Nursery Hours:
Monday -Saturday 9AM-4PM

Phone: (619) 291-4605
TO EMAIL PHIL OR STAFF, CLICK HERE

Delivery for palm trees and cycads is available

Delivery is
available!

All major credit cards accepted

Home | Site Map | Palm Trees Directory | Cycads Directory | Directions

PALM TREE, CYCAD & TROPICAL PLANT BLOG
PLANTS FOR SALE

SPECIAL SALE ITEMS

One of the Best Selections of Rare Plants Anywhere!

NURSERY LOCATION - ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA
YES, WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS TO THE PUBLIC
MONDAY - SATURDAY
9AM - 4PM

NEW PLANT ARRIVALS & DISCOUNT PLANTS
PALM TREE, CYCAD AND TROPICAL PLANT BLOG

To see our more condensed blog, click here for "Short Blog"

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERYTHING

THIS PAGE HAS CURRENT POSTS FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2023

REMINDER: POSTS HERE UPDATED EVERY SEVERAL DAYS, SO RETURN
FREQUENTLY/ LOTS OF OUR FAMOUS BLOG ONLY "TEN DAY SPECIALS" BELOW.

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.

WE ANSWER ALL EMAILS. CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US: EMAIL PHIL

CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY
MORE FEATURED PLANTS ADDED EVERY FEW DAYS.

YOU'RE AT CURRENT BLOG THREAD FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2023

See previous months postings at end of this page

Click Balloons to see ONLY ACTIVE SPECIALS
Phil Bergman, Blog author

New Expanded Hours: Mon-Sat, 9AM to 4PM

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

SIGN UP NEWSLETTER

CUSTOMER FACE MASKS ARE PRESENTLY NOT REQUIRED AT JUNGLE MUSIC

FRIDAY, 3 FEBRUARY, 2023

CYPHOPHOENIX NUCELE
RARE, ELEGANT, THIN TRUNK PALM

UPRIGHT LEAVES
FROM NEW CALEDONIA

Shown here is a gorgeous example of one of the more beautiful of the New Caledonian palms. Cyphophoenix nucele is from Lifou Island, gets to a height of twenty-five to thirty feet and takes strong filtered light or part day sun in most coastal areas. It has a thin trunk with lots of silver color. Leaves tend to but upright as opposed to C. elegans where the leaves are more arched. The last three pictures are from the late Mardi Darian's garden in Vista, CA. You'll notice how healthy it looks in strong filtered light. The nursery plant shown is a 15g but we also have 5g plants. I'd estimate the cold tolerance into the mid to upper twenties F. Very limited numbers are available. This plant can be shipped or delivered if needed. It was grown from seed and is about eight years old.

TRACHYCARPUS FORTUNEI
THE WINDMILL PALM
ONE OF THE MOST COLD HARDY PALMS

MEDIUM SIZED FAN PALM WITH HAIRY TRUNK

Trachyarpus fortunei is the most commonly available and commonly grown of the Windmill Palms. It is of Chinese origin . It is referred to as the Chinese Windmill Palm, the Windmill Palm, or the Chusan Palm. Note how the term "Windmill Palm" can refer to this particular species or to the genus as a whole. It is not uncommon to see it growing in colder areas of the United States, southern Europe, the Mediterranean and southern portions of Australia and Africa. Cold tolerance is between five and ten degrees F.

To get an overhead canopy of leaves may take one about ten years. Mature, they get to a height of 20 feet or more. The actual trunk diameter is typically six to ten inches. The leaves are typically about three feet in diameter and have variable division of the segments. Leaves are green on the upper side and below, but it is not uncommon for one can see a bit of blue discoloration to the underside of the leaf. Distal leaf segments can flex downward toward the ground.

Shown below are some very large 25 gallon plants that I can obtain for customers. Leaves are overhead in the pot and the trunks are thick and healthy. They have at least four feet of hairy trunk. At present, limited numbers are available.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX "TERACARPA"
THE BEST KING PALM EVER!

SO, WHAT IS IT?
ARE THEY EVER ON SALE?
YES, 10 DAY SPECIAL 25 GALLON 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? See below. We're putting 25 gallon on sale.

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 25G $495 (singles)
TEN DAY SPECIAL 25G $425

Remember: mention this Special to get your discount when you purchase! This size is too large for common carriers and would need delivery or your picking it up.

BURRETIOKENTIA VIEILLARDII
THE TIGER PALM - STRIPED CROWN SHAFT

ANOTHER SPECIES OF THIS GREAT GENUS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G 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 the 15g on Special. They are of nice size.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15GALLON $225

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

BURRETIOKENTIA VIEILLARDII
THE TIGER PALM - STRIPED CROWN SHAFT

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

FOR SPECIES DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $120

VEITCHIA (ADONIDIA) MERRILLII HYBRID
POTENTIAL TO GROW SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE GROWN HERE

VERY EXCITING – ONLY NURSERY TO OFFER THIS PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 15 GALLON SIZE

There is an interesting story behind the plants I'm showing you here. About five years ago, we got some seeds from a botanical garden that were labeled as Veitchia merrillii (aka Adonidia merrillii). This palm resembles a miniature Royal Palm, so it is a popular choice by enthusiasts who see it in tropical areas. Rarely does it get over twenty feet tall and many people like this smaller size. But, native to the Philippines, you might expect it'd be too tropical and cold sensitive to grow here. Well, that is the case and I don't know of one mature tree in Southern California.

The seeds we got were thought to be pure Veitchia merrillii. The seeds looked to be the right size for merrillii - the anticipated small size as you see with this species. Seeds of other Veitchia species are much larger. Of the fifty or so seeds that germinated, about half died off quickly in our greenhouses the first winter. We figured - that makes sense - cold sensitive. But, to our surprise, the other half grew quite well. As they got bigger, it was apparent that they looked nothing like a true species Veitchia merrillii we have grown in the past. The prominent speckling and dark color to the leaf stems was not expected - merrillii is plain green usually. And, there is a diversity of appearance of the various plants we were now growing.

We figure these are a hybrid of a Veitchia merrillii crossed with something else. Most likely it's with another species of Veitchia that are more cold tolerant. This is to our customer's benefit as this means perhaps they can grow these and end up with a smaller palm that resembles V. merrillii. We have a limited number of these plants left. They’ve gotten bigger and all have survived a freeze at our nursery. So, maybe here’s your chance to grow a “Veitchia merrillii hybrid”. We're putting our 15 gallon size on special but only have a few.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON THIS HYBRID $250
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 15 GALLON $225

Remember: Mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase. Obviously, I have no mature garden plants to show you as this is such a rare hybrid. But, I’m showing in the last row of photos the Veitchia merrillii and finally the Veitchia arecina. This is probably your last chance to get one of these hybrids.




This and next photo Veitchia merrillii		Veitchia merrillii

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX
THE NEEDLE PALM

WORLD'S MOST COLD HARDY PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL OLD FIFTEEN GALLON SIZE

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. One photo below shows the spines. 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. The common name of “Needle Palm” comes from the fact that the stubby trunks have long dark colored needles – reminiscent of a knitting needle. This is a very slow growing species that slowly crawls the ground by suckering. These are rare to find for sale. We're putting very old 15g on special.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $275
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 15G $240

I only have a few of these. They are massively big for a 15g plant and suckering like crazy. If you want a more affordable size, we do have 5g plants for sale. The 15 gallon are shown in the first 7 photos below.

ARENGA ENGLERI
SUCKERING COLD HARDY PALM FROM JAPAN AND TAIWAN

NEVER GETS OVERLY LARGE – COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 15 GALLON SIZE

This suckering Asian palm rarely gets over ten feet tall and has medium width leaflets that are jagged at their apical ends. The underside of the leaflets are silver. But, from afar, it looks like a green palm. It is thick with stems because it suckers heavily and cannot be seen through. Therefore, it's a good species to block visibility. Growth rate is slow. Cold tolerance is into the upper teens F. Flowers are very fragrant but seeds contain a substance which makes the skin itch. The 15g on special are nicely sized for their pots.

REGULAR PRICE 15G SIZE $235
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE $215

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

GAUSSIA GOMEZ-POMPAE
BIGGER AND TALLER THAN GAUSSIA MAYA

PINNATE LEAVES, NO CROWN SHAFT
VERY RARE - NEW TO CULTIVATION
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZED PLANTS

This is a fairly recently described single trunk pinnate palm is from southern Mexico. There it lives among rugged outcroppings in mountainous areas. Little is known about its domestic culture. It gets to heights of over 30 feet with an 8 to 10 inch thick trunk. It has a clean trunk and no crown shaft. Leaves are green and fairly straight. The mature photos below were taken in Miami, Florida where it seems to be doing fine. I would anticipate that it wont' take temperatures much below a freeze. But, if you can grow G. maya, I'd suspect you can grow this species. These plants are a first for the market and the first batch of this species we've ever offered.

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

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 $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE $115

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

SYAGRUS KELLYANA
SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED PINNATE PALM
A RARE AND SMALLER ALTERNATIVE TO THE QUEEN PALM

FULL CROWN OF GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 5 GALLON SIZE

This single trunk Syagrus is native to Brazil and only gets to heights of ten to twenty feet. The trunk is thin and clean over time. Leaves are somewhat plumose and green. Fruits are fairly large and yellow in color. Some comment that is is similar to S. picrophylla. It is a full sun palm with an, as of yet, unknown cold tolerance. I suspect it'll go into the twenties for sure. It is a newly introduced species so there's little cultural information. Note on the mature palm pictures that the leaves down go much below the spherical circle of crown leaves. I find this very appealing. I’m offering 5 gallon plants on special. They are hug for their pots. This is a very rare species to find. Mature plant photos below are by Palmpedia, TS at RPS and Paul Craft - PalmNut.

REGULAR PRICE HUGE 5 GALLON $145
TEN DAY SPECIAL HUGE 5 GALLON $125

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special price when purchasing.

RHOPALOSTYLIS CHEESEMANII
BEAUTIFUL GREEN CROWN SHAFTED PALM

TOLERATES A FAIR AMOUNT OF COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

Rhopalostylis cheesemanii is from Roul Island in the Kermadecs. 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. It is a green leafed, single trunk pinnate palm with a crown shaft. Opposed to R. baueri, it has been known to do quite well in full sun right along the coast. One of our staff, Rusty, swears by this species and thinks it's far superior to other Rhopalostylis. In his yard it has grown at a phenomenal rate. The pictures here show the darker petioles compared to R. sapida. I have limited photos of larger garden plants. Be aware that many people feel this should be considered a sub-variety of Rhopalostylis baueri. Growth rate of this species is medium at best. It is a stunning palm when mature. The 5 gallon size can be shipped.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $115

The 8th photo below is by Cloudforest.com website.

CHAMAEDOREA GEONOMIFORMIS
SINGLE TRUNK, DWARF UNDERSTORY PALM

PREFERS FILTERED LIGHT – NEVER TALL
SIMPLE UNDIVIDED LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZED PLANTS

This species has a native distribution that spreads from Southern Mexico down throughout Central America. There are some minor differences in plants from the various areas. Chamaedorea geonomiformis is single trunk and has a simple, bifed leaf as shown here. It's mature height ranges from two feet up to about five feet tall. When trying to identify this species, particularly look at the leaf size, shape, length and width. You'll note that the leaves of this species are longer than they are wide. Compare this to C. ernesti-agusti below that has very wide leaflets. Leaf color is green. Vertical growth is slow. We only have a few of these for sale. I'd estimate cold hardiness into the upper teens perhaps but most assuredly to the mid-twenties. These plants were grown from seeds from Don Hodel’s personal plants. This species does not like direct sun.

Also, be aware that this is a rare and desirable species and seldom seen for sale. We're putting our band size on sale. Very easy to mail order, weather permitting.

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

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase. This size can be mail ordered.

CHAMAEDOREA COSTARICANA
ONE OF THE BEST BAMBOO PALMS

SUCKERING UNDERSTORY PALM - MEDIUM HEIGHT
EASY TO GROW - A GREAT INTERIOR PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE BAND SIZE SEEDLINGS

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 diameer 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 lower 20's F.

Below I'm showing in the first six photos our starter plants in band size. But, they are not small. Most are 18 to 24 inches tall. Some have started to sucker. We do have larger sizes available. The bands would be easy to mail order. BTW, this species is fairly difficult to find. The 8th photo is c/o TS at RPS.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $55

SABAL PALMETTO
THE PALMETTO PALM

MEDIUM SIZED COLD HARDY GREEN FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE BAND SIZED PLANTS

This medium to large fan palm is native to the United States and an assortment of Caribbean islands including Cuba. It's native habitat extends as far north as North Carolina. It is amazingly salt tolerant. In Florida you can see it right up into the coastal dunes. I've seen plants just a few feet from the bay at Tampa Bay and thriving. It is green in color and has a trunk that is of variable heights, ranging from ten feet to up to eighty feet – but it’s rare to see them over about 30 feet. This is a durable, hardy palm with obvious salt tolerance. It's cold hardiness is into the mid teens F. and it prefers full sun for optimal growth. However, it does tolerate partial shade. Also, it can tolerate desert conditions if given adequate water. Trunks have a "criss-cross" pattern of attached leaf bases. Later the palm sheds these to show a fairly smooth appearing trunk. With my comments above, you'd think there are lots of these available in CA. This is not the case; they are hard to find. The bands on sale are very nicely sized. Finally, for those of you displaced from South Carolina, you can bring a little of your state to your present location by growing this palm. Sabal palmetto is your state tree. We can ship one right to your displaced location. These are easy to mail order.

