Search found 75 matches

by gpenny
Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:59 am
Forum: Weather & Climate
Topic: Are we heading for a new ice age ?
Replies: 35
Views: 20823

Agreed!
by gpenny
Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:32 am
Forum: Weather & Climate
Topic: Are we heading for a new ice age ?
Replies: 35
Views: 20823

I can assure you that it was highly pushed in university teachings and was more widely accepted that what Wikipedia citings now say! I lived through it!! I have been a weather geek since keeping daily journals as an 8 year old child and I know what was being taught and hyped by many.
by gpenny
Wed Mar 20, 2013 4:47 am
Forum: Weather & Climate
Topic: Are we heading for a new ice age ?
Replies: 35
Views: 20823

Computer models can only use data from the past. In my humble opinion they can not predict (with any degree of confidence) what future changes might be (there are just too many variables involved). Just look what the 30 day European model was calling for 30 days ago (opposite of what is occurring). ...
by gpenny
Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:59 pm
Forum: Weather & Climate
Topic: Are we heading for a new ice age ?
Replies: 35
Views: 20823

Ahh, the coming ice age. Here we go again!! I went to college in the early 70's and that was all we heard from all the experts. Guess what, they were wrong then and probably are now! Just relax and realize that no man really knows.
by gpenny
Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:14 pm
Forum: Fertilizer
Topic: Carl Pool Palm fertilizer?
Replies: 6
Views: 11568

Here in S.C. John Deere Landscape Supply (Formerly Lesco) carries a decent palm fertilizer. Price is pretty good(around 25.00 per 50lb.)
by gpenny
Wed Jan 02, 2013 4:21 am
Forum: Wanted
Topic: Sabals
Replies: 1
Views: 3443

I have some causiarums and bermudanas in half gallon liner pots. I will try to check today and see how large they are (buried in my greenhouse).
by gpenny
Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:31 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal minor (Not Growing?)
Replies: 28
Views: 14681

Here in S.C. they grow naturally in alkaline soils in the low country and more acidic soils in the upstate. The ones in my yard (Central S.C.) grow in about 6.5. I don't amend in any way and mine are very large.
by gpenny
Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:50 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal minor (Not Growing?)
Replies: 28
Views: 14681

Talking about pot-bound palms you may want to read the following article: http://www.raingardens.com/psst/articles/palmpot.htm
It was written a few years ago by several Palm Society high ranking members. I have not gotten up the nerve to try it yet!
by gpenny
Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:37 am
Forum: Wildlife From The Palm Gardens
Topic: OK, now what is THIS????
Replies: 7
Views: 5824

Dragon fly nymph (odonata). Do you have standing water nearby?
by gpenny
Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:27 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal minor (Not Growing?)
Replies: 28
Views: 14681

Not sure, but you may be "loving it to death"! While Sabal minors grow in swamps here in S.C. where they are sometimes in standing water for weeks, they actually grow faster and larger when planted in sandy loam with good drainage. If it is showing decline with plenty of water try slacking...
by gpenny
Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:31 am
Forum: Member websites
Topic: PennysPalms.com
Replies: 1
Views: 4077

PennysPalms.com

Guys, I've had my website for quite a while but never posted here as my plants are local pickup only. However, I have a growing list of palm seeds available and I can ship to Canada (though my website says U.S. only). I really strive for freshness on all my seeds and germinate them myself to stay on...
by gpenny
Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:44 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: Best seed suggestions for first timer.........
Replies: 17
Views: 10789

The quickest germinators are Washingtonias (filifera,robusta,filabusta) and almost any Phoenix sp. The baggie method speeds things up as the bags act as mini-greenhouses. A little bottom heat definitely speeds things up as most of these like temps of at least 75-80F. At those temps the seeds can pop...
by gpenny
Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:04 pm
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: Glad palms can't see outside
Replies: 14
Views: 6522

Barb
Did you grow your bottle and spindle palms from seed? If so, how long did it take them to get that big?
by gpenny
Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:16 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: Trachycarpus fortunei Seeds
Replies: 9
Views: 7624

