatures down to the mid-twenties F. It is quick growing and has a rather thick, prominently ringed dark green trunk. Flowers are quite prominent and, if you have several plants closely situated, the chances are you'll obtain fruit without even trying. The last photo shows a flower with green fruit. This species can also be grown inside the home as long as the air is not too hot and dry. I personally like the looks of a collection of several plants grown together. Over time, as they age and get overhead, there will be some "stair-stepping" of the crowns and this is quite attractive. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F. It needs filtered light, even when tall. We have singles and some multiples of our 5g that are on sale. Both singles and multiples are shown in the first six photos. We also have nice 15g which are overhead in their pots.

REGULAR PRICE LARGE 5G $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE LARGE 5G $110

Just mention this Special for your discount.

DYPSIS LANCEOLATA
NATIVE TO COMORO ISLANDS
USUALLY A SUCKERING PALM

TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 5 GALLON SIZE

This desirable and popular suckering palm species from the Comoro Islands near Madagascar is ideal for filtered light. It produces stems about three inches in diameter and typically gets to a height of about fifteen feet in many years. It usually does sucker but, in my experience, has a limited number of trunks. Sometimes plants remain single trunk – but most sucker. The crown shaft areas of large plants often shown an assortment of colors including silver, brown and green. Leaflets are wide and leaves are a bit keeled. It has prominent rings on the trunk.

Shown here in the first five photos our nice 5g plants which we’re putting on special. Also shown is a 15g and 20g plant from the nursery. Figure cold tolerance is into the mid to upper 20's F. These plants can be mail ordered.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

Mention this Blog Special for you discount when you purchase.

POLYANDROCOCOS CAUDESCENS
AKA ALLAGOPTERA CAUDESCENS

MEDIUM TO LARGE PINNATE PALM
SILVER BACK TO THE LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON PLANTS

This is a single trunk species from Brazil. Polyandrococos is a monotypic genus with only one species. More recently a taxonomist grouped it with Allagoptera. It doesn’t make sense to me because in no way does it resemble an Allagoptera with its entirely different appearance. In any case, it is a very interesting palm. It's height is variable, depending on conditions. However, some trees can get up to thirty feet tall. The trunk is medium sized, about twelve inches thick, with no crown shaft. The leaves are eight to ten feet long and very silver underneath. Photos below demonstrate the silver back to the leaves. It also has gorgeous clusters or orange colored (mature) seeds that are the color of orange sherbet ice cream. See photos below. This is a very rare plant and hard to find. Shown are smaller 5 gallon that we are putting on special. This species likes sun and is cold tolerant to the mid-twenties F. There is a very large specimen in Ventura, California. These are starting to look great.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $110

PTYCHOSPERMA SALOMONENSE
QUICK GROWING, CROWN SHAFTED

SIMILAR TO PTYCHOSPERMA ELEGANS
BUT FASTER GROWING
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE SIZE
This rare pinnate, crown shafted and thin trunked palm tree is from the
Solomon Islands. Most growers comment that this species is very similar appearing to Ptychosperma elegans . It gets a height of up to thirty feet with a four inch thick trunk. Leaves are about five feet long. Leaf color is green. The crown shaft is silver-green. Compared to Ptychosperma elegans, this species is:

faster growing
taller
has wider leaflets
has larger leaves
It is a part day sun species and has a cold tolerance into the mid to upper twenties F. Perhaps one could grow it in full sun right on the coast. It is rarely available. I'm offering nice 5 gallon sized plants on special for ten days.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $100

You must mention this Blog Only Special when ordering to get this discount. These plants are a piece of cake to mail order. Limited availability.

DYPSIS PSAMMOPHILA
RARE MADAGASCAR PALM

JUVENILE GREEN TO RED STEMS
LATER BLACK TRUNKS WITH WHITE CROWN SHAFTS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

This is a small to medium sized, suckering palm from Eastern Madagascar. It gets to a height of about 12 to 15 feet and the leaves are keeled. When young, juvenile leaf stems and the base of the trunk have a prominent red color. Later with age and trunk growth, the trunks turn black or near black in color. At the top of these dark stems are powder white crown shafts. Leaves are green, slightly keeled and gently curved. It is known to be a variable species. Larger plants are quite attractive. This is a filtered light species with cold tolerance into the upper twenties F. range. The 2 gallon on sale are shown in the first 5 photos. The 6th and 7th photo are of large 5g size.

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $65

Note: Just mention this Blog Only Special for this price when you purchase. My thanks to Tobias Spanner from RPS for his photos of the mature plants.