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

CHAMAEDOREA ADSCENDENS
SUPER RARE UNDERSTORY PALM WITH SATIN SHEEN TO LEAFLETS

DWARF SPECIES - SUPER DIFFICULT TO FIND
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZED SEEDLINGS

This is a solitary trunk dwarf species from Guatemala and Belize. It was only introduced into the trade in the past two decades. Stems are thin and a white-tan color. Leaves are blue green with an iridescent sheen. Leaves are pinnate and sometimes simple, especially when young. Height of this palm is usually under three feet, but plants in the wild have been reported to be five to six feet. It is cold hardy to about a freeze and prefers filtered light. Planting in small colonies is very attractive. This species is almost impossible to find. We got our seeds from a famous botanist, so I know they are correctly produced without hybridization. The seedlings on sale have four leaves and are two years old. They can easily be mail ordered. They’d make a great interior or patio plant as well.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $65

Limited supplies are available. Don’t miss out on this great species. The last row of photos shows a mature Nursery specimen in fruit. Note the glaucous color and sheen to the leaflets.

DIOON EDULE VARIETY JICALA HIDALGO
MEXICAN CYCAD WITH STIFF GRAY-GREEN LEAVES

LOVES HEAT AND SUN - VERY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE BAND SIZED PLANTS

This is a species of Dioon edule that has a natural habitat near the city of Jicala in the state of Hidalo, Mexico. There it lives in a dry and hot environment. This is a medium sized cycad with about four foot long leaves that are flat and stiff with blue to gray-green leaflets. Mature height should end up at about head height or a bit more. It wants full sun and is cold hardy into the upper teens. The band size on sale are about six years old and begging to go into a larger pot or the garden. Although the normal Dioon edule is more common, this variety as of today is not. These are easy to mail order within the U.S.

REGULAR PRICE LARGE BAND SIZE THIS SPECIES $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE THIS SPECIES $70

ENCEPHALARTOS CERINUS
DWARF SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES

VERY SMALL CYCAD
GRAY-GREEN LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL YOUNGER 5 GALLON 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. Thi 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 our 5 gallon on sale. The plant shown has a one inch caudex. We do have an assortment of other sizes available. Our 5g are easy to mail order.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON THIS SIZE SIZE $165
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON THIS SIZE $135

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

DIOON SPINULOSUM
A CUSTOMER FAVORITE CYCAD

FILTERED LIGHT OR COASTAL SUN
IN GARDEN OR INSIDE THE HOME
30 YEAR OLD SPECIMEN JUST AVAILABLE
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL CYCAD

This species of a green cycad can be grown in the garden or as an interior palm. We just got in from a private collection a 30 year old plant in a 25 gallon pot. The caudex is about 7 inches wide and 24 inches tall. Planted in your garden this specimen will be about 8 feet tall in a few decades. In a pot it will grow more slowly. Dioon spinulosum is native to tropical areas in Mexico where it grows in limestone forests. Trunks don't get overly thick, typically a maximum of 12 to 14 inches thick. Leaves are green and mildly armed. Leaf length is about six feet. My preference is to grow this species in filtered light or several hours of sun. Right on the coast some grow it in full sun but the leaves are a more limy green if you do this. Cold tolerance is into the mid twenties F. If you grow it indoors give it ample light but it doesn’t require direct sun.

At the nursery we usually have a good selection of this species from small to large. Note that we have both smaller and larger plants of this species for sale as well. This includes plants from one gallon up to boxed size. For mail orders, preferable would be a 5g or 15g plant as this specimen shown here is way too big for shipping – personal delivery would be needed.

REGULAR PRICE THIS 30 YEAR OLD SPECIMEN CYCAD $1680
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL CYCAD $1450

DIOON SPINULOSUM
A CUSTOMER FAVORITE CYCAD

FILTERED LIGHT IN GARDEN OR INSIDE THE HOME
GREEN LEAVES, ELEGANT
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE ONE GALLON - CAUDEX 4 INCHES OR MORE

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE ONE GALLON $95.

This size easy to mail order. Also can be grown inside the home.

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 $125

I have limited numbers available. They'll not last long.

COLOCASIA ESCULENTE "MOJITO"
GREEN ELEPHANT EAR PLANT WITH SPLOTCHES OF BLACK ON THE LEAVES

MEDIUM SIZE - TOLERATES FULL OR PART COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

This variety of Elephant Ear Plant is sought after because of the interesting black splotches on its green leaves. See close up photos below. Individual leaves can get 12 to 18 inches in size. They do sucker and can produce a mature plant that is 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. This species tolerates coastal full or part sun. It likes good draining soil and to be kept slightly moist during the hot season. Back off on watering when it's cold. If you live in a very cold area, you can dig up the tubers, store them and replant in the spring. Cold tolerance is about a freeze or a bit below. It can be used as a specimen or along the edge of a garden. It also can be grown next to a pond or stream. It would get too large for usage in a terarium. We're putting our one gallons on sale. They can be mail ordered. Also, many customers are growing this as a houseplant.

TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $35

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

ENSETE VENTICOSUM "MAURELII"
THE RED BANANA

LARGE SINGLE TRUNK TROPICAL PLANT
RED COLOR TO FOLIAGE
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE AND FIFTEEN GALLON GALLON SIZES
On sale are nice one gallon plants of the Red Banana, Ensete ventricosum mauerlii. This is a quick growing tropical plant that can get to ten to fifteen feet tall and grows in full coastal sun. Leaves are green with prominent red to both the dorsal and ventral sides. Trunks are at least 18 inches thick and leaves are fleshy and soft - typical of bananas and Ensete. It does not be edible fruit. Cold hardiness is down to about a freeze. Colder weather damages the leaves in winter. This is a fast growing plant but typically only lives for 5 to 7 years before flowering and dying. The garden photo is by Linda Cochran. We're putting our nice 15g on Special as well as juvenile 1 gallon (first and second row of photos). The 1 gallon should be easy to mail order. You'll note that the larger 15g plants show the red leaves a lot more.

REGULAR PRICE FIFTEEN GALLON $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $175

REGULAR PRICE 1 GALLON $45
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $35

BRAZILIAN RED CLOAK
MEGASKEPASMA ERYTHROCHLAMYS

MEDIUM SIZED BUSH / TREE WITH PROMINENT RED BLOSSOMS
NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND FOR SALE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 & 1.5 GALLON SIZE

The Brazilian Red Cloak is super rare and hard to find. This is probably because most propagation is by cuttings only. And, you have to have a mother plant to do this. We obtained two mother plants about eight years ago and have established them here in Encinitas. We began propagating about a year or two ago. This is considered a "bush" but can reach heights of eight feet or more. It blooms red when the weather is more cool - November to April. The terminal leaves turn red and hide the small white blossoms within (thus the "cloak" in the name). The red colored photos are of our mother plants. These can be mail ordered but you have to be in at least a 9A environment to grow it. Cold tolerance is down to about a freeze. We only have a few for sale.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 & 1.5 GALLON $45

Note: Our one gallon size is on the right of the first two photos. The larger 5 gallon size has sold out. The last photo is c/o Gumtree.com website. The boxed tree is our Nursery tree which we use for propagation of this impossible to find species.

WEDNESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY, 2023

CHAMBEYRONIA HOOKERI
THE BLONDE FLAME THROWER PALM

GORGEOUS PALM FROM NEW CALEDONIA

The palm shown in the first two rows is a 5 gallon size of Chambeyronia hookeri with its blonde colored crown shaft. This species is hard to find. It is different in appearance from the dark green crown shafted form, Chambeyronia 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

We have very limited numbers available of this species and only a handful of 15g and 5g size. But, we also have some band sized plants.

INTERESTING CYCAD PHOTOS
SPECIES, GARDENS, CHARACTERISTICS

ASSORTED GENERA - RANDOM ORDER
MANY AVAILABLE AT NURSERY

This is a presentation of random cycad photos of interest. Shown are Nursery, garden and habitat photos with some close up pictures to show plant characteristics. I'm hoping you'll find this presentation fun and help stimulate your recognition of some of the species. I'll try in the future to do a follow up of this type of post.

Ceratozamia hildae	Ceratozamia species - new red leaf	Encephalartos princeps, blue leaf
Ceratozamia robusta	Cycas bifida	Dioon califanoi habitat
Assorted Cycads in Garden	Assorted Cycads in Garden - Vista, CA	Ceratozamia mexicana new leaf
Dioon spinulosum	Dioon mejiae	Dioon merolae
Ceratozamia miquelliana	Mature Ceratozamia species	Cycas circinalis
Ceratozamia robusta female cone	Cycas bifida leaf closeup	Encephalartos natalensis
Encephalartos arenarius leaflets	Encephalartos natalensis	Encephalartos ferox red female cone
Zamia standleyi	Zamia splendens	Encephalartos longifolius blunt tip leaflet
Encephalartos paucidentatus leaf	Encephalartos villosus male cones	Encephalartos longifolius
Zamia skinneri RM	Cycas panzhihuaensis	Cycas curranii

PRESTOEA MONTANA
AKA PRESTOEA ACUMINATA VAR. MONTANA

RARE PINNATE PALM FROM PUERTO RICO
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

Prestoea is a genus that is very closely related to another palm genus, Euterpe. It is found in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Essentially all Euterpe are crown shafted palms. Many of the Prestoea are not. There are also distinctions between the flowers of these two genera. Also, many of the Prestoea are suckering. But, there is one that is single trunk. This is Prestoea montana, native to mountainous areas of Puerto Rico. I've always known of this species as not having a crown shaft. But, I've seen photos (including ones from native habitats) where a crown shaft is seen.

The hallmarks of this species are its wide and very shiny green leaves, its somewhat slender trunk and its overall beautiful appearance. Plant heights can reach forty feet or more. This species should be grown in part day sun or filtered light. It likes rich soil and ample moisture. I'd estimate its cold tolerance is down to about a freeze or a bit less. It is not a species for a beginner to try. We're putting the 15g plants on special. Note that this species has historically been known as "Prestoea montana" but in more recent years has been considered a variety of P. acuminata.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $245
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE $225

Remember: Mention this Special for this price!

ARCHONTOPHOENIX BEATRICAE
RARE VARIETY OF THE KING PALM

SILVER UNDERSIDES TO LEAFLETS
GREEN CROWN SHAFT
SINGLES AND MULTIPLES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

Archontophoenix Alexandrae is native to Australia. It has green leaves that have silver discoloration to the underside of the leaflets as shown below. Leaves tend to stay flat without the twist on their axis as seen with the more common King Palm, Archotophoenix cunninghamiana. Although they are a tad less cold hardy than the latter, they are felt by most to be more beautiful. Mature height can exceed 50 feet. The crown shaft with green without the brown discoloration seen with the common King Palm. Cold hardiness is about 26 degrees F. They can take coastal sun but half-day sun might give the pretties specimen. The 15g size shown below demonstrate both the single planting (3rd row below) and multiples (first two rows of photos) with several in a pot.

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

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

DYPSIS SPECIES BEF
SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

THIN TRUNK, ARCHING LEAVES, WHITE CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 7 GALLON SIZE

For quite a few years, palm enthusiasts have been familiar with this rare species from Madagascar. It has been called "Dypsis species bef". But, to this day, it has no accepted botanical name. It has a rather narrow ringed trunk with arching and keeled green leaves. The crown shaft is white. It is medium sized with a height of about 20 feet. The garden specimen is c/o Steve S., PalmPedia. As a nursery plant it has soft green relaxed leaves with hanging leaflets. But, when older, it is firmly keeled. Five of the six photos below show the 7 gallon size on sale. This is a very difficult palm to find and very sought after. We only have a couple.

REGULAR PRICE 7 GALLON $175
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $155

This species will take coastal sun. Cold tolerance is unknown at this time.

DYPSIS BARONII
IDEAL RARE SUCKERING MADAGASCAR PALM

MEDIUM SIZED MATURE – TOLERATES SOME COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 5 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 reliably performing plant and quite beautiful. Palm enthusiasts get real excited about the variety of color seen in the stem, crown shaft and new petioles. The color in these plant parts varies 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. 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 have 5g sizes available. They are already suckering and the size as shown. These can be mail ordered if needed. Limited supply. The garden photos were taken in the San Diego area.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLO $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $120

TRITHRINAX ACANTHACOMA
AKA TRITHIRNAX BRASILIENSIS
SPINY TRUNK - MEDIUM HEIGHT FAN PALM

EASILY TOLERATES INTO THE TEENS F.
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

This single trunk tropical fan palm is noted mostly for its spiny trunk. The spines are long, randomly directed and almost needle sized. It is native to South America and gets to a height of about twenty feet. It likes full sun and is cold hardy into the mid-teens F. Unlike Trithrinax campestris, the leaflet tips on this species are not sharp nor pointed. It is a medium rate grower. These plants are easy to ship.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $115

Remember: Mention this Special when you purchase. The 5 gallon on sale are shown in the first four pictures below.

