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THIS PAGE HAS CURRENT POSTS FOR  NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 2024

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

CYCADS WITH UPRIGHT LEAVES
RARE NURSERY SPECIMENS OF GOOD SIZE


CYCADS AT NURSERY - 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.  Of coursse, be aware that some specimens below may have sold by the time you inquire or visit us. 

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

WE USUALLY CAN OFFER NICE 15 GALLON SIZE
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 problem is we always run out of them.  To satisfy our customer demand, we recently got in some more of the 15g size.  But, there are very limited numbers.  We are offering them at one of the best prices we've ever offered.  This palm loves full hot sun and can take down to 15 degrees F.  So, almost all of you can grow this palm.  The row of three palms in the last row are being grown in San Diego, CA, about a half mile from the Bay.  These are cold hardy to about 15 degrees and demand full, hot sun.  The last time we offered them we ran out in a few days, so we ordered in a next batch of this size.  If our 15 gallons sell out, many times we can acquire more.  And, we may be a few larger plants.

REGULAR PRICE 15G $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE $170

We tend to sell out of these quickly but often can re-order in some more if this happens. 

KING PALM
ARCHONTOPHOENIX CUNNINGHAMIANA

MEDIUM TO TALL, FULL OR PART DAY SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SINGLES, DOUBLES OR TRIPLES – SUN GROWN

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 plants below on Special are fairly tall triple 15 gallon plants.  These plants have seen some coastal sun and should be ready to plant in most areas.  We have a limited number available. 

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON TRIPLES $185
TEN DAY SPECIAL PRICE 15 GALLON TRIPLES $160

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 ON 15 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 is our 15g size on sale.  We have limited numbers available.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $275
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $240

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

CHAMBEYRONIA MACROCARPA
THE FLAME THROWER PALM
NEW RED EMERGING LEAF

DARK GREEN CROWN SHAFT
SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

CHAMAEDOREA COSTARICANA
ONE OF THE BEST BAMBOO PALMS

EASY TO GROW - A GREAT INTERIOR PALM 
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

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

Below I'm showing in the first six photos the 5g size which we’re putting on sale.  This size can be mail ordered no problem.

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

Remember:  Mention this Special for this Blog Only discounted price.  

BUTIA PARAGUAYENSIS
BLUE-GREEN BUTIA FROM SOUTH AMERICA

ARCHING LEAVES – MEDIUM HEIGHT
TEN DAY SPECIAL NICE 5 GALLON SIZE


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

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

HOWEA FORSTERIANA
THE KENTIA PALM

GREAT PATIO OR INTERIOR PALM - OR IN THE GARDEN
TEN DAY SPECIAL ONE GALLON MULTIPLES

Howea forsteriana, the popular Kentia Palm, is native to Lord Howe Island.  There it lives at lower elevations.  At higher elevations up the mountains one sees Howea belmoreana and Hedyscepe.  The Kentia does great here in So California.   It is a single trunk species that is often grown as a "multiple" with several plants in the same pot.  It does NOT sucker.  Along the coast it takes full sun or part day sun.  Far inland, filtered light is needed.   Cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F.  Mature height in sun is usually about thirty feet in 30 years.  We’re putting very nice one gallon plants on special -these are all multiples.  We’re sold out of one gallon singles.  If you prefer a single, we do have them in 5 gallon size.  Both sizes can be mail ordered.

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON SINGLES $70
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE SINGLES $60

CHRISTMAS DAY - PALM & TROPICAL PLANT EXCURSION

TRITHRINAX ACANTHICOMA
AKA TRITHRINAX BRASILIENSWIS


SPINY TRUNK - MEDIUM SIZE FAN PALM
EASILY TOLERATES INTO THE TEENS F.
TEN DAY SPECIAL ON 15G 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. Also, when fruiting the fruit is a golden yellow color.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON $235
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON $200

Remember:  The 15 gallon on sale are shown in the first five pictures below.  The fifth photo shows a close up of the trunk of an older garden plant.