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THIS PAGE HAS OLDER POSTS FOR  APRIL, 2025

VARIEGATED RHAPIS EXCELSA
EXOTIC - TEND TO BE SMALL, MINIATURE PALMS

DON'T LIKE TOO MUCH NITROGEN
LIMITED SUPPLIES AVAILABLE - NEVER INEXPENSIVE
TEN DAY SPECIAL ON ANY VARIEGATED RHAPIS WE HAVE

This is another post to remind readers that we still offer a good supply of the highly coveted variegated Rhapis excelsa.  Known as the "Gems of the Orient", these striking plants typically have yellow or white variegation on green leaves.  Most plants at mature size are three to six feet.  There are many exotic varieties - most popular in Japan where affluent collectors compete to obtain the most striking plants.  Propagation is by divisions only.  So, one must mother plants for divisions so you'd have a plant to sell. 

The plant leaflet photos below are an assortment of our Nursery plants.  The variegation consists of very narrow bands of yellow on green.  They are sort of hard to see here.  On any given leaflets there are lots of these narrow, subtle stripes.  Sizes available are 5 & 15 gallon and maybe a few larger.

Contact us if you are interested in getting one.  BTW, these are never inexpensive plants.  And, they are all different.  The variegation seems to be different from leaf to leaf on all varieties.  Prices on our 5g start at about $150 and the 15g at $450 or more.  IMPORTANT: These variegated Rhapis essentially want no fertilizer.  Fertilizer tends to drown out the variegation with nitrogen.  As we have an injector system on all our plants, it’s very difficult to “starve” these plants.  You’ll probably be better at growing them than us as you can easily avoid giving them fertilizer.

A 15 gallon plant is shown in the first six photos with close-ups of the variegation on some leaves.  Following are photographs of plants we still have at the Nursery or have sold from the Nursery.

TEN DAY SPECIAL:  15% OFF REGULAR PRICE ON ANY VARIEGATED RHAPIS THAT'S FOR SALE AND IN STOCK

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

TEN DAY SPECIAL ON ONE GALLON SIZE

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.

Most specimens in many decades get to a height of 25 to 35 feet.  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 here is our very shippable sized one gallon plants which we’re putting on Special.  

REGULAR PRICE ONE GALLON $65
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE ONE GALLON $50

ENCEPHALARTOS DOLOMITICUS
ONE OF THE MOST RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCADS
FIRST TIME AVAILABLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS!
 

BLUE CYCAD WITH SMALL TO MEDIUM MATURE SIZE
TEN DAY SPECIAL JUVENILE 5 GALLON PLANTS
  

This extremely rare and sought after South African cycad is endemic to the the Limpopo Province ( Transvaal district) where it is hot, but can experience freezing temperatures during winter months.  In this locality, the soil has rich deposits of dolomite.  This species is small to medium in sized.  The leaves on this species are approximately one meter in length, though this can vary.  Stems can reach up to two meters in height over the centuries.  This species does produce basal suckers fairly regularly.  The name 'dolomiticus' is derived from the soil in which it grows.  There are few, if any, Encephalartos that have the color of E. dolomiticus.  The color can vary from a powdery white color to a grayish/white to an almost aquamarine blue color.  Paired with the beautiful color of this species is the fact that it tend to hold very full crowns of leaves, which makes the plant even more showy.  The crowns of leaves tend to be upright and compact, which makes it an ideal candidate for smaller to medium sized planting spaces. 

This species is a highly sought after Transvaal species, not only for its extreme rarity, but also its extreme beauty.  This plant is not a fast grower, but will regularly flush and show new growth.  Female cones on this species emerge a bluish green color and later get a yellow color to them.  The male cone are a blue green color.  In coastal and inland areas, this species prefers to be in full sun but can tolerate a little bit of shade.   The soil need to drain well, and be mounded if possible.  They are not very tolerant of excessively wet soil..

For most cycad collectors, this species is in the top three or four "must grow" plants.  As it is very hard to come by, many people search far and wide to get this plant.  We occasionally have this species available for sale.  It is one of the hardest cycads in the world to locate and it was mid-2024 that we last offered them for sale.  Shown below are a handful of juvenile plants in 5 gallon containers.  Caudex is forming with several leaves.  We are putting these plants on Special.  These can be mail ordered.  By the way, this species is one of the most expensive cycads to find on the market.  I've seen seedlings with one leaf sell for what we're offering these plants.  If you want to get some size on these plants before putting into the garden, they're good for at least 3 to 4 years in these pots.