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 $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $120

Remember: Mention this Special for you discount.

DYPSIS PEMBANA
SINGLE TRUNK OR SUCKERING
NATIVE TO PEMBA ISLAND

TAKES FULL COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

There are both single trunk and suckering forms of this species. Nowadays, most of the plants available of this species are the suckering form. Both get to a height of 25 feet, have an attractive green trunk and a light colored crown shaft. Leaves have a graceful arch and the leaflet color is green. It's a great alternative for the garden. Note how the trunks are beefy but not overly large. The plants on special are already suckering. Along our coast it will take part day sun but I'd recommend filtered or morning sun inland. The plants on special are in 5g size. We may have both larger and smaller size.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $115

Remember to mention this Blog Special at the time of purchase. Limited numbers are available. The garden specimen photos are c/o a late friend Al Bredeson. I'm also showing a prior Nursery stock 25 gallon

KENTIOPSIS PYRIFORMIS
SUPER RARE SINGLE TRUNK PINNATE PALM

NATIVE TO NEW CALEDONIA
THIN TRUNK - VERY ELEGANT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

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 have a limited number of 5 gallon plants we’re putting on special. Notice the newly emerging red leaf – most commonly seen in New Caledonia palm species. This is an extremely rare species and we rarely have them for sale.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $115

Photo of garden plant by TS at RPS.

RHAPIS EXCELSA
THE LADY PALM

ONE OF THE BEST INTERIOR PALMS
ALSO GREAT UNDERSTORY GARDEN PLANT
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 5 GALLON SIZE

We have an assortment of Lady Palms which are near perfect - almost as nice as the expensive ones we bring in out of Hawaii. But, they are locally grown and better priced. And, we are offering them on special – five gallon size. They are about 5-6 years old. Rhapis excelsa is native to Asia and typically doesn't get much over 8 feet tall in a pot or in the ground. Each leaf is composed mature of six to ten leaflets that have jagged ends and are green in color. They do great in shady locations of the garden or inside the home. They are a very nice patio plant. Cold hardiness is about 20 degrees F. They want low dose fertilizer. Too much fertilizer will burn them. The 5 gallon size can be easily shipped' It's slow growing and a dwarf species.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 5G $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $115

Important: Mention this Blog Only Offering for this price when you purchase. Note, limited supply available.

RHAPIS EXCELSA
THE LADY PALM

ONE OF THE BEST INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR PALMS
SIZE ON SALE EASY TO SHIP
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE ONE GALLON PLANTS

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE THESE 1G $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $55

Important: Mention this Blog Only Offering for this price when you purchase. One gallon shown in first 4 photos.

SABAL ROSEI
GREEN FAN PALM FROM MEXICO

MEDIUM TO TALL MATURE HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

This majestic and rather tall fan palm is native to Mexico and get a mature height of 40 feet or a bit more in decades. But, the trunk is rather thin - averaging 8 to 12 inches. Retained leaf bases eventually fall off given it a smooth trunk with knobby areas of old leaf-base scars. The leaves are large and green in color. It prefers full sun and is cold hardy to about 20 degrees F. or a bit colder. We're putting our 2 gallon size on special - easy to mail order

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON $80
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $67.50

CHAMAEDOREA FRONDOSA
SUPER RARE UNDERSTORY DWARF PALM

SINGLE STEM - BIFID COMPLETE LEAVES
A TRULY UNUSUAL COLLECTOR PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON PLANTS

This is a rare and almost never available single trunk dwarf palm with a mature height of two feet. Its trunk is very narrow and leaves are plicated (ridged) as shown below. It is an understory palm and wants filtered light. It is native to mountain cloud forests in Honduras. It has a cold tolerance in the mid to upper twenties F. and has been successfully grown by enthusiasts in So California. We may be one of the only nurseries around offering this species. You want to give it ample water and to not let it go dry. It is a dioecious species so you'll need several to get both sexes if you want to produce seeds. We're offering one gallon on sale and have very limited numbers. It can be mail ordered. Our 1 gallon are shown in the first seven photos followed ay older 5 gallon plants. Because of it's rarity, I don't have any garden photos that are better than our 5 gallon photos. Mail order should be easy, weather permitting.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE SUPER RARE ONE GALLON SIZE $85

COPERNICIA HOSPITA
THE BLUE CUBAN WAX PALM

EXTREMELY RARE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM
STUNNING BLUE SPECIES
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

This difficult to find and beautiful blue fan palm is native to Cuba. Mature trees carry a large number of blue, circular and pleated and flat leaves. The trunk holds on to old leaf bases for a while but eventually is smooth with about a 12 inch diameter. Many feel that this, along with other Copernicia, are some of the most beautiful of all fan palms. Expect a mature height of 20 to 25 feet. It wants full sun and is cold tolerant to at least a freeze. We're putting our one gallon plants on special. Their age is approaching 3 years. I’d highly recommend getting one as they are near impossible to find. Easy to mail order.

TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $65

ENCEPHALARTOS TRISPINOSUS
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

SOUGHT AFTER - SPINY LEAFLETS
LOVES SUN AND PRETTY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE BAND PLANTS

Shown below is our band size plants of the desirable blue South African cycad, Encephalartos trispinosus. Most people find it's very similar to E. horridus. It is a small to medium sized mature blue cycad with leaflets that have prominent lobes. But, be aware that this species is quite variable and has many forms. There is even a spineless leaflet form. It likes full sun and is cold hardy to about 22 degrees F. These band sized plants are easy to ship. The fifth photo shows a larger nursery plant and the last photo is a garden specimen. Of note, these seedlings are pretty nice and probably ready to be repotted into a larger container.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $65

Remember to mention this Blog Special for your discount.

ENCEPHALARTOS LONGIFOLIUS – BLUE FORM
MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

BLUE STACKED LEAFLETS - MINIMAL IF ANY SPINES
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This rare South African cycad is also from the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. It is a good sized cycad with leaf color variable from dark green to brilliant blue. The seedlings on sale should be a nice blue form. Trunks can reach a height of twelve feet or more. Leaf lengths are four to six feet with stacking leaflets and minimal if any spines when mature. Leaves are often curled downward toward their ends. It loves full sun along the coast but in desert areas would want a few hours of sun. Cold tolerance is about 22 degrees F. The seedlings on sale are in band containers (3 x 3 x 9 inches). They’d benefit from a year or two in a one or two gallon pot before putting them in the ground. They are easy to mail order within the U.S. The band size is shown in the first six photos.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $55

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase to get this price!

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFFSKYANA
A "USER FRIENDLY" LARGE CYCAD

GREEN LEAVES – NO SPINES
MEDIUM SIZED MATURE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON AS SHOWN

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. I am going to show you an assortment of plants. 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.
The plant on special is in a 15 gallon pot with a caudex of 7.5 inches. Age is 7 to 8 years from germination. It is shown in the first five photos below. It’ll be instantly ready for the garden after a bit of sun acclimation. It could be shipped. I am also showing a few monster specimens we have at the Nursery.

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON $750
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON $650

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFFSKYANA
A "USER FRIENDLY" LARGE GREEN CYCAD

TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE - ONLY A FEW LEFT

SEE DESCRIPTION ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $55

PINSTRIPE GINGER
DWARF GINGER WITH WHITE ON GREEN STRIPED LEAVES

NEVER OVER ABOUT FOUR FEET TALL
PARTIAL SUN OR FILTERED LIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This attractive companion plant has become very popular with our customers. This is because it has striking variegation on the leaves and never gets too tall. And, it does quite well in filtered light where other thing gingers can struggle. Mature height is about four feet. Cold tolerance is into the upper twenties. If it suffers from winter burn, the following spring it usually bounces back. Blossoms are yellow and white (see photo) and not overly large. We are putting the 15g on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $175

Just mention this special when you buy

FARFUGIUM JAPONICUM AUREOMACULATUM
THE SPOTTED LEOPARD PLANT
FORMERLY KNOWN AS SPOTTED LIGULARIA

LILY-LIKE, FLAT GREEN LEAVES WITH YELLOW SPOTS
TAKES SUN - LIKES WATER
SPECIAL NICE 3 & 5 GALLON SIZE

This is a more rare type of Ligularia – with the yellow spots on the leaves. Otherwise it behaves like the more often seen green type. It forms small clusters of shiny green leaf plants with prominent yellow spots on the leaves. Leaves don't get over 18 inches long with the green leaf being eight to ten inches wide maximum. A single plant can hold twenty or thirty leaves. Flowers come in the fall are yellow, daisy-like and medium sized. This species enjoys water and will droop over with too little water. Then, when given water, they bounce right back. It's a good "indicator plant" for how well you are watering the garden. They'll take sun in many areas or part day sun. In full sun, give them plenty of water. If you are far inland, plant them in filtered light. These plants do sucker and are easy to propagate from divisions. This is a great "filler plant" to put in areas where you want something but don't know what to use. We only have them available from time to time.

REGULAR PRICE 3 & 5 GALLON $85
TEN DAY SPECIAL 3 & 5 GALLON $70

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

PANDOREA JASMINOIDES "ROSEA"
CLIMBING VINE, COLD HARDY, EVERGREEN, LARGE FLOWERS

WHITE PETAL, PURPLE CENTERS
LARGE TALL 15G PLANTS ON SPECIAL

This climbing vine is native to Australia and will trellis up a fence or pole or climb up the trunk of a tree. This variety is hard to find and has large, white, trumpet shaped flowers that have a deep purple-red throat. There are other color varieties including pure white which we also can offer. It grows in the shade or sun but flowers better with sun. It is very cold hardy with reports of it surviving temperatures into the teens F. These 15g plants are huge for their pots and climbing up a pole. Plant heights in the pot is about 8 feet. Remember, this is a vining plant that will climb a fence, free trunk, pole or almost anything. The 7th photo is c/o gopixpic.com website.

REGULAR PRICE THESE LARGE 15G $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE $165

Just mention this Blog Special to get this discount at the time of purchase.

PANDOREA JASMINOIDES - WHITE
CLIMBING VINE, COLD HARDY, EVERGREEN, LARGE FLOWERS

PURE WHITE PETALS
LARGE TALL 15G PLANTS ON SPECIAL

SEE DESCRIPTION ABOVE

This climbing vine is identical to the "rosea" variety above but has pure white flowers. It's easy to grow.

REGULAR PRICE THESE LARGE 15G $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE $165

Just mention this Blog Special to get this discount at the time of purchase. The last photo is by Jimmy Turner on Twitter.

MONDAY, 30 JANUARY, 2023

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 link to right to read

READ CYCADS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Encephalartos princeps
Encephalartos arenarius

Macrozamia communis
Cycas panzhihuaensis

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 abbreviation 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.

BURRETIOKENTIA KOGHIENSIS
RARE NEW CALEDONIAN PALM

NARROW TRUNK & WHITE CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 25G PLANTS

Back in the year 2000, I was the President of the International Palm Society. I set up the 1998 Biennial in Thailand at Nong Nook Gardens. I arranged with the Palm Society of New Caledonia to have to 2000 Biennial in their country. The palms of New Caledonia are some of the most exciting and prettiest palms of the world. This gave my son Jesse and I a great opportunity to see the New Caledonian palms in the wild.

About 45 minutes out of Noumea (the capitol) is Mount Koghi. This is the home habitat for Burretiokentia koghiensis. It has a thin to medium trunk, a white crown shaft and gets to about 25 feet tall. It's very beautiful and does great in Southern California. Most grow it in part day sun. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F. (sort of like a King Palm with tolerance of cold). Shown here are plants that we germinated about 10 years ago. They are finally really nice, old 25g plants. You'll not see locally grown plants of this species and size around at all. And, never on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 25G $650
TEN DAY SPECIAL 25G $575

We only have a few of these, so don't dally. It's a fabulous addition to any garden. Mention this Special.

TALL INTERIOR QUALITY KENTIA PALMS
HOWEA FORSTERIANA

ELEGANT, GREEN LEAVES, THINNER TRUNKS
TEN DAY SPECIAL TALL SQUAT 15G SIZE

Our major focus with the Howea forsteriana has been historically dealing with their usage in landscape. But, this species - The Kentia Palm - is also an excellent house plant. We get calls about obtaining them for hotel lobbies, restaurants, and upscale business offices. Inside the home or facility they tolerate adequate light but don't demand being in front of a window. Leaves are elegant, dark green and have a gentle arch. Trunks are thin. The squat 15g are interior quality with stretched upward leaves. This is what interior designers seek. These are too tall for mail order. They are in squat 15g pots and 8 to 10 feet tall in their pots. Almost all are multiples with two to three plants per pot. Sorry, but I don't have any good photos of this palm in an interior application.