DIOON MEROLAE
SLOW GROWING SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED CYCAD

GRAY-GREEN LEAFLETS
TEN DAY SPECIAL OLDER BAND SIZED PLANTS

This is a slow growing New World cycad species that comes from Mexico. It is very attractive. One of the things that is particularly nice about this species is that the crown size is compact and not that large. For this reason, it fits into a small sunny location in the garden where no other plant would work. Its leaves are a silver-green in color (can be just green) and it holds many leaves. An extremely old plant might have a foot or two of trunk. In the wild there are specimens that are possibly a thousand years old with many meters of trunk, often leaning over toward the ground. But, from a practical point of view, it is a small plant. If you grow this species, you'll probably find that it will take fifty years or more to get three feet of trunk.

Cold hardiness is into the low 20's F. and it prefers full sun except for harsh desert climates. We offer many sizes of this species from seedlings up to trunked plants that are many decades old. For mail orders, the band size is easy to ship. These are not newly germinated seedlings but rather plants with an inch or more of caudex. Most germinated five years ago. If you want larger, we do have citrus pot, 15g and boxed sized plants. I hope that you like this cycad; it's one of my favorites. For upscale landscaping, nothing beats it.

TEN DAY SPECIAL OLDER BAND SIZED PLANS $85

BTW, if these don't sell out, all will be repotted into 5g pots shortly.

ENCEPHALARTOS HILDEBRANDTII
THE MOMBASA CYCAD

MEDIUM SIZED MATURE - LONG GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL OLDER BAND SIZE

This vigorous growing green cycad is native to northern Mozambique and Malawi. In habitat it grows of mountain slopes and in gorges. This is a large, green leafed cycad which is fast growing. It gets to a mature height of about ten feet in many decades with leaves averaging six to eight feet long. Crowns tend to stay erect, although it can become wide with full crowns. Leaflets and petioles are armed with sharp spines, though the leaflets have some flex to them. Thereby making them less pokey than some species. This species is moderately rare among Encephalartos, but is quite rare in cultivation. Female cones are a very pale yellow (almost white), where male cones are yellow. In our area. This species is a fast and easy to grow species. Along the coast it will take half day or full sun. Some sun protection is needed is hot, desert areas. We’re offering older band sized plants on species. These are not new seedlings but rather plants with at least an inch of caudex.

TEN DAY SPECIAL OLDER BAND SIZE $75

Mention this Special when you purchase. Easy to mail order within the U.S. BTW, if these don't sell out, all will be repotted into 5g pots shortly.

ENCEPHALARTOS CERINUS
DWARF SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES

VERY SMALL CYCAD
GRAY-GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This rare dwarf species of South African cycad is quite petite and never gets over four feet tall. Leaves are gray-green to sea foam green and about three feet long. A mature caudex is six to eight inches. This species likes sun and is cold hardy to the low 20's F. This is a rare and sought out species and never inexpensive. We are putting older band size plants (not one leafers) on sale. We do have an assortment of sizes available.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $95
TEN DAY SPECIAL BANDS $80

Just remember to mention this Blog Special for your discount when you purchase.

DIOON EDULE
BLUE QUERETERO VARIETY

RARE FORM - SUN LOVING BLUE CYAD
COLD HARDY INTO THE UPPER TEENS F.
TEN DAY SPECIAL OLDER BAND SIZED PLANTS.

In other posts I’ve discussed Dioon edule, a typically small to medium sized sun-loving cycad from Mexico. There are known to be about six different varieties of this species - all from different localities. The variety on sale here is from the Mexican state of Queretaro. Leaves are typically blue in full bright sun. Leaves are about 4 feet long and leaflets are thin, coming to a pointed end. Mature height after a few decades may be six feet with an trunk height of 18 inches. Cold tolerance is excellent, being able to take cold weather into the teens F. The band size on sale are not new seedlings but rather established older (five year old) plants with an average caudex of 8 inches. These are hard to find and easy to mail order.

REGULAR PRICE THESE OLDER BAND SIZE $95
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE OLDER BAND SIZE $75

Remember to mention this Special for your discount when you purchase. Availability limited. BTW, if these don't sell out, all will be repotted into 5g pots shortly.

PANDANUS FURCATUS
VERY COLD HARDY SPECIES OF PANDANUS

EXTREMELY HARD TO FIND SCREW PINE
TEN DAY SPECIAL YOUNG PLANTS

Pandanus are a Monocot with about 750 species worldwide. Many species are native to Madagascar. They are similar to palm trees but are not true palms. Many species produce prominent roots from the trunk to help support the tree. Pandanus furcatus is known to be quite cold hardy as it is native to northern India and Nepal (as well of nearby other areas). All Pandanus come from the Old World. P. furcatus can get quite tall, even over 40 feet in many decades. Leaves have spiny margins. It can tolerate a freeze. Be aware that most species do not tolerate a freeze. The only other species of Pandanus we grow is P. utilus. Both are extremely difficult to find for sale. We recently obtained some smaller furcatus plants from a private grower. Our band size is shown in the first 6 photos. The specimen is c/o TS at RPS. The 7th and 9th photos are of larger plants we had about a decade ago.

TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $57.50

TRITONIA SPECIES ORANGE
FLAME FREESIA

WINTER - SPRING BLOOMERS
INTENSE LATE WINTER ORANGE CLUSTERS OF FLOWERS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

Tritonia are a type of plant that is related to Iris. The foliage stands about 18 inches. In winter or spring flowers shoot up from the foliage another 18 inches. This species blossom is an intense orange color. I apologize that the photos don't do justice in showing the color. They are native to South Africa and grown from bulbs. Leaves and flat and joined at their bases and blossoms emerge from the leaves. Blossoms are on long stems and bifurcate. They tolerate temperatures well below a freeze and tolerate strong filtered light or coastal sun. Blossoms a very fragrant, especially at night. This is a first time offering. Limited numbers. This is the first time we've offered this species. Note they stop blossoming by April.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON TRITONIA $65

ALOCASIA SUMO
HYBRID ALOCASIA - EXOTIC WITH SOME COLD HARDINESS

JUVENILE PLANTS AVAILABLE ONE GALLON POTS
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

Alocasia sumo is a hybrid species - a cross between A. portora and "purple cloak". The cold hardiness comes from the portora parentage. This is a medium sized hybrid with 3 to 4 foot long leaves that are diamond shaped with a purple hue to the underside of the leaves. Leaves point upwards. There are prominent veins on the leaves. Plant height should be about 6 to 8 feet. It is reported that this species is a "7b" zone species which means it should tolerate a freeze. Obviously, it'd look best in summer. We'd recommend filtered light or limited sun. The juvenile plants on sale are in one gallon pots. They are being grown in an un-heated greenhouse.

TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $30

These can be shipped by mail order. I'm showing with the the first 5 photos this 1 gallon size on sale. Following are some larger nursery plants.

PAVONIA MULTIFLORA
BRAZILIAN CANDLES
RED BLOSSOMS IN SHADE!

AND, BLOSSOMS ALL YEAR LONG!
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

In the past I introduced you to this interesting and super rare plant from Brazil. This species in unique because it grows in the shade, never gets over about eight feet tall, blossoms in the shade and never stops blossoming. Yes, in the dead of winter you'll see red blossoms. And, these trees are prolific. When mature, these trees will have twenty to thirty blossoms year-round. This species is an open appearing plant with foliage and blossoms at the ends of its small trunks. Blossom size is two to three inches in length. Pictures here show them quite well. This species is also very difficult to find. The plants on sale are starter plants. But, grow them on. It’s well worth it.

TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $25

Just mention this Blog Only Special for your discount when you purchase. Of note, small plants should blossom by spring but it’ll take five years or more to get an overhead wide tree. Previous larger plants at the nursery shown below as well.

WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY, 2022

BECCARIOPHOENIX MADAGASCARENSIS
MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE MADAGASCAR PALM

SINGLE TRUNK - GREEN LEAVES
VERY SLOW GROWING SPECIES
SALE ON 20 GALLON PLANTS

It took over a decade for taxonomists to figure out how many species of Beccariophoenix there were in Madagascar. Thirty years ago there were felt to be two. They were distinguished by the presence or absence of "windows" in the juvenile leaves and for quite a while were referred to as "windows" and "no-windows" species by collectors. A third species was subsequently found in the High Plateau area of Madagascar. This newer species has been named Beccariophoenix alfredii.

Beccariophoenix madagascarensis is the original "no windows" species and is a single trunk green palm that gets to a height of about 30 feet. It has leaves that are green, upright and about ten feet long. A full crown has about a dozen such leaves. There is no crown shaft and the trunk is about 16 inches in width. Although not overly tall, the crown of leaves is full. It wants full sun and has a cold tolerance in the 25 to 28 degree F. range. I know of multiple specimens here in the San Diego area. It has been quite difficult nowadays to find with the lack of importation of Madagascar seeds into the U.S. We have a limited number of 20 gallon plants. We're putting them on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 20 GALLON $550
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $475

These 20g plants are about 10-12 years old - super slow growing. They are shown in the first six photos below. The last two photos are by Daryl Occonor AU and TS at RPS. The 7th - 9th photos were taken in San Diego.