 REGULAR PRICE THESE JUVENILEE 5 GALLON PLANTS $295
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE JUVENILE PLANTS $255

ENCEPHALARTOS EUGENE-MARAISII
EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE & RARE BLUE TRANSVAAL CYCAD

NATIVE TO SOUTH AFRICA – VERY COLLECTABLE SPECIES
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON SIZE WITH 5 INCH CAUDEX

This desirable species of Encephalartos comes from the Transvaal region of the northern Republic of South Africa.  This area is also home to other sought-after species like E. dolomiticus, cupidus and nubimontanus.  Encephalartos eugene-maraisii is a medium to large species with trunk height up to almost ten feet.  It will sucker from the base.  Leaf color is blue or blue-green.  The leaves are sharply keeled giving a "V-shape" in cross section.  Leaf length is two to five feet.  Leaflets are 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide and have a sharp terminal tip.  Encephalartos middleburgensis is a closely related species and was originally felt to be a subspecies of eugene-maraisii.  This is a full sun cycad.  In the wild it commonly sees freezing temperatures.  In culture it is known to tolerate mid to low 20's F.  We are currently putting a very attractive 15 gallon plants on sale that has a caudex of 5 inches.  Age of this plant is estimated to be 10 to 12 years.  This species is always expensive to buy.  This 15 gallon can be mail ordered.  

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON WITH 5 INCH CAUDEX $1750
TEN DAY SPECIAL 15 GALLON WITH CAUDEX 5 INCHES $1450

We can ship cycads only within the United States.

ENCEPHALARTOS MUNCHII
A RARE CENTRAL AFRICAN CYCAD


BLUE – GREEN SPINY LEAFLETS
SUPER DIFFICULT TO FIND
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON WITH 4 INCH CAUDEX

Native to Mozambique, this small to medium sized cycad grows in scrub forest among rocks and boulders.  It is distinguished by its blue to blue-green color and by having leaflets that are prominently spiny.  In my experience, leaf color is sometimes very blue, other times blue-green.  You'll sometimes hear the description as "soapy green" to describe the leaves.  Overall, the leaf color is variable.  Trunk size is usually under three feet.  Upright leaves are about four feet long or less.  Leaves are keeled and leaflets are lanceolate and spiny.  This species likes full sun and is cold tolerant into the low 20's F.  We are putting a 5 gallon sized plants with caudexes of 4 inches.  It will have either blue or blue green leaves. but need age and sun to show any blue color.  This size plant will be easy to mail order. 

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON WITH 4 INCH CAUDEX $660
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON WITH CAUDEX 4 INCHES $560

Remember that we do have larger plants available, even for mail order.

ENCEPHALARTOS TRISPINOSUS
BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

SOUGHT AFTER - SPINY LEAFLETS
LOVES SUN AND PRETTY COLD HARDY
TEN DAY SPECIAL 25 GALLON SIZE WITH 9 INCH CAUDEX AND 5 INCH PUP

Shown below is a specimen plant of the desirable blue South African cycad, Encephalartos trispinosus.  This is a gorgeous plant.  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 but the plant on sale shown here is definitely spiny.  These will want full sun along the coast and is cold hardy to about 22 degrees F.  This 25 gallon garden-ready specimen has a primary caudex of 9 inches with a 5 inch offset.  It’s too big to ship but can be delivered.  It’s ready for the garden.  .

REGULAR PRICE 25 GALLON WITH 9 INCH CAUDEX AND 5 INCH PUP $1850
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SPECIMEN 25 GALLON THIS SIZE $1600

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
RARE BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FOR FULL COASTAL SUN

A FAVORITE AMONG CYCAD ENTHUSIASTS
THIS PLANT HAS STUNNING SET OF BLUE LEAVES
GREAT PRICE - TEN DAY SPECIAL SHIPPABLE 15 GALLON PLANT

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 in a 15 gallon pot with strikingly blue leaves.  Caudex size is 5 inches.  Age from germination is about 8 to 10 years.  Whether or not the photos show it, this plant is super blue colored.  It can be mail ordered.  We do have other sizes of this species for sale. 

REGULAR PRICE THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON $825
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS ACTUAL 15 GALLON CYCAD $690

We have multiple container sizes available for this species – from juvenile up to coning sized specimens. 

EDIBLE BANANA THAT MANY OF YOU CAN GROW!
MUSA GRAN NAIN

VARIETY THAT CHIQUITA UTILIZES FOR MARKET FRUIT
TEN DAY SPECIAL LARGE 15 GALLON PLANTS

This banana cultivar is popular worldwide and is the variety of choice for Chiquita Banana Company.  It is a cultivar of Musa acuminata.  It produces a huge amount of bananas if well grown.  It is common for one plant to produce over 40 pounds of fruit.  The fruit is medium sized, firm and sweet.  Plants get to about 9 feet height, sucker when a fruit stem has finished and require half sun or full sun if possible.  They benefit from large amounts of compost or soil amendments and do require fertilization to make good fruit.  Leaves are typically solid green.  They are a quick growing species.  They do best in frost free areas but can recover from a freeze.  Of note, remove the fruit when it's still a bit green and wait for it to ripen off the tree.  We are offering 15g plants on Special.  They are nicely sized and most are overhead in their pots.  The photo of the fruit is by A-S.