TEN DAY SPECIAL INTERIOR QUALITY SQUAT 15G $375

BISMARCKIA SPECIES MAYOTTE ISLAND
THE RARE GREEN BISMARCKIA
YOU NEVER SEE THEM AVAILABLE

A BISMARCKIA BUT WITHOUT THE BLUE COLOR
VERY ATTRACTIVE, LARGER FLAT GREEN FAN PALM
SPECIAL OLD AND LARGE 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. The 11th photo below is by TS at RPS.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $275
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G $235

KING PALM
ARCHONTOPHOENIX CUNNINGHAMIANA

MEDIUM TO TALL, FULL OR PART DAY SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL SINGLE 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 singles 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. These single 15g plants are about 7 to 8 feet tall in their pots.

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

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

CHAMAEDOREA WOODSONIANA
TALL, THICK TRUNK, BEAUTIFUL GREEN PINNATE PALM

DOES BEST IN SHADE – STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This is a very large, single trunk species that is native to a long range, spanning from Mexico into the northern parts of South America. It is very sought after by enthusiasts and is known as one of the tallest of all Chamaedoreas - reaching heights of possibly over forty feet. The trunk has a prominent crownshaft and is four inches thick or more. It's leaves are four to five feet long with a prominent petiole. Leaf color is a deep green and, in cross section, the leaves are slightly keeled. In Southern California, this species prefers shade or a bit of sun. It has been said that this species cannot take a freeze. More recent reports suggest this species can tolerate temperatures into the upper 20's F. It is known to be growing in the San Francisco Bay area. It is a quick grower and sometimes the base of the trunk is swollen. Shown in the first six photos are our 5g size which are quite tall and need to go into the garden or be repotted. Most are 5 feet tall or more in their pots. We have limited numbers available. The 7th photo shows the trunk of a 15 gallon plant.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $155
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE LARGE 5 GALLON $135

Note: We only have a few available and they’ll be gone soon.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX PURPUREA
THE PURPLE CROWN SHAFT KING PALM

VERY BEAUTIFUL - GOOD GROWER
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 5 GALLON 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. 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 5g size (first 6 photos below) which we're putting on a Ten Day Special. These are nicely sized for their pots and either single or multiple (more than one per pot). In the pot they are about four feet tall or a bit more. We also have other sizes available. These can be mail ordered.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 GALLON $115

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

CHAMBEYRONIA MACROCARPA
THE FLAME THROWER PALM
NEW RED EMERGING LEAF

DARK GREEN CROWN SHAFT
SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

What good fortune is it that New Caledonia can claim to be the home of all Chambeyronia. Included is this species, C. macrocarpa. It is a slow growing, pinnate, crown shafted palm that gets to a height of about 30 feet. It has a dark green to green-black crown shaft. Compare this to C. hookeri above with it's yellow crown shaft. Leaves are wide, thick and leathery to the touch. With good culture, maybe you can get three new leaves a year. About one in twenty plants fail to throw a new red leaf - rather, it remains green. This is just bad luck and there's no way to predict which will do this. Shown here are 5 gallon plants we're putting on sale. We do have larger and smaller sizes available. Coastal sun is tolerated although strong filtered light is ok for most areas. This is a great garden palm.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $115

Just mention this special when you buy. I thank TS at RPS for usage of his photo below.

LACCOSPADIX AUSTRALASICA
SUCKERING MOUNTAIN FORM

EASY TO GROW
RESEMBLES THE KENTIA PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 5G

When one considers the species Laccospadix australasica, he has to realize that there are different forms depending on native habitat/localities. There are also single trunk and suckering forms. The one for sale here is the mountain form that are typically single trunk. I feel it's the best subspecies one can purchase. It doesn't throw the new red leaf although occasionally you see a bit of bronze in the new leaf. This variety of the L. australasica is fairly easy to grow in our area. The seeds for these plants today came from a local flowering tree here in Encinitas. This variety has thinner leaves that are dull green in color, trunks about four to five inches thick and reaches a height of typically under 15 feet. I'd recommend morning sun, strong filtered light or perhaps several hours of daily sun. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $145
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 5G $125

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

TRITHRINAX CAMPESTRIS
BLUE, SUCKERING FAN PALM
VERY COLD HARDY

LIMITED NUMBER OLD SUCKERING 5G
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This South American suckering fan palm comes from Argentina and Uruguay. From these locations, you might suspect it could have quite a bit of cold hardiness, and this is the case with not only this species of Trithrinax, but of the genus as a whole. Availability of seeds of this species has been sparse to nonexistent. And, as a young plant, it is quite slow growing. Consequently, to get a good sized container plant can take a decade or more. We were fortunate to offer some very nice 5g plants as shown below. I'd estimate their age at 7 years. They are dividing and very chunky at the base. They are totally acclimated to full hot sun and are intensely blue. This is a perfect selection for someone who lives in an interior area with lots of heat.

Overall height of this species is up to twenty feet. Multiple stems are produced, but usually the number is just several. Leaves are small, typically about two feet wide. The segments of the leaves are pointed and sharp. Trunks retain old leaf bases but, like Washingtonia, eventually fall off. This is a drought tolerant species and can take temperatures well into the 100's F. and cold tolerance is into the teens. Of note, most specimens I've seen are blue. The 5g size is shown in the first 5 photos. The last two photos show a mature plant that is blue-green in color, probably due to the fact that it's not getting full sun.

REGULAR PRICE 5G THIS SPECIES $155
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $125

But, remember to mention this special when purchasing to get this price.

15 gallon size
garden plant
garden plant

SERENOA REPENS
SOUGHT AFTER BLUE FORM

SUCKERING, SEMI-DWARF FAN PALM
VERY COLD HARDY, SUN LOVING
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON 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 5 gallon pots and five years old. It is slow growing palm. It forms a clump over time. The plants on special are about four years old. Of note, young plants never show blue - but these plants are just showing it. These are supposed to be the blue variety. Cold hardiness is into the upper teens F.

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

Remember: Mention this Blog Special for your discount.

SABAL URESANA
RARE & ATTRACTIVE BLUE FAN PALM

MEDIUM SIZED MATURE – LOVES HEAT AND SUN
VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND FOR SALE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This extremely blue species of Sabal is from northwestern Mexico in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua. In fact, I had a collector in New Mexico who told me he thinks the natural distribution of this species extends across the U.S. border into New Mexico. But, this is not documented. This species has very long petioles with divided fan leaves attached at their ends. The leaves are blue or blue-green on both sides. This is more apparent when the plants are moved into sun and age. tThe ends of the leaves flex downward, so the leaves appear as if they are hanging down toward the ground. Plants can get over thirty feet tall and in habitat are much taller than this. Trunks get up to eighteen inches thick. They like heat and sun. Cold hardiness is good, into the upper teens F. But, cold along with wet weather can be difficult for this species. We have available some nice 5 gallon which we’re putting on Special. Leaf color is just beginning to turn blue. The last habitat photo is by Jeremy Spath. The last actual photo is a 15g plant which we’ve sold out of.

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

SABAL MINOR
THE DWARF PALMETTO

NEVER OVER SIX FEET TALL - GREEN FAN PALM LEAVES
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 black small seeds. We’re putting 2 gallon plants on sale presently. These are big for their pots. Easy to mail order.

REGULAR PRICE 2 GALLON SIZE $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE NICELY SIZED 2 GALLON $62.50

Just mention this blog special to get this great deal. This and all sales above apply to mail orders or nursery visits.

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX
SEMI-DWARF SUCKERING BAMBOO PALM

COLD HARDY - NEVER OVER EIGHT FEET TALL
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

This suckering Chamaedorea has very thin canes, somewhat wide leaflets, green leaves and an overall small to medium size. Mature plants are rarely over 8 feet tall. Often leaves can have an iridescent sheen and sometimes are glaucous on the back side. This species wants filtered light and is cold hardy into the upper teens F. The 2 gallon on sale are nicely sized and suckering already. They are equivalent to a 5 gallon plant.

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

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase. These can be mail ordered. The plants on special are shown in the first two rows of photos. The last row shows a 15g at the nursery.

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 $80
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $65

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

ROYSTONEA OLERACEA
THE SOUTH AMERICAN ROYAL PALM

TALL PINNATE PALM WITH LUSH GREEN FOLIAGE
LONG PROMINENT CROWN SHAFT
TEN DAY SPECIAL SEEDLINGS IN BANDS

This species of Royal Palm is native to the lower Caribbean Islands and northern South America. References say it can reach heights of sixty feet but I've personally seen a grove of 100 year old trees in New Caledonia that surpass 100 feet. They are fast growing, have green leaves, a prominent crown shaft and hold their leaves typically in the upper half of the leaf-crown sphere. They want sun and are cold hardy to about 25 degrees F. On sale are one year old band sized seedlings.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $52.50
Easy to mail order.

ENCEPHALARTOS TRISPINOSUS
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

SOUGHT AFTER - SPINY LEAFLETS
LOVES SUN AND PRETTY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZED PLANTS

Shown below is our band size plants of the desirable blue South African cycad, Encephalartos trispinosus. Most people find it's very similar to E. horridus. It is a small to medium sized mature blue cycad with leaflets that have prominent lobes. But, be aware that this species is quite variable and has many forms. There is even a spineless leaflet form. It is anticipated that these plants, like their parents, with have prominently prickly and lobed leaflets. These will want full sun along the coast and are cold hardy to about 22 degrees F. These 5 gallon plants can be shipped. Caudex size on these is about 2 inches. After acclimation, one can plant them directly into the ground in spring to summer, or wait another year when they are larger.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE 5 GALLON WITH ABOUT 2 INCH CAUDEX $300
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 5G PLANTS WITH 2 INCH CAUDEXES $255

DIOON EDULE VARIETY TAMAULIPAS
GLAUCOUS GREEN THIN LEAF MEXICAN CYCAD

ONE OF VARIOUS VARIETIES OF DIOON EDULE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

Dioon edule is a very durable species of cycad that is found in Mexico. Enthusiasts have found that in different native localities that the plants of each region are different. This has led to what we call "varieties" of Dioon edule. In the Tamaulipas area of Mexico such a variety is found. This is also the locality of the recognized species Dioon angustiolium. The Dioon edule variety tamaulipas is a glaucous green species with flat leaves and narrow leaflets. The leaflets re minimally spined if at all. Leaflets are spaced with a narrow gap between individual leaflets. Leaf color is green to a blue-green. Mature plants are dwarf and rarely over 6 feet tall overall in the garden. It prefers full sun and is cold hardy into the upper teens F. It likes good draining soil. We are offering 5 gallon plants with a 3 inch caudex on this hard to find variety. These can be mail ordered. Unfortunately, I have no garden photos of this variety.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 3 INCH 5 GALLON $375
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS BATCH 5 GALLON 3 INCH CAUDEX $295

INTERESTING BLUE HYBRID ENCEPHALARTOS
ENCEPHALARTOS LONGIFOLIUS X PRINCEPS

WILL BE STRIKING BLUE HYBRID
TEN DAY SPECIAL JUVENILE 5 GALLON PLANTS

This is a hybrid cycad that was produced by using two blue South African cycads. Pollen from E. princeps was used to pollinate a female cone of E. longifolius. Both of these two parents are blue in sun and when mature - especially the E. princeps. As many of you know, Encephalartos princeps is one of the most sought after of the blue species. These juvenile plants have about three leaves and a caudex size of a bit under one inch. They will want full sun along the coast and should be cold hardy down into the very low 20's F. These can be mail ordered. They can remain in these 5g pots for several years. As this is an unusual cross, I can only show you nursery photos of pure longifolius and princeps below. I have no garden specimens of this hybrid available for pictures.

REGULAR PRICE 5G SIZE JUVENILE PLANTS THIS HYBRID $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G THIS HYBRID & THIS SIZE $100

ENCEPHALARTOS LEBOMBOENSIS
MEDIUM SIZED SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

GREEN LEAVES – FAIRLY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL TWO 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 shown are in 2 gallon pots with a caudex of 2 inches

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE, THIS SPECIES $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $115

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 and is shown in the first six photos below.

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON CYCAD $1320
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL PLANT $1125

Below I'm showing photos of a large 25g specimen at the nursery - photo #7 below. We have a few seedlings.

ENCEPHALARTOS PAUCIDENTATUS
MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

UPRIGHT GREEN LEAVES - MEDIUM TO LARGE SO AFRICAN CYCAD
TEN DAY FOUR YEAR OLD 1.5 GALLON JUVINILE CYCADS

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

The plants on special are in deep 1 gallon (1.5 gallon) and are four years old with 3 to 4 leaves. Caudex size is approaching one inch. These would be easy to mail order.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 1.5 GALON WITH CAUDEX ABOUT ONE INCH $145
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 1.5 GALLON $110

Below I'm showing photos of a few garden and nursery plants of this species.