CHAMAEDOREA HOOPERIANA
BAMBOO PALM THAT IS TALL AND FULL

STRONG & LARGE 10 & 15 GALLON PLANTS
ALMOST SOLD OUT OF THESE
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE PLANTS

It's not that uncommon that I'll talk about various types of Bamboo Palms. Three decades ago this species (Chamaedorea hooperiana) would have probably been called a variety of Chamaedorea costaricana. But, in his book on Chamaedorea, Don Hodel described this species named after friend and palm enthusiast Louis Hooper. So, it now enjoys its own status as a species. And, it deserved species status because it is quite different than Chamaedorea costaricana. This species is native to high elevation rain forest in the Veracruz area of Mexico. It grows at up to 5000 feet elevation in habitat.

It reaches an overall height of twelve to fourteen feet. It is also quite wide at maturity with many canes. These canes will sometimes lean outwards, making the clump wider. Trunks are about one inch thick. Compared to Chamaedorea costaricana, this species is more full and wide. It's hard to "see through" this species whereas you'd have a better chance of seeing through a costaricana. Both are suckering types of Bamboo Palms. Also, the leaves of costaricana are shorter. Hooperiana leaves are four feet long or more.

Shown here is one of our ten or fifteen gallon plants. This species likes good draining soil, adequate water, filtered light and is cold hardy to the low 20's F. It is an ideal patio plant and can be grown inside the home.

REGULAR PRICE 10 or 15 GALLON $300
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE SIZES $250

Mention this Special to get your discount. BTW, these are not easy to find on the market. I'm showing you a large and old 25g plant at the nursery. The garden photo is by T.S. at RPS.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BAMBOO PALMS

BRAHEA ARMATA
THE MEXICAN BLUE FAN PALM
BLUE HESPER PALM

VERY BLUE COLORED LEAVES – SLOW GROWING
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE PLANTS

This species of blue fan palm is not only known for its intense blue color but also for the fact that it is extremely cold hardy. It goes down to about 16 degrees. It is native to Mexico, specifically to Baja Mexico. It prefers dry heat and is a challenge to grow in humid areas. Mature plants take 30 years or more to reach a height of 20 to 25 feet. The trunks are stout but clean. These 25g plants have nice color and are sun acclimated. They are begging to be planted into someone's garden. This species is also very drought tolerant. The plants we’re putting on special are intensely blue 15g plants, large for their containers. The plants on special are shown in the first four photos. I’m also showing a 25 gallon and a larger boxed plant.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $200
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $175

Just mention this Blog Special to get this nice discount. On the mature trees below, note the prominent blue color of the leaves. This is the hallmark of this species. The 15g size can be mail ordered although it takes a very large box.

BURRETIOKENTIA VIEILLARDII
THE TIGER PALM - STRIPED CROWN SHAFT

ANOTHER SPECIES OF THIS GREAT GENUS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE!

This species of Burretiokentia comes from the highest elevation of the three species of this genus from New Caledonia. It grows at altitudes of almost 4000 feet. It has a thin trunk of about six inches and can get to sixty feet tall. It has a prominently bulging crown shaft that is known for it's diagonally dark markings. Thus, the name "Tiger Palm". The crown shaft is reddish-brown in color and has prominent striations as shown below. Younger trunks are green with rings unless exposed to sun.

The crown of this species is full and round with upright and arching leaves. Leaf length is about eight feet, leaflet length is three feet and the leaves are flat in cross section. Some would argue that this species is the prettiest of all Burretiokentia. Culture is similar to the other Burretiokentia, but I'd give it more shade when young and let it "grow into the sun" rather than starting it in direct sunlight. As with all New Caledonian species, ample water is crucial. Under-watered plants do not do well. Although limited, we do offer various sizes for sale. I've shown not only nursery plants here but also some mature specimens. We're putting our 5g on Special

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $110

Remember: Mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase.

BURRETIOKENTIA HAPALA
A GREAT NEW CALEDONIAN PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SUPER ATTRACTIVE CROWN SHAFTED PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL FIVE GALLON SIZE

Among palm enthusiasts, almost any species from New Caledonia is sought after. This species falls into that group. It is a crown shafted palm with a rather thin trunk of about eight inches that gets to a height of approximately 25 to 30 feet. It has an intriguing brown color to the stems and crown shaft area. It does not have the stripes you'd see with the Burretiokentia vieilllardii. Cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F, or perhaps a bit less. So, it's comparable to a King Palm. If you can grow a King, you can grow this species. One of the keys to culture is not letting the ground it's in go dry. This species, like Chambeyronia, responds to water. Shown below is the five gallon size that I'm putting on special. I'd recommend morning sun, a few hours of mid-day sun, or bright filtered light. It's a great species to grow.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON SIZE $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $100

Remember: Mention this Special for you discount.

