BajaNomad

who has a favorite palm tree?

pacificobob - 11-1-2006 at 10:16 AM

ill be doing some landscapeing on my place in pescadero soon. i would like to hear about palms that any of you have planted, and what sort of results you have had. what size trees did you transplant, varities, irrigation issues. disease issues.... i know there is a wealth of hortacultural knowledge here in the board. thanks in advance for sharing your expertiese.

BajaWarrior - 11-1-2006 at 10:18 AM

I like the Mexican Fan Palm. They are hearty and give better shade when grown.

Summanus - 11-1-2006 at 10:25 AM

We have date palms...you can have as many as you want. We are tired of the clean-up.:rolleyes:

I am not too sure of the proper species names, but they sure grow fast!

We also have a couple fan palms for good shading. Bueno suerte with your palms.

A search on this forum should produce a couple of posts about Baja palms, also...I remember some from a while back.

Bruce R Leech - 11-1-2006 at 10:28 AM

I like the king and Queen palms the best. here in Mulege we have a double headed fan palm that is real rare try to get one of those. it acutely has to tops and one trunk.

Taco de Baja - 11-1-2006 at 10:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I like the king and Queen palms the best. here in Mulege we have a double headed fan palm that is real rare try to get one of those. it acutely has to tops and one trunk.


I want to see a pic of that!

The only two headed palm I have see in person was a coconut palm on the grounds of the sugar museum on Maui.

Mexitron - 11-1-2006 at 10:49 AM

Blue Palms--Brahea armata--are my favorite. Native to Baja--tolerant of extreme heat and cold(if you look closely going over La Rumerosa you'll see them growing at the top of Sierra Juarez there--I think its at leat 4,000 feet elev). They are unsurpassed, IMHO, when in bloom with flower stalks arching down, sometimes to the ground.

akbear - 11-1-2006 at 11:10 AM

I planted a Bismark in the planter in front of my place in Buena Vista. Take a look at Jungle Cactus web site. John will help you out with anything you need to know. It's behine Soriana's in San Jose.

http://www.junglecactuscabo.com

akbear - Charlie

Not good at climbing

Dave - 11-1-2006 at 11:54 AM

Date palm. Do they have a dwarf variety? :biggrin:

Bajalero - 11-1-2006 at 12:01 PM

second the bismarkia nobilis.

get ready to pay though

Be careful if you decide on one , they're very touchy to having their roots disturbed which grow at a incredible rate when they're young.

lero

[Edited on 11-1-2006 by Bajalero]

Summanus - 11-1-2006 at 12:09 PM

Or..there is a 'palm date' being advertised in North Beach. :rolleyes:

Jack Swords - 11-1-2006 at 12:41 PM

The blue palm (Brahea armata) can be seen as you pass them in Catavina. Also the Palma colorado (Brahea brandegeei) is a beautiful palm growing just above Pescadero. Seeds germinate readily on both these types. My favorite is the tall, smooth trunked Royal Palm (Roystonea elata) that you can see in front of some homes near the malecon in La Paz. Of course, there is also the coconut palm. Check out some nurseries in La Paz. You might also look at some of the very tropical species that should do well in Pescadero.

FARASHA - 11-1-2006 at 01:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Summanus
A search on this forum should produce a couple of posts about Baja palms, also...I remember some from a while back.


Think it was this one recently [url=http://http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=19092#pid167426]

Cincodemayo - 11-1-2006 at 01:27 PM

Bismarkia nobilis silver form are to die for....http://www.acostafarms.com/products/cg-ls25.htm

Cincodemayo - 11-1-2006 at 01:32 PM

Here's another good source for pics and info especially for blues..
http://www.palmvalleyfarms.com/highres/index.php

Here is a site that is chock full of information of almost any type of palm and the hardiness factors...
http://tct.netfirms.com/tropics/coldhard.html#CRDB

[Edited on 11-1-2006 by Cincodemayo]

thanks!

pacificobob - 11-1-2006 at 01:44 PM

excellent and knowledgeable replies!!

If you want exotic

Taco de Baja - 11-1-2006 at 01:48 PM

You cant lose with ths one....but they probably would not grow here otherwise they would be lots here. One of the few palms that naturally branch. They prefer it tropical and hot.




Hyphaene thebaica
Egyptian Doum Palm

The legendary Doum palm from North-east Africa was well known to the ancient Egyptians who buried large numbers of the fruits in the tombs of their pharaos. It is perhaps the most easily recognized of all palms as it is one of the few that fork or branch. The large seeds germinate easily and readily, and should be planted in deep containers since they produce long 'sinkers' before any top growth is visible. A large tree is a stunning sight, suitable for warm temperate to tropical climates and extremely drought tolerant. We are able to offer these seeds from a true, non hybridized wild source at a very competitive price. Only a few seeds available. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Link








[Edited on 11-1-2006 by Taco de Baja]

Cincodemayo - 11-1-2006 at 03:19 PM

You'd most likely be dead before you enjoyed the multibranching!

vgabndo - 11-1-2006 at 04:20 PM

I've posted this before, but it is still my favorite palma datil.
San Nicolas. No stories of this resulting from the hand of man. Curious.

palma loca.JPG - 46kB

Summanus - 11-1-2006 at 04:24 PM

We have 32 of those date palms in our yard..and lots of bees when they are flowering!

Bruce R Leech - 11-1-2006 at 04:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Date palm. Do they have a dwarf variety? :biggrin:


just get a small one and don't water it much.

I will give you one next time you are coming through

Dancing Palms

motoged - 11-1-2006 at 06:05 PM

Nomads,
No one has recommended Bruce L's "Dancing Palms"....is that because they are Hawaiin ....or does Bruce have a rare breed???;);)

Ged

Cincodemayo - 11-1-2006 at 06:44 PM

There are so many different "date" palms...they belong to the genus Phoenix...
The dwarf date palm is Phoenix robellini which I've seen have multiple heads. There is a beautiful one in San Diego at the Catamaran Hotel. The owner is a palm lover and the grounds are spectacular.
The true date palm is Phoenix dactylifera and the Egyptians have been cultivating it for over 2500 years.
Phoenix canariensis is from the Canary Islands and is the largest of the date palms.
Sooo many awesome palms to grow.
Not to mention the cycad family of which the sego palm is the most common. Cycas revoluta from Japan. Many beautiful specimens in Palm Springs and throughout San Diego.
Huntington Gardens in San Marino has many that are over 100 years old and priceless.

Palms

sunslim - 11-1-2006 at 07:52 PM

I like the fish tail palm (palma cola de pescado) as it has foliage quite unlike any other palm-sort of like between a palm and a coniferous tree, it is easy to grow from seed, grows quickly, and provides thick cover. One I planted was about 25 feet high after 4 years.
http://www.plantapalm.com/Vpe/photos/Species/caryota_mitis.h...
Quote:
Originally posted by pacificobob
ill be doing some landscapeing on my place in pescadero soon. i would like to hear about palms that any of you have planted, and what sort of results you have had. what size trees did you transplant, varities, irrigation issues. disease issues.... i know there is a wealth of hortacultural knowledge here in the board. thanks in advance for sharing your expertiese.