SILVER BRAKE FERN
PTERIS CRETICA

TWO COLORED LEAVES
LIKES FILTERED LIGHT - NOT TOO TALL
SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

The hallmark of this fern are the green and white leaflets. There are various varieties of this species. On some the lighter color is a white, others sort of yellow and also some with silver inner portions of the leaflets. Leaves come from crawling rhizomes and are about 12 to 18 inches long. This species like ample moisture, filtered light and is cold tolerance to a bit below a freeze. We are offering 5 gallons on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $75
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS 5 GALLON $60

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 $95
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $75

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

LIGULARIA TUSSILANGINEA
LILY-LIKE, FLAT GREEN LEAVES

YELLOW BLOSSOMS IN FALL
TAKES SUN - LIKES WATER
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE ONE GALLON

This is an interesting plant we propagate ourselves from seeds of existing plants. They form small clusters of shiny green leaf plants that don't get over 18 inches. Flowers come in the fall are yellow, daisy-like and medium sized. This species enjoys water and will droop over with too little water. Then, when given water, they bounce right back. It's a good "indicator plant" for how well you are watering the garden. They'll take sun in many areas or part day sun. In full sun, give them plenty of water. These plants do sucker and are easy to propagate from divisions. This is a great "filler plant" to put in areas where you want something but don't know what to use. On the fourth photo the one gallon is in his right hand. We're sold out of 5g presently.

REGULAR PRICE 1G $40
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1G $32.50

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

PANDANUS UTILUS
THE SCREW PINE

THE BEST AND ONE OF THE FEW PANDANUS GOOD FOR THIS AREA
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON PLANTS

Pandanus utilus is called the Screw Pine but is not a pine at all. It's actually a monocot (similar to palms) and native to Madagascar, the Mauritius Islands and some surrounding areas. It gets it's name by the arrangement of leaves which come off the trunk in spiraling fashion, always the same direction. Thus, the leaves spin off at different angles in a swirl. Leaves are rather thin and have spines along the margins. The trunk on this species is quite amazing. It forms aerial roots (sausage like) that come to the ground for stability. Trunks fork and form multiple heads of leaves. Trunks can also be quite smooth, almost snakeskin-like. It has large fruit clusters that are bigger than grenades. But, it is a dioecious species and you need a male and female plant to set viable seeds. Leaf color is green with a sheen of blue. Overall height is variable, but old specimens can easily be over thirty feet tall with lots of branches. It takes sun or part sun. Cold tolerance is probably in the mid-twenties F. We are offering only a few 5g as shown that we have in stock. This is an hard species to find for sale.

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

Just mention this blog special when purchasing to get this price. This size can be mail ordered. The only other Pandanus that we’ve had luck with is P. furcatus, which we also have. And, we’re trying a new species Pandanus dubius.

ALOCASIA LOW RIDER
TRUE DWARF GREEN HYBRID

NEVER OVER 2 FEET TALL - FAIRLY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This dwarf Alocasia is a hybrid of Alocasia portora - which is much taller and larger than this hybrid. Mature height is typically 18 inches. Leaf stems are striped as you can see on the photo. Leaf color is green. This plant tolerates partial or perhaps full sun along the coast or limited sun / strong filtered light in interior areas. It is fairly cold hardy and winters over in zone 7B and above. We're putting 5 gallon on sale. Sorry, but I have no photos of mature garden plants.

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

This size can be shipped mail order.

HIBISCUS MIDNIGHT
RED BLOSSOM

RARE VARIETY
TEN DAY SPECIAL FLOWERING SIZE ONE GALLON

As a nursery, we're not a specialty Hibiscus grower. But, I've always loved these plants. Even older species, around for quite a while, add color and charm to the garden. And, newer varieties are amazing. The reason we backed off from Hibiscus is that they attract white fly problems. This was especially present a decade ago but has become less of a problem nowadays. So, we are growing some cool varieties presently. Most are from cuttings from collections of desirable plants. The one on sale here has large red (touch of pink) blossoms. They are fully rooted.

TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $35

FRIDAY, 27 JANUARY, 2023

WINTER - A GREAT TIME TO BUY PLANTS?

YES, BECAUSE WINTER PLANTS ARE THE BIGGEST OF THE SEASON
BUY BEFORE THEY GET REPOTTED

Experienced gardeners know that the best time to buy nursery grown plants is during the winter. This is because right now we are in the process of repotting our largest plants into larger containers. We select out the largest of plants and repot them first. And, of course, the price goes up. So, the best deals on plants are during winter.

In our area, the best time to plant is the end of February as the threat of frost is gone. So, planting time is not too far away. If you live in a distant and colder area, we can hold plants for free for later shipping when weather is better. We have a variety of container sizes on most species - from small to large. Also, the number of species we offer for sale is unparalleled at over 1600 species. When it's a nursery visit or mail order, consider getting your plants now.

POTTING UP A NEW PALM SEEDLING
PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING TECHNIQUE -
VEITCHIA SEEDLINGS

If you follow the techniques given in the article above, you will end up having seedlings that will need repotting into a growing container. Shown here are some vigorous Veitchia seedlings that were germinated in a flat. Flats are not our favorite for germinating (are not deep containers) but, for conservation of space, was what we used for these seeds. You can see in the first two photos that these are well developed with about two or three leaves. We prefer to have several leaves before we repot seedlings.

Photographs three to five show the seedlings after they've been removed from the germinating flat. Note the compact and nice roots on the seedlings. You must be careful when removing each seedling to protect the roots. Cutting or damaging the roots can lead to damping off after removal.

The last photo shows the seedling after being repotted into a one gallon. Sometimes we put seedlings into our band containers ( 3 x 3 x 9 inches), but Veitchias typically are large, strong seedlings and respond better in a larger pot. Of course, after potting up seedlings, water immediately and put them into filtered light. Over time, you can give them more sun exposure.

I hope this helps you have successful growing of your small new palms.

ASSORTED BROMELIADS
NEW ONES ARRIVING ALMOST WEEKLY

FROM PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
MANY SUN & SHADE VARIETIES

We are continually trying to bring in more colorful, exciting and new varieties of Bromeliads that customers will like At the end of this week we'll be getting in a new batch of colorful and different species. We try to emphasize different types including Aechmea, Neorogelias and others. Some are for shade and others for sun. Right now we probably have about 25 different varieties of Bromeliads. I'm showing some we've had in the past year below. We invite all to drop in to see our Bromeliads. We have a lot more than shown here but, be aware, that some sell out while other different ones arrive.

BECCARIOPHOENIX ALFREDII
THE MADAGASCAR PLATEAU COCONUT PALM

MEDIUM SIZED SINGLE TRUNK
HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER - FULL SUN
AMAZING HUGE SPECIMENS IN 36 INCH BOX SIZE

TEN DAY SPECIAL ON HUGE CONTAINERIZED SPECIMENS

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 Houston. 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 - so it offers privacy and screening of neighbors. Growth rate is medium in most areas and along the coast it likes sun. This species is hard to find. We're putting on sale the largest plants we've ever had for sale - in 36 inch boxes or 35 gallon bags. Heights in the containers is about twelve feet. Limited supplies.

REGULAR PRICE THESE LARGE SPECIMENS $800
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 36 INCH BOX SIZE $675

You must mention this Internet-only special when purchasing to get this price. Limited supplies available. Two habitat photos by TS at RPS. We only have one or two left.

MULE PALM
BUTIA X SYAGRUS (QUEEN PALM)

MEDIUM SIZE MATURE HYBRID PALM
SUPER COLD HARDY - TO ABOUT 16 DEGREES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 25 GALLON 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 squat 25g plants. They are eight to nine tall. They are ready for planting but we only have a few of them..

REGULAR PRICE 25 GALLON $695
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $595

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

PINANGA JAVANA
SINGLE TRUNK, TROPICAL & EXOTIC SPECIES

GETS TALLER THAN P. CORONATA - BEING GROWN BY COLLECTORS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

It's been a few years since we've offered this rare single trunk Pinanga from the island of Java, Indonesia. A different thing about this species is that it is single trunk. Juvenile plants have solid, simple leaves as shown in the photos. But, over time, they become pinnate leaves as seen on the larger garden specimen. The mature trunk is thin and ringed. Leaves are six feet long or more - green in color. The thing about this species is that no one has it! Shown are the 15g plants we're putting on Special. It wants filtered light and is cold hardy down to about a freeze.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $245
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $225

CYPHOPHOENIX ELEGANS
THE ELEGANT PALM

MEDIUM SIZE – THIN TRUNK – CROWN SHAFTED
NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN LARGE SIZE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This species is from New Caledonia in the northern part of the island. It is of similar height to C. nucele and has the same trunk diameter. The crown shaft on C. elegans is slightly more swollen than that of C. nucele. The crown shaft is also more of a green color, but can show silver. The leaflets are thinner and, as you can see, the leaves curve downward as opposed to the stiff, upright leaves of nucele. Another important difference between the two is that the leaves of C. elegans are keeled whereas the leaves of nucele are more flat. Of note, on both species the bare petiole (stem with no leaves) is very short. This helps you identify this genus.

Shown here is an oversized 15 gallon plant. Also shown are photos of mature plants. It's easy to appreciate how beautiful and not overly large it is. This species should be started in filtered light and be allowed to grow into some sun if you live along the coast. Inland full sun is too harsh for this species. Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties F.

REGULAR PRICE LARGE SIZED 15 GALLON $275
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 15 GALLON $245

Remember to mention this Special to get this price. Limited numbers available.

BUTIA CAPITATA BLUE VARIETY
EASY TO GROW, NOT TOO TALL
BLUE VARIETY - COLD HARDY

FULL SUN AND MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

For about a decade we've been offering this very desirable and sought after variety of Butia that has a nice blue color. Otherwise, it's quite similar to the regular gray-green Pindo Palm. The intensity of the blue color varies from plant to plant. But, the palm shown here came from a nice blue parent. Outdoors in hot sun, the color blue will intensify. Mature height is about fifteen feet or a bit more. Trunk diameter averages 12 to 16 inches. This palm loves full hot sun and can take down to 15 degrees F. So, almost all of you can grow this palm. This plant also does well in desert climates.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $175

Just remember: Mention this Blog Special for your discount. The 8th photo is by friend, Paul Craft.

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 $200

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

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM

IDEAL FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 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 5 gallon size we’re putting on special Growth rate on this species is good. This species is highly recommended.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE $115

The 5 gallon size is shown in the first 5 photos. The garden trees are growing in San Diego County.

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 $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE $115

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.

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 $110

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

SABAL CAUSIARUM
LARGE TRUNKED TROPICAL FAN PALM

SMOOTH AND LIGHT COLORED TRUNK
SUPER COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

This is one of my favorite Sabal species. It's native to various Caribbean Islands including Puerto Rico and Cuba. It can get to height of at least 35 feet and has a trunk that is smooth and a light tan to gray color. Trunks are thick, up to about 30 inches. Leaf color is blue-green. Growth rate is good and it likes sun. Cold tolerance is into the mid-teens F. The 5g size shown below are nice. We’re putting this size on sale. Get them in the ground and within a few years you’ll have a decent sized palm. I’m showing some mature plants below as well.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $115

DYPSIS DECARYI
THE TRIANGLE PALM

NATIVE TO MADAGASCAR
MATURE HEIGHT A BIT OVER TWENTY FEET
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 3G SIZE

This single trunk, sun loving pinnate palm from Southern Madagascar gets to a height of about twenty feet or a bit more, likes full, hot sun and is cold tolerant to about 23 degrees F. Its crown shaft and leaves are aligned in three ranks. Thus, the common name of “Triangle Palm”. Shown here are nice 3g size with height to 4 feet or taller in their pots. We do have many sizes for sale including large 1 gallon, 15g and a few larger 25g / 24 inch boxes. Maximum height of this species is 20 to 25 feet. Growth rate is medium.

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

Just mention this Blog Special when purchasing to get this special price.

COCCOTHRINAX BARBADENSIS
MEDIUM SIZED, NARROW TRUNK
VERY "CUTE PALM" WITH GREEN OR SILVER GREEN LEAVES

SPECIAL NICE 5 GALLON

We at the nursery are very proud that we offer a good selection of these interesting New World fan palms - Coccothrinax. This species is native to the Caribbean region and gets to heights of about 30 feet in many decades. Leaf color is green to silver-green and trunks are typically six inches thick or a bit more. This species loves full hot sun and is cold tolerant into the mid-twenties F. Many are growing it with good success. In pots, all Coccothrinax are painfully slow. It's taken us about six years to produce the 5g plants you see here. We do have other sizes for sale and multiple other species of this genus. In the ground they are much faster.

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

Remember: Mention this Special when you purchase to get this discount.

COCCOTHRINAX BARBADENSIS
MEDIUM SIZED, NARROW TRUNK

VERY "CUTE PALM" WITH GREEN OR SILVER GREEN LEAVES
SPECIAL NICE 2 GALLON SIZE

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE 2G $80
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $67.50

Remember: Mention this Special when you purchase to get this discount.

PALM SEEDLINGS
FIVE DIFFERENT TYPES ONE SALE

BAND SIZE - EASY TO SHIP
SPECIAL BAND SIZE SPECIES BELOW

Below I am offering five different palm seedlings on sale. I am not giving species descriptions or photos of mature specimens. I've just shown the species names. I'm posting these for those who know their species and know what they are looking for. I am also showing the most frequently seen common names for the palms below.