RAVENEA HILDEBRANDTII
SEMI-DWARF PINNATE COMORO ISLAND PALM

VERY HARD TO FIND SPECIES – TO EIGHT FEET TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This endangered semi-dwarf palm species is from the Comoro Islands, close to Madagascar. It has a very thin trunk. Although reports of twenty foot palms in habitat exist, in most domestic gardens don't expect anything over ten feet in a lifetime. Trunk diameter is two to three inches. Leaf size is three to four feet. Most have grown this species in part day sun or filtered light. However, I have one customer growing it well in full sun. Cold hardiness is in the mid-twenties F.

Below I am showing our offering of 5 gallon plants which we have available and are putting on a Ten Day Special. This palm does fine in Southern California and is the ultimate of pinnate leaf palms where "short" is needed. I've shown below several shots of mature garden specimens to illustrate this species height.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $110

Remember: Mention this Special for this reduced price when you buy!

ARCHONTOPHOENIX BEATRICAE
PROBABLY A VARIETY OF A. ALEXANDRAE
SWOLLEN BASE OF TRUNK

STEP OFFS AT THE GROWTH RINGS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

Archontophoenix Beatricae has always been a bit of a problem for taxonomists - whether it's truly a species or a variety. Some feel it's a variety of A. alexandrae. I won't get into that argument here. But, the plants shown below came from seed from a A. beatricae. Note the very swollen trunk base. It flairs out. It is also known to have notches or "step offs" at the growth rings. I don't have a good photo close up of the latter. These plants need to be repotted or go into the ground. They can take coastal sun. Cold hardiness is about 25 degrees F. The 5g size singles are on sale but we may have a few multiples we'd offer at the same price.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $100

Remember: mention this Special to get your discount when you purchase!

BRAHEA BRANDEGEEI
A TALL, QUICK GROWING BRAHEA

GREEN LEAVES, SORT OF WISPY
THIN TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

Rarely do I have this hard to find palm and even more rarely do I put it on special. It's one of the hardest of the Braheas to locate. It can reach heights of over 80 feet and is native to Baja California, Mexico. Trunks are thin. Crowns of leaves are open. Leaf color is typically green as shown here. One of the best places to see this species is in Balboa Park, San Diego, less than a half mile from where I live. It wants full sun, tolerates wind and dry conditions and is a good growing species. Despite its beauty, its a solid grower and a fine addition to any garden. I’m offering band sized seedlings on sale - see first four photos. The fifth & Sixth photo are of a 15g plant.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $47.50

It'd be piece of cake to mail order. BTW, the plants are about one leaf larger than shown here from these older photos. Remember, mention this Special!

DYPSIS ARENARUM
THE SAND PALM

SIMILAR TO DYPSIS LUTESCENS
BUT WHITE CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This thin trunked suckering palm is native to Madagascar where, in the northeastern area, it lives close to the sandy beaches. Thus the common name. It has green curved leaves with small leaflets. The tubular crown shaft is white and the thin trunk is ringed. It is distinguished from the Areca Palm by it's reddish petioles and blue-green leaflets. It typically forms a clump of four to five individual plants. It tolerates coastal sun and is cold hardy in the mid to upper 20's F. It is as rare species. We rarely have it for sale.

TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $50

SERENOA REPENS
SHORTER CLUMPING FAN PALM
SOUGHT AFTER BLUE FORM

VERY COLD HARDY, SUN LOVING
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This suckering fan palm is native to the southeastern gulf states of the U.S. and some adjacent island areas. Native habitats even extend up into the Carolinas. It gets to a mature height of six to eight feet. It loves sun and heat. Leaf color varies from blue to green or somewhere in-between. The plants on sale today are in band containers and oversized – about 6 to 7 years old. Yes, they are slow growing. We do have larger, but on this batch of bands we are offering a very good price. It has smaller sized leaves. It forms a clump over time. The seeds for these came from blue parents. Of note, young plants never show blue until larger and out in direct sun. Cold hardiness is into the upper teens F.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $55
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE BAND SIZE $47.50