REGULAR PRICE 15 GALLON THIS SIZE $195
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE 15 GALLON $175

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA
LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

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

By popular demand I have put this great palm on special.  This is the largest of the King Palm family.  It got its name "maxima" by the flower size, but most have found it to be an aggressive grower, have a larger trunk and get taller than the other species of King Palms.  It does have silver on the underside of the leaves.  The crown shaft is sort of a yellow, sometimes blue color.  It is a quick growing pinnate palm native to Australia.  It's rare to see them available and also hard to find good photos of this species.  The plants I'm putting on special are the 15 gallon size, mostly singles but some multiples.  It tolerates full coastal sun and is cold hardy into the mid-twenties F.  Another interesting thing is that sometimes they’ll throw a new red leaf as shown in one photo below.

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

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

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MAXIMA
LARGEST OF THE KING PALMS

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

FOR SPECIES DESCRIPTION, SEE ABOVE


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

CHAMAEDOREA GLAUCIFOLIA
SUPER SIMILAR TO C. PLUMOSA

TAKES A FAIR AMOUNT OF SUN – SINGLE STEM, THIN TRUNK
TEN DAY SPECIAL BAND SIZED MULTIPLES

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

REGULAR PRICE BAND SIZED MULTIPLES $60
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE SEEDLINGS $50

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANNII
RARE BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD FOR FULL COASTAL SUN

A FAVORITE AMONG CYCAD ENTHUSIASTS
GOOD STARTER SIZE FOR CYCAD ENTHUSIAST
TEN DAY SPECIAL AFFORDABLE 5 GALLON PLANTS - CAUDEX 2.5 INCHES

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 over a year ago.  It has about five leaves showing the blue color.  Caudex size in 2.5 inches.  Age from germination 5 to 6 years.  Plans this size can remain in their containers for 2 to 3 more 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 $375
TEN DAY SPECIAL THIS SIZE 5 GALLON $275

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


BLUE STACKED LEAFLETS - MINIMAL IF ANY SPINES
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT SIZE WITH CAUDEX 3 INCHES

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 plants on Special should be a nice blue form.  Trunks of this species 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 citrus pot size on sale came from blue parents and will become more blue out of the greenhouse and in full sun.  Caudex size is 3 inches.  This size is easy to mail order.  BTW, this actual plant shown below is definitely not the green form.  You can see the leaves are gray colored and, outdoors in the sun should be blue over time.  The garden photos below show a blue plant,, a green plant and something in between.

REGULAR PRICE CITRUS POT WITH  3 INCH CAUDEX $450
TEN DAY SPECIAL CITRUS POT SIZE 3 INCH CAUDEX $360

Remember to mention this Blog Only Special at the time of purchase to get this price!  Easy to mail order, weather permitting.

DYCKIA SPECIES
RARE COLD HARDY TERRESTRIAL BROMELIAD

SILVER-RED LEAVES
WATER CONSERVING - LOVE HEAT AND SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL SIZE SHOWN BELOW

Dyckia are are rare terrestrial Bromeliad.  I.e., they live in the ground or nestle between rocks.  As a group, they are much more cold tolerant than ordinary Bromeliads.  There are reports of them surviving temperatures into the teens F.  They also love full sun and blazing heat.  The plants on special are old clumps of plants.  Leaf color is silver with a hint of pink or red.  I don't recall the blossom color.  I'd estimate the age of these clumps at more than ten years.  They are in 2 or 3 gallon pots and can be mail ordered.  Only a couple left in stock.

REGULAR PRICE  THESE OLD CLUMPS $125
TEN DAY SPECIAL THESE CLUMPS $95

Mention this Special when you purchase.

THE LEATHER FERN
RUMOHRA ADIANTIFORMIS

GETS ABOUT 2 FEET TALL
TOLERATES COASTAL SUN
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

The leather fern is a very useful sun because it'll take full coastal sun and it doesn't get overly large.  It normally is about 18 inches tall although there are forms which can get over 2 feet tall.  Leaves are green.  They are easy to care for.  Cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F.  Although most ferns like water, this variety can be watered a bit less.  They are very durable and easy to grow.  If planted densely, it becomes a ground cover.

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

ENSETE VENTRICOSUM "MAURELII"
THE RED BANANA

LARGE SINGLE TRUNK TROPICAL PLANT
RED COLOR TO FOLIAGE
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON SIZE

On sale are nice five 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.  We're putting our oversized 5 gallon on Special.  This size can be mail ordered.  I don’t have experience with interior growing but many have bought this size as a “house plant” with no complaints yet.  But, if you do this, give it lots of light.  Garden photo below by Container Crazy CT Website and Linda Cochran.  Of note, our 5 gallon are presently taller and bigger than shown here.

REGULAR PRICE 5 GALLON $95
TEN DAY SPECIAL 5 GALLON $75

CHRISTMAS DAY - PALM & TROPICAL PLANT EXCURSION

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.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX "TERACARPA"
THE BEST KING PALM EVER!


BIGGER, FASTER GROWING, NO BROWNING OF LEAFLETS
TEN DAY SPECIAL HUGE BAND SIZE PLANTS

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

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