TEN DAY SPECIAL - $50 FOR ANY OF THESE SPECIES DIRECTLY BELOW

All can be mail ordered within the U.S.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX ALEXANDRAE RARE TYPE KING PALM
CARYOTA GIGAS KING KONG FISHTAIL PALM
CHAMBEYRONIA HOOKERI THE BLOND FLAME THROWER PALM
RHOPALOSTYLIS SAPIDA SHAVING BRUSH PALM
JUBAEA CHILENSIS CHILEAN WINE PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS WHITELOCKII
LARGER CENTRAL AFRICAN CYCAD WITH LONG UPRIGHT LEAVES

FAST GROWING - EXTREMELY POPULAR AND SOUGHT AFTER CYCAD
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G SIZE

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 showing today are 5 gallon size with caudexes of about 4 inches. If a given plant is more or less than 4 inch caudex size, sale price would be adjusted. We have other sizes as well, both larger and possibly smaller. The third row of photos shows garden plants and the last row shows other Nursery 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 as sun-tolerant as many of the South African species. Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON WITH 4 INCH CAUDEX $700
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON WITH 4 INCH CAUDEX $600

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
RARE BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FOR FULL COASTAL SUN

A FAVORITE AMONG CYCAD ENTHUSIASTS
TEN DAY SPECIAL AFFORDABLE 5 GALLON PLANTS

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 because they are not getting full sun and have lots of humidity. Cold hardiness is about 21 to 22 degrees F. In the desert only give it a few hours sun.

Shown below are E. lehmannii that were put into 5 gallon pots about 9 months ago. They have r to 6 leaves with caudexes 1 to 1.5 inches. They can remain in these containers for 2 to 3 years. Easy to mail order. We do have larger sizes of 5 gallon not on sale currently. This size is easy to mail order.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE 5 GALLON $175
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 5 GALLON $135

The third row of photos shows other Nursery E. lehmannii. The 4th row shows garden specimens.

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

FOR SPECIES DESCRIPTION - SEE ABOVE
This sale price is for plants with ball like caudexes.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON THIS SPECIES $160 PER INCH CAUDEX DIAMETER

TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SPECIES $140 PER INCH CAUDEX DIAMETER

(NOTE, OLDER CYCADS WITH VERTICAL TRUNK NOT INCLUDED AT THIS PRICE)

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

FICUS AURICULATA
AKA FICUS ROXBURHII
THE ROXBURG FIG

LARGE ROUND GREEN LEAVES
RARE MEDIUM SIZE TREE MATURE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON

Only a few times before have we offered this rare round leafed Fig species. It is known for its large round leaves that get twelve to 18 inches across with a drip tip. New leaves emerge bronze or light red. Leaf stems are short. The leaf texture is slightly crinkled. Mature height in the ground is 15 to 30 feet. Fruiting figs cluster on older branches. The trunk is gray colored and smooth. It is a full sun species and cold hardy into the mid-twenties F. These plants were taken by cuttings about 9 months ago from a tree in Southern CA. We only have several left for sale.

TEN DAY SPECIAL TWO GALLON $100

The garden specimen below is c/o Wikipedia.

ALOCASIA WENTII
SEMI-DWARF TROPICAL ELEPHANT EAR PLANT

PURPLE UNDERSIDE TO LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 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 good sized 5 gallon with multiple stems. Of note, some are using this species as an interior plant.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON THIS SPECIES $100
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $80

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special when you purchase. Mail order possible.

THE SNOWBUSH PLANT
BREYNIA DISTICHA

UNUSUAL GARDEN COMPANION PLANT
SMALLER GREEN, WHITE & PINK BUSH
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 & 5 GALLON SIZES

This sought after smaller bush is native to Asia in various tropical islands. Contrary to the name, it does not survive if you live in an area where it snows. Rather, it looks like a green bush with snow on it. Leaves are green with white accents. With age you also get a flush of pink. Leaves are very small. Mature height it 3 to 4 feet. This species wants full or part day sun. Cold tolerance is a bit below a freeze. This is a very attractive companion plant where one wants an addition of white foliage – perhaps to contrast other colors. I am putting our 1g and 5g on Special. Both are nicely sizes and both can be mail ordered. The one gallon are shown in the first group of photos - the 5g in the second. We have good numbers available but seldom offer them on sale.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 GALLON $35
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $65

MUSA SUMATRANA ZEBRINA
A NON-FRUITING BANANA ORNAMENTAL BANANA

TOP OF LEAF - RED BLOTCHES ON GREEN
BOTTOM OF LEAF - MAROON
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON PLANTS

The plants I'm showing here are a non-fruiting type of ornamental Banana. Like most Bananas, it does sucker and the mature height is six to eight feet. It has light green leaves with attractive purple splotches and maroon underside. See photos below. It'd want full sun outdoors (along the coast) and should be cold tolerant well into the mid-twenties F. Some are also growing it as an indoor plant. We're putting our one gallon on sale. See first six photos below. Also shown below is our 15g size of a similar Banana - Musa sumatana hybrid that looks quite similar to the one on sale. But, these 15 gallon plants will produce fruit. In the garden sumatrana zebrina wants at least half day sun. Cold hardiness is into the mid 20's F.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 1 GALLON $37.50

WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY, 2023

CYCADS WITH UPRIGHT LEAVES
RARE NURSERY SPECIMENS OF GOOD SIZE

SOME AGES 20 TO 100 YEARS!
AN ASSORTMENT OF PLANTS

Many times consumers or businesses want cycads where the leaves go up rather than "out". This is usually because they have a specific need to have plants with a crown of leaves that is more vertical than horizontal. Obviously, this keeps leaves from blocking people walking by the plant. So, with this in mind, we took photographs of some of our cycads with upright leaves. Realize that many species do this naturally - have leaves with a more upright orientation. Other species will be upright on their new throws of leaves and then upright leaves relax down as the next swirl emerges. To maintain upright leaves one would remove the lower, older swirls of leaves. The photos here are not a complete list of such plants but will give the reader an idea of what I'm talking about.

Photos Shown Below Mostly Taken at Our Nursery:

Ceratozamia robusta, several plants showing upright leaves
Dioon mejiae, several nursery plants with upright leaves
Dioon merolae, a 100 year old cycad with 2 feet of vertical trunk, upright leaves
Dioon holmgrenei, several plants showing new leaves are upright
Encephalartos altensteinii, new leaves on these plant go upright. Older leaves may lay down somewhat.
Encephalartos gratus, several plants showing upright leaves
Encephalartos kisambo, note the upright character of the leaves
Encephalartos natalensis, like some others, new leaves upright, old leaves hang down
Encephalartos transvenosus, similar with newer leaves upright
Encephalartos villosus, several nursery plants, all with upright leaves
Encephalartos whitelockii, naturally upright leaves on all these great nursery cycads

ONLY A PARTIAL LIST - ARE MANY OTHERS WITH UPRIGHT LEAVES

As most of you know, we have a great selection of mature rare cycads - probably one of the best selections in the country. What you may not know is how actively we work with architects on getting these great plants into venues where many people see them. This includes botanical gardens, theme parks, public plantings, museums, parks, etc. But, we have enough inventory so that even enthusiasts like perhaps yourself can enjoy them as well. With over 25,000 rare cycads available, from seedlings to many huge coning sized plants, there's something of every size for everyone.

Ceratozamia robusta	Ceratozamia robusta	Ceratozamia robusta
Dioon mejiae	Dioon mejiae	Dioon mejiae
Dioon merolae	Dioon merolae	Dioon merolae
Dioon holmgrenei	Dioon holmgrenei	Dioon holmgrenei
Encephalartos altensteinii	Encephalartos altensteinii	Encephalartos altensteinii
Encephalartos gratus	Encephalartos gratus	Encephalartos gratus
Encephalartos kisambo	Encephalartos kisambo	Encephalartos kisambo
Encephalartos natalensis	Encephalartos natalensis	Encephalartos natalensis
Encephalartos transvenosus	Encephalartos transvenosus	Encephalartos transvenosus
Encephalartos villosus	Encephalartos villosus	Encephalartos villosus
Encephalartos whitelockii	Encephalartos whitelockii	Encephalartos whitelockii

COCONUT QUEEN PALM
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WHEN MATURE
NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND

MEDIUM HEIGHT – SYAGRUS HYBRID
TEN DAY SPECIAL SUN READY BOX SIZED 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 sized palm. The trunk will be thinner than the normal Queen and the overall size will be less. The attached photos of near mature plants show how pretty it is. And, that they are not overly tall. 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 hybrid likes full sun, is a medium rate grower and has a cold hardiness estimated to be in the low 20's F. Mature height should be about 25 feet. For those who want the fluffy appearance of the Queen Palm without the large size, this palm is perfect for you. Be aware, these are extremely difficult to find and are presently in super short supply.

We’re putting huge 24 inch boxes on sale. They are about 10 - 12 feet tall in their box. This hybrid likes full sun, is a medium rate grower. We have what may be the last three plants in this area.

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

The 9th photo is by J.I.

TRACHYCARPUS FORTUNEI
THE WINDMILL PALM

ONE OF THE MOST COLD HARDY PALMS
MEDIUM HEIGHT GREEN LEAF FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 15 GALLON SIZE

Most specimens one will see are in the height range of ten to twenty feet. However, the oldest of trees may reach forty feet height. The actual trunk diameter is typically six to ten inches. The leaves are typically about three feet in diameter and have variable division of the segments. Leaves are green on the upper side and below, but it is not uncommon for one can see a bit of blue discoloration to the underside of the leaf. Distal leaf segments can flex downward toward the ground. Shown below are 15 gallon plants we’re putting on Special.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $155

Remember to mention this Special when you purchase. Mail order possible but would be expensive and require a very large box.

TRACHYCARPUS FORTUNEI
THE WINDMILL PALM

ONE OF THE MOST COLD HARDY PALMS
MEDIUM HEIGHT GREEN LEAF FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 25 GALLON SIZE

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

Shown below are 25 gallon plants we’re putting on Special. They have about three feet of trunk and are about ten years old.

REGULAR PRICE 25 GALLON $425
TEN DAY SPECIAL 25 GALLON $370

Remember to mention this Special when you purchase. These plants are too big for mail order but can be deivered.

LIVISTONA LANUGINOSA
THE CAPE RIVER LIVISTONA – THE WOOLY LIVISTONA

TALL FAN PALM WITH THIN TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

This Australian fan palm is a very interesting species and also known as the "Wooly Livistona". It is apparently threatened in habitat. In the northeastern part of Australia it lives at an altitude of 200 meters. It reaches a height of over fifty feet with a trunk that’s about a foot thick. Leaves are bluish or blue-green, stiff and waxy. Leaf stems have barbs and leaves extend out six to eight feet. It is most similar to Livistona marie but, by report, has larger purple fruit. It is one of the most rare species of this genus. It enjoys full hot sun. Exact cold tolerance is unclear but probably into the mid-twenties F. We have a limited number of 15g which we’re putting on special. The habitat photo is by John Dowe of AU.

REGULAR PRICE 15G SIZE $235
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE $210

CHAMAEDOREA RADICALIS
TRUE TRUNK-LESS, DWARF FORM

NEVER GETS OVER SIX FEET TALL
SHADE PALM - QUITE COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 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 only a few 5g (shown first four photos below)which we're putting on sale.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $145
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $115

DYPSIS BARONII
SUCKERING MEDIUM SIZED PINNATE PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

CUSTOMER FAVORITE - PARTIAL SUN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

Fifteen gallon size on Special. Description & culture below. Last 2 photos by JS

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $235
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $215

Locality:	Madagascar
Cold Hardiness:	About 28 degrees F.
Trunk Type:	Smooth, nicely ringed, thin, crown shafted
Leaf Type:	Pinnate
Suckering/Solitary:	Suckering
Maintenance:	Fairly easy to grow
Speed of growth:	Medium
Height:	About 15 to 20 feet
Soil requirements:	Sandy, well-drained
Sun requirements:	Part day sun, strong filtered, or possibly coastal full sun
General Description:	A very gorgeous, suckering, thin trunked crown shafted palm that is easy to grow and can be placed in an different types of sun positions. It is a good grower and fairly dependable. Specimens are fruiting in the U.S.
Further Data:	Younger plants have a variety of colors (yellow, red, silver) on the trunks. Tend toward a gray color when they get larger. Prominent rings. A must for all palm gardens!

LIVISTONA SARIBUS
LARGE, DARK & HOOKED SPINES

MEDIUM TO TALL FAN PALM
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON POT 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 5g on sale are nicely sized. We also have 15 gallon plants available. Shipping is possible. The last photo is by John Volk.