Remember: Mention this Blog Special for your discount

HOW THIS BLOG WORKS New plant arrivals, desirable species and requested plants included New species described every few days, most recent posts at top of thread Jump to older Blog Threads from links below. Blog discusses palm trees, cycads and tropical plants	LEARN ABOUT PALM TREES AND CYCADS Brief comments given below. We trim this thread frequently to maintain 30 day run. Information on sun requirements and cold tolerance given if available Pictures of mature specimens shown when possible In depth posts with lots of photos on some species
PRICING ON PLANTS SHOWN On some plants, pricing given with the post You can use quick link for all our prices: PALM PRICES OR CYCAD PRICES	SPECIALS AND SALES Specials below apply to drop in visits or mail orders. Photos are representative. All specials have a termination date and always expire when the current thread expires Ten Day Specials expire ten days after date of posting and are marked in red color For any sale prices, you must mention all Blog Only Sale Prices when purchasing
DIRECTIONS TO NURSERY CLICK HERE for printable copy of DIRECTIONS 450 Ocean view Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024 Hours: M-Sat, 9AM to 4PM	CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 619 291 4605 Email: phil@junglemusic.net or click here FOR INSTANT EMAIL TO Phil
MAIL ORDERS Most orders sent in boxes with Fed Exp. No international shipping. Plants shipped in pots with soil. For larger plants use trucking services.	DELIVERIES (larger orders or larger plants) To almost anywhere within the continental U.S. Quite affordable. We deliver or we utilize independent trucking services on any size plants.

CARYOTA GIGAS "THAI MOUNTAIN GIANT", "KING KONG PALM", "BLACK STEM FISHTAIL"

COCONUT QUEEN PALM DESIRABLE SYAGRUS HYBRID ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WHEN MATURE

WODYETIA BIFURCATA THE FOXTAIL PALM

ARENGA ENGLERI THE DWARF SUGAR PALM

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX A SEMI-DWARF TYPE OF BAMBOO PALM

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

CHAMAEDOREA OREOPHILA RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

CHAMAEDOREA PLUMOSA THE BABY QUEEN PALM

KENTIOPSIS PYRIFORMIS SUPER RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

CARYOTA URENS THE GIANT MOUNTAIN FISHTAIL FAST GROWING - SUPER TALL

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII A BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

LEPIDOZAMIA HOPEI LEPIDOZAMIA SPECIES WITH WIDER LEAFLETS

DICKSONIA ANTARCTICA THE TASMANIAN TREE FERN

DICHORISANDRA THYRIFLORA THE BLUE GINGER - HARD TO FIND

CHAMAEDOREA CATARACTARUM THE CAT PALM

DIOON SPINULOSUM A CUSTOMER FAVORITE CYCAD

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

CYPHOPHOENIX ELEGANS BEAUTIFUL SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM NEW CALEDONIA

DICTYOSPERMA ALBUM VAR RUBRUM PRINCESS PALM, HURRICANE PALM

LIVISTONA MUELLERI RARE AUSTRALIAN FAN PALM

LIVISTONA SARIBUS LARGE, DARK & HOOKED SPINES

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

CHAMAEDOREA KLOTZSCHIANA SINGLE TRUNK MEXICAN CHAMAEDOREA

PRITCHARDIA MARTII HAWAIIAN FAN PALM

COPERNICIA PRUNIFERA THE CARNAUBA WAX PALM

CHAMAEDOREA COSTARICANA ONE OF THE BEST BAMBOO PALMS

DYPSIS DECARYI THE TRIANGLE PALM

ZAMIA FURFURACEA THE CARDBOARD CYCAD COMPACT GREEN DWARF CYCAD WITH NO SPINES

ENCEPHALARTOS PAUCIDENTATUS MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

CYCAS PECTINATA TALL GREEN ASIAN CYCAD

CYCAS GUIZHOUENSIS RARE SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED CHINESE CYCAD

PHILODENDRON SELLOUM AKA PHILODEDRON BIPINNATIFIDUM

ALOCASIA WENTII SEMI-DWARF TROPICAL ELEPHANT EAR PLANT

REX BEGONIA - FIREWOMAN UNUSUAL MULTI-COLORED LEAVES

VARIEGATED ZINGIBER ZERUMBET RED BLOSSOM AWAPUHI SHAPOO GINGER

BILBERGIA CLUSTERS WITH CASCADING PINK BLOSSOMS IN BLOSSOM RIGHT NOW

MEMORIES OF MARDI DARIAN

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS TALL PALM WITH BLUE-GREEN LEAVES

RHOPALOSTYLIS HYBRID SAPIDA X BAUERI

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

DYPSIS BARONII RED BASE FORM – “RED STEM”