REGULAR PRICE 5G $135
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5G $105

PRITCHARDIA HILLEBRANDII
A HAWAIIAN LOULU FAN PALM

MEDIUM SIZED MATURE - NICE SEMI-FLAT GREEN LEAVES
WHITE TOMENTUM ON LEAF STEMS AND INNER CROWN
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

If you like fan palms, then you have to try some Pritchardia palms. There are about 25 species of Pritchardia. All the best ones come from the Hawaiian Islands. The species from the South Pacific are to be avoided as they don't do well here. This species reaches a medium height of 25 feet. Leaves are green. They have white tomentum (hairs) on the leaf stem and trunk. You can even see this on the leaf stems of the one gallon below. C Trunk diameter is medium, about ten inches. Growth rate is medium. This is a very attractive palm. I have one in my garden that gets partial sun and is at least 20 feet tall. Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F. Mail order easy.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $55

PRESTOEA MONTANA
AKA PRESTOEA ACUMINATA VAR. MONTANA

RARE PINNATE PALM FROM PUERTO RICO
TEN DAY SPECIAL 1G SIZE

Prestoea is a genus that is very closely related to another palm genus, Euterpe. It is found in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Essentially all Euterpe are crown shafted palms. Many of the Prestoea are not. There are also distinctions between the flowers of these two genera. Also, many of the Prestoea are suckering. But, there is one that is single trunk. This is Prestoea montana, native to mountainous areas of Puerto Rico. I've always known of this species as not having a crown shaft. But, I've seen photos (including ones from native habitats) where a crown shaft is seen.

The hallmarks of this species are its wide and very shiny green leaves, its somewhat slender trunk and its overall beautiful appearance. Plant heights can reach forty feet or more. This species should be grown in part day sun or filtered light. It likes rich soil and ample moisture. I'd estimate its cold tolerance is down to about a freeze or a bit less. It is not a species for a beginner to try. We're putting the one gallon plants on Special. We do have larger sizes available up to 15 gallon. Note that this species has historically been known as "Prestoea montana" but in more recent years has been considered a variety of P. acuminata.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON $70
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $60

Remember: Mention this Special for this price

DYPSIS DECARYI
THE TRIANGLE PALM

MEDIUM MATURE HEIGHT
THREE SIDED CROWN SHAFT WITH COLOR
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

This Madagascar palm is known as the "Triangle Palm" because the crown shaft has three flat sides. This crown shaft has multiple colors including purple, silver and black. 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. The band size on special are healthy and near ready for repotting. These are easy to mail order.

6REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $50

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

BUTIA PARAGUAYENSIS
BLUE-GREEN BUTIA FROM SOUTH AMERICA

ARCHING LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL SEEDLING 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 band size seedlings. 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 BAND SIZE $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE SEEDLINGS $50

BURRETIOKENTIA HAPALA
AN EXOTIC NEW CALEDONIAN PALM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE

In the mid-1980's I began to grow some of the very cool palms from new Caledonia. By 1995 I was totally into it and this led to my arranging the fantastic International Palm Society Biennial trip to New Caledonia that happened during my tenure as President in the year 2000. I just didn't know of a better place for a bunch of palm enthusiasts to go and see some of the best palms in the world. This species, Burretiokential hapala, is one of those palms.

It is a crown shafted, single trun pinnate 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 lower. 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 here are the band size 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 BAND SIZE $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $55

Remember: Mention this Special for you discount.

ENCEPHALARTOS EUGENE-MARAISII
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FROM THE TRANSVAAL AREA

VERY SOUGHT AFTER BY ENTHUSIAST
MEDIUM SIZED MATURE - UPRIGHT LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON SIZE

This species is endemic to the Waterberg range in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Their habitat is dry and arid. They grow on steep rocky slops, grasslands and savanna. It is a small to medium sized species. Leaf length generally does not exceed a meter and stems can get about four meters high. Of the Transvaal (previous province within South Africa north of the Vaal River) species, this is the most common. That being said, this species is still exceptionally rare and almost extinct in the wild.

The leaves on this species can vary from a blue/green color, to a powdery silver and in some cases be an aquamarine. Leaflets twist almost perpendicular to the petiole, giving them a 'stacking' appearance (like blinds). In coastal and inland areas, this species prefers to be in the full sun, but can tolerate partial sun. Cold tolerance is about 22 degrees F.

The one gallon plants on Special are about 4 years old and typically holding three leaves with a caudex size up to one inch. Easy to mail order, weather permitting, within the U.S.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON $165

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

ENCEPHALARTOS LATIFRONS - TRAPPES VALLEY
UNBELIEVABLY RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

ONE OF THE MOST COVETED CYCADS ON THE PLANET
MEDIUM SIZED MATURE - GORGEOUS AND DIFFERENT
TEN DAY SPECIAL JUVENILE PLANTS IN 5 GALLON POTS

This extremely rare and hard to obtain species is almost extinct in its habitat location in South Africa. Fewer than a hundred plants remain and specialists say populations are declining. It has green or blue green leaves. There are two distinct cultivars of this plant, "Trappes Valley" and " green hills". Between the two types, the Trappes Valley form is more sought after. The plants on special are this “Trappes Valley” variety – from seed from domestic parents of both sexes of this form. This is a green cycad with a distinctive look. It has large, curved leaves. Leaflets are typically stacked and have wide, prominent lobes (modified spines) on their margins. This is a medium sized plant. Leaves can range in size from a meter to a meter and a half depending on cultivar. Stems tend can reach approximately three meters (ancient plant, this is a VERY slow growing species). It tolerates full sun along the coast and is cold tolerant down to about 22 degrees F. Please protect it from cold if you get colder than this.

We just obtained a nice selection of juvenile plants from a private collector. These are about 3 years old and in 5 gallon pots with 2-3 leaves. One has 4 leaves which I'm showing below and is available. When it sells, others have a lesser number of leaves. Be aware that I just found one leaf new seedlings on line selling for $499. These are older and at a better price than this. Be aware these are near impossible to get and I only have a few left for sale.

TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE YOUNG 5 GALLON PLANTS AS SHOWN $455

ENCEPHALARTOS ARENARIUS - BLUE & GREEN VARIETIES
RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

MEDIUM SIZE MATURE - LIKES COASTAL SUN
STUNNING SPINY LEAVES - BLUE OR GREEN OR IN-BETWEEN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

Encephalartos arenarius is from the coastal dunes and forest close to Alexandria in the Eastern Cape. This species is small to medium in mature size. Leaf length can range from one to two meters (i.e. three to six feet approximately) depending on cultivar and exposure to sun. Like many of the Encephalartos from the Eastern Cape, this species is variable in color, size and leaf type. E. arenarius can range in color from a dull green to a powdery white color (bearing a likeness to E. horridus). The plants of this species are both blue and green forms, but this plant below is the blue type - especially when in full sun. To get this color it will want full sun or an ample amount of sun. It prefers a well draining soil. Speed of growth of this cycad is good.

The size we’re putting on special are younger 5 gallon with caudexes of about an inch. They can continue growing in these pots for about three years. This batch should have blue-green leaves.

REGULAR PRICE THIS SIZE 5 GALLON $155
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 5 GALLON $135

Remember to mention this Blog Special for your discount when you order.

ENCEPHALARTOS ALTENSTEINII
LARGER GREEN CYCAD FROM SO AFRICA

FULL CROWN OF LEAVES - HUSKY TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE SEEDLINGS

This is a medium to large green cycad from the Eastern Cape region of the Republic of South Africa. It was named after a Prussian statesman and is listed a a threatened cycad species. Mature height after many decades can reach up to over sixteen feet. Leaf length is six feet with trunk diameter of up to 18 to 24 inches. Leaflets have spines, especially when young. The base of the leaf stems are usually devoid of prickles or spines. Leaf color is a shiny green. Along the coast this species tolerates full sun or part day sun. It easily withstands a freeze and has an absolute cold tolerance down to about 22 degrees F. It can easily be grown on the patio if given adequate light. Desert areas should consider only a few hours of direct desert sun. It is best to give this species plenty of room in the garden. It makes a spectacular specimen plant. We are offering seedlings in the band size on special. These are easy to ship within the U.S.

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZE $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZE $55

FUCREA QUICHEENSIS
A RARE AND STUNNING BLUE FUCREA

MEDIUM HEIGHT MATURE
THIN BLUE STRAP-LIKE SOFT LEAVES
TEN DAY SPECIAL JUVENILE 4 INCH POT SIZE

This extremely rare and difficult to find variety of Fucrea is native to southwest Guatemala and southern Mexico on the Pacific side. Plants have thin trunks with a mature heights of six to nine feet with beautiful heads of super blue strap-like blue leaves. The leaves are a rosette and this crown is six feet or more wide. Trunks have been known to fork when mature. Unlike other Fucrea that produce bubils, this species sets seeds. This is a full sun species and is cold hardy (by estimate) into the mid to upper 20's F. Mail order would be simple.

REGULAR PRICE 4 INCH $50
TEN DAY SPECIAL 4 INCH $45

Garden/wild photos below by Agaveville website and TS at RPS.

YUCCA ROSTRATA
BLUE SUCCULENT WITH AMAZING COLD HARDINESS

SEMI-DWARF SIZE MATURE
BEING GROWN IN NEW YORK IN THE SNOW!
JUVENILE 4 INCH POTS ON SALE

This small to medium sized, drought tolerant plant is native to the southern U.S. border and down into Mexico. It is usually a single trunk mature plant but can fork above the ground. Most notable is the silver-blue foliage as shown here. It is very slow growing. Over time it forms a trunk about eight or ten inches thick. Foliage is about 2 feet long and not "pokey" or sharp. It demands full sun and is cold hardy at least into the single digits F. I had a customer call me from New York City recently to tell me that a plant bought from us about three years ago was thriving in his yard. Gardeners like this species because it's not very big and gives nice color to a sunny garden. The size we’re putting on sale are juvenile 4 inch pot size and have four to six leaves. This is a good starter size but will take time to make a nice garden plant. These would be easy to mail order. Of note, we also have 3 gallon for sale.

REGULAR PRICE 4 INCH $40
TEN DAY SPECIAL 4 INCH $35

Garden photos are by it.dreamstime.org and USF.ed

FICUS UMBELLATA
INTERIOR / EXTERIOR PLANT WITH LARGE ROUND LEAVES

DWARF MATURE SIZE - STRIKING APPEARANCE
NEWLY AVAILABLE TREE FOR ENTHUSIASTS
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE

Until about 3 months ago, I had never heard of this species. There's essentially no scientific articles on it on the Internet. I've read that it is native to South Africa. It's mentioned as a smaller replacement for the popular Fiddle Leaf Fig. It differs from the latter in that it's leaves are very soft and pliable. It is also much smaller tree mature. The Fiddle Leaf Fig in my yard is over 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide with a thick trunk. This new species is supposed to be a real dwarf, not getting over 4 to 6 feet tall. Leaves are a foot wide, prominently veined and round. Inside, it's said to want very bright light - next to a bright window. Cold hardiness is unknown. We'll know more by next spring after we winter them over at our nursery. I have no data growing it outdoors. We're offering some nicely sized 15 gallon that are 7 to 8 feet tall in thier pots. I only have a couple. They are apparently near mature height. BTW, this is only the second time we've offered this tree for sale. We know it does well as an interior plant but data on growing outside is limited.

TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $245

Sorry, but no photos of mature trees are available.

PHILODENDRON SPECIES
RED ON BOTH SIDES

CLIMBING SPECIES - FANTASTIC PLANT!
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON SIZE

Shown below are plants that came from cuttings of a climbing Philodendron from my garden. Every morning at dawn when I work in my home office I look east out the window and see the morning light showing through this plants leaves. It's so beautiful and such a delight to see. The plant in my garden has now climbed up about 25 feet on a King Palm trunk. Leaves are about 18 inches long and 12 inches wide mature. Leaf stems are red. I do not know the species name of this plant. I got it from an old time collector 40 years ago. I've only offered it for sale once or twice in the past forty years. The first photo shows the back of the leaf with light showing through a leaf. As it's now nighttime while I'm writing this, I cannot take a photo of the mother plant.

TEN DAY SPECIAL TWO GALLON PLANTS $35

I only have a handful of these available. It's a spectacular companion plant.

MONDAY, 23 JANUARY, 2023

BAD PALM SEEDS?
HOW CAN YOU TELL?

THE FLOAT TEST
THE PINCH TEST
CUT THE SEED OPEN

Many people love to germinate palm seeds and make their plants. But, there are a few things you need to now right from the beginning if you want to successfully germinate.

1. Get fresh seeds. Right off the tree is best.
2. Pick seeds that are mature, often colorful. Green seeds germinate poorly.
3. Remove the fruit from the seeds until you have a clean, often tan colored inner seed. Fruit can contain chemicals that retard germination.
4. Pinch test seeds. Take the picked seeds (with or without fruit) and squeeze hard between two fingers. They should never collapse.
5. Float Test the seeds. Palm seeds almost always sink in water. Floaters are almost always bad. Inner cavities of rot within the seed make them float.
6. Cut open a few seeds. The fruit should be white or light tan, solid and without signs of rot. And, you definitely do not want to see inner cavities.
7. Always soak the cleaned seeds in pure water, especially if you had seeds shipped to you. This rehydrates them. If seeds are right off a tree and the fruit is moist and fresh, soaking is not necessary. But, they would still be cleaned of any fruit.

Photos here show seeds with fruit, the float test with floaters and sinkers and a few seeds cut open showing inner cavities (a bad sign). For techniques on germination, see our article on Palm Seed Germination at this website.

Butia capitata seeds with fresh yellow fruit
Chambeyronia seeds with red fruit

Green seeds, not ready to pick

Livistona saribus seeds with blue fruit

Cleaning fruit off Jubaea chilensis

Float test: Note floating seeds
Float test - Astrocaryum seeds floating

Float Test: Note good seeds sink to bottom
Sinking seeds on float test
Cavity in bad Astrocaryum mexicanum seeds

Cavity in Astrocaryum mexicanum
Cavity in bad Gastrococos crispa seeds
Cavity in Gastrococus crispa

HOW DOES ONE TELL IF HIS PALM IS DEAD?
IS MY PALM STILL GROWING?
HOW FAST IS IT GROWING?
MARK THE NEW SPEAR!

It is surprising that many palm enthusiasts don't know how to tell if their palm is alive or dead after some type of insult such as severe cold. It's simple to determine if the plant is alive and growing. Mark the central newest spear side by side while marking an adjacent fully extended leaf. See the photo. Then watch for the two moving apart. The line of the new spear moves upward while the adjacent mark on the full size leaf stays the same. Look at the difference movement of the new spear over time. You can also tell how fast it's growing. During the growing season (when warm), most palms will show a quarter of an inch or more of vertical new spear growth per day. To confirm a serious problem, you'd note that there is no movement of the spear over several weeks. But, if the new leaf spear is green, don't give up. Just give it an extended period of time and watch for movement. The photo shown here is of a marked spear on a 15 gallon Dypsis decaryi. Note the horizontal black permanent marker marks. The new spear is on the left in the photo.

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA
A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

ONE OF THE BEST PALMS FOR INSIDE
GREAT GARDEN PLANT AS WELL
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.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 25 GALLON $750
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 25 GALLON $665

The sale plant is shown in the first 6 photos.

PRITCHARDIA SPECIES
OLD AND HUGE 15G PLANTS

UNKNOWN SPECIES FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
HAWAIIAN SPECIES ONLY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15G SIZE

Pritchardia are a tropical fan palm that typically get heights of ten to twenty-five feet. They are considered a medium height palm. They have lush green leaves that are flat or a bit wavy. Often species have a lot of white tomentum on the leaf stems. We call it the Hawaiian Palm because it's the only palm that is native to Hawaii. Before men introduced other species, there were only Pritchardias on these islands.

For over a decade we have held back a huge selection of Pritchardia. This includes only true Hawaiian species. Most of them have been grown outdoors - many in full sun. I have 15g and 25 gallon plants. Ages are ten to fifteen years. All are huge for their pots. Unfortunately, when I bought the collection the individual plants were not tagged. I could guess at the species on most of them but have not done that. But, I know that all are from parents on the Hawaiian Islands. I’m selling them as Pritchardia species. Sizes on some are eight to ten feet in their pots with very thick trunks. And, most are sun ready - instant planting material. We have about five or six different species.

These plants take full coastal sun or part day sun inland. Cold hardiness is into the mid-twenties F. or perhaps a bit lower. They've seen all the cold we've had in the past three years. The one shown here is representative of most of the 15 gallon that we have. Note the formed trunk at the base and overall size. A representative 15g (not the largest of the group for sure) is shown in the first two rows of photos. A 25 gallon is shown in the third row of photos.

REGULAR PRICE THESE 15 GALLON HUGE PALMS $350
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS BATCH OF 15 GALLON $275

Just mention this Blog Only Special at time of purchase to get 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.

Encephalartos princeps	Encephalartos arenarius
Macrozamia communis	Cycas panzhihuaensis

Butia capitata seeds with fresh yellow fruit	Chambeyronia seeds with red fruit Green seeds, not ready to pick	Livistona saribus seeds with blue fruit
Cleaning fruit off Jubaea chilensis	Float test: Note floating seeds	Float test - Astrocaryum seeds floating
Float Test: Note good seeds sink to bottom	Sinking seeds on float test	*Cavity in bad Astrocaryum mexicanum* seeds**
Cavity in Astrocaryum mexicanum	*Cavity in bad Gastrococos crispa* seeds**	Cavity in Gastrococus crispa

PALM TREE, CYCAD & TROPICAL PLANT BLOG PLANTS FOR SALE

SPECIAL SALE ITEMS

NEW PLANT ARRIVALS & DISCOUNT PLANTS PALM TREE, CYCAD AND TROPICAL PLANT BLOG

CYPHOPHOENIX NUCELE RARE, ELEGANT, THIN TRUNK PALM

TRACHYCARPUS FORTUNEI THE WINDMILL PALM ONE OF THE MOST COLD HARDY PALMS

BURRETIOKENTIA VIEILLARDII THE TIGER PALM - STRIPED CROWN SHAFT

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX THE NEEDLE PALM

PRITCHARDIA MARTII HAWAIIAN FAN PALM

CHAMAEDOREA GEONOMIFORMIS SINGLE TRUNK, DWARF UNDERSTORY PALM

SABAL PALMETTO THE PALMETTO PALM

SUPER UNUSUAL ENCEPHALARTOS HYBRID F2 HYBRID WITH E. WOODII POLLEN

BILBERGIA CLUSTERS WITH CASCADING PINK BLOSSOMS IN BLOSSOM RIGHT NOW

ENSETE VENTICOSUM "MAURELII" THE RED BANANA

CHAMBEYRONIA HOOKERI THE BLONDE FLAME THROWER PALM

PRESTOEA MONTANA AKA PRESTOEA ACUMINATA VAR. MONTANA

ARCHONTOPHOENIX BEATRICAE RARE VARIETY OF THE KING PALM

TRITHRINAX ACANTHACOMA AKA TRITHIRNAX BRASILIENSIS SPINY TRUNK - MEDIUM HEIGHT FAN PALM

DYPSIS PEMBANA SINGLE TRUNK OR SUCKERING NATIVE TO PEMBA ISLAND

RHAPIS EXCELSA THE LADY PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS TRISPINOSUS BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

PANDOREA JASMINOIDES "ROSEA" CLIMBING VINE, COLD HARDY, EVERGREEN, LARGE FLOWERS

PANDOREA JASMINOIDES - WHITE CLIMBING VINE, COLD HARDY, EVERGREEN, LARGE FLOWERS

CHAMBEYRONIA MACROCARPA THE FLAME THROWER PALM NEW RED EMERGING LEAF

LACCOSPADIX AUSTRALASICA SUCKERING MOUNTAIN FORM

TRITHRINAX CAMPESTRIS BLUE, SUCKERING FAN PALM VERY COLD HARDY

SABAL MINOR THE DWARF PALMETTO

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX SEMI-DWARF SUCKERING BAMBOO PALM

ROYSTONEA OLERACEA THE SOUTH AMERICAN ROYAL PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS PAUCIDENTATUS MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

SILVER BRAKE FERN PTERIS CRETICA

BIRDS NEST ANTHURIUM ANTHURIUM HOOKERI

THE PERFECT COMPANION PLANT

LIGULARIA TUSSILANGINEA LILY-LIKE, FLAT GREEN LEAVES

HIBISCUS MIDNIGHT RED BLOSSOM

POTTING UP A NEW PALM SEEDLING PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING TECHNIQUE - VEITCHIA SEEDLINGS

ASSORTED BROMELIADS NEW ONES ARRIVING ALMOST WEEKLY

PINANGA JAVANA SINGLE TRUNK, TROPICAL & EXOTIC SPECIES

PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS TALL PALM WITH BLUE-GREEN LEAVES

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM

CRYOSOPHILA STAURACANTHA SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED TROPICAL FAN PALM

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

COCCOTHRINAX BARBADENSIS MEDIUM SIZED, NARROW TRUNK VERY "CUTE PALM" WITH GREEN OR SILVER GREEN LEAVES SPECIAL NICE 2 GALLON SIZE FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE 2G $80 TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $67.50 Remember: Mention this Special when you purchase to get this discount.

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FOR SUN

LIVISTONA LANUGINOSA THE CAPE RIVER LIVISTONA – THE WOOLY LIVISTONA

DYPSIS DECARYI THE TRIANGLE PALM

BUTIA PARAGUAYENSIS BLUE-GREEN BUTIA FROM SOUTH AMERICA

BAD PALM SEEDS? HOW CAN YOU TELL?

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM

PALM TREE, CYCAD & TROPICAL PLANT BLOG
PLANTS FOR SALE

NEW PLANT ARRIVALS & DISCOUNT PLANTS
PALM TREE, CYCAD AND TROPICAL PLANT BLOG

CYPHOPHOENIX NUCELE
RARE, ELEGANT, THIN TRUNK PALM

TRACHYCARPUS FORTUNEI
THE WINDMILL PALM
ONE OF THE MOST COLD HARDY PALMS

BURRETIOKENTIA VIEILLARDII
THE TIGER PALM - STRIPED CROWN SHAFT

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX
THE NEEDLE PALM

PRITCHARDIA MARTII
HAWAIIAN FAN PALM

CHAMAEDOREA GEONOMIFORMIS
SINGLE TRUNK, DWARF UNDERSTORY PALM

SABAL PALMETTO
THE PALMETTO PALM

SUPER UNUSUAL ENCEPHALARTOS HYBRID
F2 HYBRID WITH E. WOODII POLLEN

BILBERGIA CLUSTERS WITH CASCADING PINK BLOSSOMS
IN BLOSSOM RIGHT NOW

ENSETE VENTICOSUM "MAURELII"
THE RED BANANA

CHAMBEYRONIA HOOKERI
THE BLONDE FLAME THROWER PALM

PRESTOEA MONTANA
AKA PRESTOEA ACUMINATA VAR. MONTANA

ARCHONTOPHOENIX BEATRICAE
RARE VARIETY OF THE KING PALM

TRITHRINAX ACANTHACOMA
AKA TRITHIRNAX BRASILIENSIS
SPINY TRUNK - MEDIUM HEIGHT FAN PALM

DYPSIS PEMBANA
SINGLE TRUNK OR SUCKERING
NATIVE TO PEMBA ISLAND

RHAPIS EXCELSA
THE LADY PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS TRISPINOSUS
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

PANDOREA JASMINOIDES "ROSEA"
CLIMBING VINE, COLD HARDY, EVERGREEN, LARGE FLOWERS

PANDOREA JASMINOIDES - WHITE
CLIMBING VINE, COLD HARDY, EVERGREEN, LARGE FLOWERS

CHAMBEYRONIA MACROCARPA
THE FLAME THROWER PALM
NEW RED EMERGING LEAF

LACCOSPADIX AUSTRALASICA
SUCKERING MOUNTAIN FORM

TRITHRINAX CAMPESTRIS
BLUE, SUCKERING FAN PALM
VERY COLD HARDY

SABAL MINOR
THE DWARF PALMETTO

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX
SEMI-DWARF SUCKERING BAMBOO PALM

ROYSTONEA OLERACEA
THE SOUTH AMERICAN ROYAL PALM

ENCEPHALARTOS PAUCIDENTATUS
MEDIUM TO LARGE RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

SILVER BRAKE FERN
PTERIS CRETICA

BIRDS NEST ANTHURIUM
ANTHURIUM HOOKERI

LIGULARIA TUSSILANGINEA
LILY-LIKE, FLAT GREEN LEAVES

HIBISCUS MIDNIGHT
RED BLOSSOM

POTTING UP A NEW PALM SEEDLING
PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING TECHNIQUE -
VEITCHIA SEEDLINGS

ASSORTED BROMELIADS
NEW ONES ARRIVING ALMOST WEEKLY

PINANGA JAVANA
SINGLE TRUNK, TROPICAL & EXOTIC SPECIES

PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS
TALL PALM WITH BLUE-GREEN LEAVES

KENTIOPSIS OLIVIFORMIS
A GREAT CROWN SHAFTED PALM

CRYOSOPHILA STAURACANTHA
SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED TROPICAL FAN PALM

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
BLUE SINGLE TRUNK FAN PALM FROM MADAGASCAR

COCCOTHRINAX BARBADENSIS
MEDIUM SIZED, NARROW TRUNK

VERY "CUTE PALM" WITH GREEN OR SILVER GREEN LEAVES
SPECIAL NICE 2 GALLON SIZE

FOR DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE

REGULAR PRICE 2G $80
TEN DAY SPECIAL 2 GALLON $67.50

Remember: Mention this Special when you purchase to get this discount.

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FOR SUN

LIVISTONA LANUGINOSA
THE CAPE RIVER LIVISTONA – THE WOOLY LIVISTONA

DYPSIS DECARYI
THE TRIANGLE PALM

BUTIA PARAGUAYENSIS
BLUE-GREEN BUTIA FROM SOUTH AMERICA

BAD PALM SEEDS?
HOW CAN YOU TELL?

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA
A RARE TYPE OF LADY PALM