RAVENEA RIVULARIS THE MAJESTY PALM

DYPSIS SAINTELUCEI SINGLE TRUNK - WHITE CROWN SHAFT NATIVE TO MADAGASCAR

HYOPHORBE VERSCHAFELTII THE SPINDLE PALM WITH ITS CIGAR SHAPED TRUNK

CHAMAEDOREA ARENBERGIANA EXOTIC THIN TRUNKED SHADE PALM

DYPSIS SPECIES ORANGE CRUSH A BEAUTIFUL DYPSIS WITH NO SPECIES NAME

SABAL MINOR THE DWARF PALMETTO

HOWEA FORSTERIANA THE KENTIA PALM

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

CERATOZAMIA MEXICANA GREEN CYCAD FROM MEXICO BLOWOUT SALE CONING SIZED PLANTS

SUPER UNUSUAL ENCEPHALARTOS HYBRID F2 HYBRID WITH E. WOODII POLLEN

MACROZAMIA RIEDLEI RARE AUSTRALIAN CYCAD

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFFSKYANA A "USER FRIENDLY" LARGE CYCAD

JACOBINIA CARNEA (JUSTICA C.) BRAZILIAN PLUME, FLAMINGO PLANT PRETTY, PINK AND DWARF

CALATHEA SPECIES - PINK BLOSSOMS A TYPE OF PRAYER PLANT

UNKNOWN FICUS SPECIES NICE 15 GALLON TREES AVAILABLE

AMARYLLIS IN BLOSSOM NAKED LADY PLANTS

PEAT MOSS VERSUS SPHAGNUM MOSS

ENCEPHALARTOS HORRIDUS SUPER BLUE SO AFRICAN CYCAD

MULE PALM BUTIA X SYAGRUS (QUEEN PALM)

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX THE NEEDLE PALM

RHOPALOSTYLIS BAUERI NORFOLK ISLAND PALM

SABAL RIVERSIDE MEDIUM SIZE, THICK TRUNKED GREEN FAN PALM

SUN TOLERANT, COLD HARDY TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

LIVISTONA NITIDA TALL PALM WITH THINNER TRUNK

DYPSIS LUCUBENSIS TALL, THIN TRUNKED PINNATE PALM

TRACHYCARPUS WAGNERIANUS A MORE PETITE SPECIES OF THE WINDMILL PALM

BRAHEA EDULIS THE GUADALUPE FAN PALM

ARCHONTOPHOENIX "TERACARPA" THE BEST KING PALM EVER!

RAVENEA SAMBIRANENSIS RARE SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

DYPSIS ALBOFARINOSA CLUMPING MADAGASCAR PALM WHITE CROWN SHAFTS - VERY RARE

SABAL ETONIA SMALL FAN PALM NATIVE TO FLORIDA

SABAL LOUISIANA THE LOUISIANA PALMETTO PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS LEBOMBOENSIS MEDIUM SIZED SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

ENCEPHALARTOS WHITELOCKII LARGER CENTRAL AFRICAN CYCAD

ALOCASIA SUMO HYBRID ALOCASIA - EXOTIC WITH SOME COLD HARDINESS

CARYOTA GIGAS
"THAI MOUNTAIN GIANT", "KING KONG PALM", "BLACK STEM FISHTAIL"

COCONUT QUEEN PALM
DESIRABLE SYAGRUS HYBRID
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WHEN MATURE

WODYETIA BIFURCATA
THE FOXTAIL PALM

ARENGA ENGLERI
THE DWARF SUGAR PALM

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX
A SEMI-DWARF TYPE OF BAMBOO PALM

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA
LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

CHAMAEDOREA OREOPHILA
RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA
A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

CHAMAEDOREA PLUMOSA
THE BABY QUEEN PALM

KENTIOPSIS PYRIFORMIS
SUPER RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

CARYOTA URENS
THE GIANT MOUNTAIN FISHTAIL
FAST GROWING - SUPER TALL

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
A BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

LEPIDOZAMIA HOPEI
LEPIDOZAMIA SPECIES WITH WIDER LEAFLETS

DICKSONIA ANTARCTICA
THE TASMANIAN TREE FERN

DICHORISANDRA THYRIFLORA
THE BLUE GINGER - HARD TO FIND

CHAMAEDOREA CATARACTARUM
THE CAT PALM

DIOON SPINULOSUM
A CUSTOMER FAVORITE CYCAD

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA
A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

CYPHOPHOENIX ELEGANS
BEAUTIFUL SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM NEW CALEDONIA

DICTYOSPERMA ALBUM VAR RUBRUM
PRINCESS PALM, HURRICANE PALM

LIVISTONA MUELLERI
RARE AUSTRALIAN FAN PALM

LIVISTONA SARIBUS
LARGE, DARK & HOOKED SPINES

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

CHAMAEDOREA KLOTZSCHIANA
**SINGLE TRUNK MEXICAN *CHAMAEDOREA***

PRITCHARDIA MARTII
HAWAIIAN FAN PALM

COPERNICIA PRUNIFERA
THE CARNAUBA WAX PALM

CHAMAEDOREA COSTARICANA
ONE OF THE BEST BAMBOO PALMS

DYPSIS DECARYI
THE TRIANGLE PALM

ZAMIA FURFURACEA
THE CARDBOARD CYCAD
COMPACT GREEN DWARF CYCAD WITH NO SPINES

ENCEPHALARTOS PAUCIDENTATUS
MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

CYCAS PECTINATA
TALL GREEN ASIAN CYCAD

CYCAS GUIZHOUENSIS
RARE SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED CHINESE CYCAD

PHILODENDRON SELLOUM
AKA PHILODEDRON BIPINNATIFIDUM

ALOCASIA WENTII
SEMI-DWARF TROPICAL ELEPHANT EAR PLANT

REX BEGONIA - FIREWOMAN
UNUSUAL MULTI-COLORED LEAVES

VARIEGATED ZINGIBER ZERUMBET
RED BLOSSOM AWAPUHI SHAPOO GINGER

BILBERGIA CLUSTERS WITH CASCADING PINK BLOSSOMS
IN BLOSSOM RIGHT NOW

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA
LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS
TALL PALM WITH BLUE-GREEN LEAVES

RHOPALOSTYLIS HYBRID
SAPIDA X BAUERI

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

DYPSIS BARONII
RED BASE FORM – “RED STEM”

RAVENEA RIVULARIS
THE MAJESTY PALM

DYPSIS SAINTELUCEI
SINGLE TRUNK - WHITE CROWN SHAFT
NATIVE TO MADAGASCAR

HYOPHORBE VERSCHAFELTII
THE SPINDLE PALM WITH ITS CIGAR SHAPED TRUNK

CHAMAEDOREA ARENBERGIANA
EXOTIC THIN TRUNKED SHADE PALM

DYPSIS SPECIES ORANGE CRUSH
A BEAUTIFUL DYPSIS WITH NO SPECIES NAME

SABAL MINOR
THE DWARF PALMETTO

HOWEA FORSTERIANA
THE KENTIA PALM

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

CERATOZAMIA MEXICANA
GREEN CYCAD FROM MEXICO
BLOWOUT SALE CONING SIZED PLANTS

SUPER UNUSUAL ENCEPHALARTOS HYBRID
F2 HYBRID WITH E. WOODII POLLEN

MACROZAMIA RIEDLEI
RARE AUSTRALIAN CYCAD

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFFSKYANA
A "USER FRIENDLY" LARGE CYCAD

JACOBINIA CARNEA (JUSTICA C.)
BRAZILIAN PLUME, FLAMINGO PLANT
PRETTY, PINK AND DWARF

CALATHEA SPECIES - PINK BLOSSOMS
A TYPE OF PRAYER PLANT

UNKNOWN FICUS SPECIES
NICE 15 GALLON TREES AVAILABLE

AMARYLLIS IN BLOSSOM
NAKED LADY PLANTS

ENCEPHALARTOS HORRIDUS
SUPER BLUE SO AFRICAN CYCAD

MULE PALM
BUTIA X SYAGRUS (QUEEN PALM)

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX
THE NEEDLE PALM

RHOPALOSTYLIS BAUERI
NORFOLK ISLAND PALM

SABAL RIVERSIDE
MEDIUM SIZE, THICK TRUNKED GREEN FAN PALM

SUN TOLERANT, COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

LIVISTONA NITIDA
TALL PALM WITH THINNER TRUNK

DYPSIS LUCUBENSIS
TALL, THIN TRUNKED PINNATE PALM

TRACHYCARPUS WAGNERIANUS
A MORE PETITE SPECIES OF THE WINDMILL PALM

BRAHEA EDULIS
THE GUADALUPE FAN PALM

ARCHONTOPHOENIX "TERACARPA"
THE BEST KING PALM EVER!

RAVENEA SAMBIRANENSIS
RARE SINGLE TRUNK PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

DYPSIS ALBOFARINOSA
CLUMPING MADAGASCAR PALM
WHITE CROWN SHAFTS - VERY RARE

SABAL ETONIA
SMALL FAN PALM NATIVE TO FLORIDA

SABAL LOUISIANA
THE LOUISIANA PALMETTO PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS LEBOMBOENSIS
MEDIUM SIZED SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

ENCEPHALARTOS WHITELOCKII
LARGER CENTRAL AFRICAN CYCAD

ALOCASIA SUMO
HYBRID ALOCASIA - EXOTIC WITH SOME COLD HARDINESS

THE MOOSEHORN FERN
PLATYCERUM SUPERBUM

EPIDENDRON ORCHID
PINK BLOSSOM