Bryce Trachycarpus seeds have a thin fruit covering that does apparently have some germination inhibiting qualities. The seeds germinate quicker when this thin coat is removed. That being said, this fruit coat is hard to scrape off! Pre-soaking in water for a few days helps soften the coat. You can ...
by gpenny
Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:06 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachy germination area
Replies: 25
Views: 9455

Your setup should work fine. For catching water under the pots I use the plastic trays from Tractor Supply that go under rabbit cages. They come in several sizes and are fairly cheap. If you don't care about looks I also use the aluminum trays used for cooking turkeys etc. to set pots in. We have ab...
by gpenny
Tue Nov 15, 2011 3:51 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: A few pics of the garden- taken in the last few weeks.
Replies: 45
Views: 16042

Jim
Did you grow your Brahea from seed? If so did you treat them differently from your other palms? I can get them to germinate but have problems getting them through the seedling stage (have tried everything!).
by gpenny
Sun Nov 13, 2011 4:18 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: A few pics of the garden- taken in the last few weeks.
Replies: 45
Views: 16042

Looking great Jim! Washies and Brahea especially. I have really struggled with Braheas here (humidity).
by gpenny
Sat Nov 12, 2011 3:19 pm
Forum: Photo Gallery
Topic: The Most Beautiful palm garden I've seen
Replies: 8
Views: 4845

I was pulling weeds the other day and saw my backyard from a different angle. Thought it was pretty so I took a picture.

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by gpenny
Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:19 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Needle palm pricing
Replies: 5
Views: 2697

Wish you were closer! I just dug up two monsters ,separated them and potted them up. I'd sell the largest for a whole lot less than 100.00 and these things are huge.
by gpenny
Mon Oct 10, 2011 3:46 pm
Forum: Wanted
Topic: Palm Seeds
Replies: 2
Views: 3893

I'll have plenty in November but you may want to get some from a more northerly location. If no one else volunteers just jog my memory in November.
by gpenny
Tue Mar 15, 2011 4:00 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Cameron
How long did you soak the Chilean wine palm seeds before potting in soil? How long were the radicals when you potted them? Thanks!
by gpenny
Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:34 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Thanks much! Still have quite a few left to try.
by gpenny
Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:18 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Sorry to keep bugging you, but were they completely emmersed in water? Do you keep them emmersed even after root growth had started? I used the baggie method after delidding and they just rotted!
by gpenny
Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:03 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Did you keep them in plastic bags until they showed signs of sprouting or in water soak?
by gpenny
Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:11 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Cameron
Are those Mazari seeds ones you recently delidded? If so, how long ago?
Thanks!
Gayland
by gpenny
Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:27 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Cameron
Have you tried a Dremel Tool. They come with an assortment of sanding bits. I use one of the metal ones at low RPM and it works great! I had some concerns about it overheating but I can't detect any heat when sanding. Very quick!!!
by gpenny
Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:35 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Cameron You may want to look at the needle palm seeds again. I had some in a baggie (no de-lidding) and I checked them this morning for signs of germination. One was putting out a root from the rounded smooth side (opposite the grove). I got to looking for the embryos on that side and found the more...
by gpenny
Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:29 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Thanks for sharing the pictures! After my post earlier I messed around with the jubaeas and finally figured out where to sand. Still not sure if I went too deep or not deep enough. Will know by morning! I also studied the nannorrhops seeds and had a lot of difficulty seeing anything suggesting a spo...
by gpenny
Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:16 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: Beginning the germination process!
Replies: 623
Views: 663752

Cameron
Can you post a picture of where you delidded the Jubaea seeds? I've got some you sent me and would like to try. Thanks!
by gpenny
Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:49 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Where are you going to retire?
Replies: 38
Views: 15317

"Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina".... "South" Carolina that is!!!
by gpenny
Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:25 pm
Forum: Germination
Topic: Butia capitata seeds
Replies: 9
Views: 6072

Butias have a reputation for being hard to germinate but I find them very easy! I have thousands of volunteer seedlings in my yard at any given moment and I have yet to actually plant a seed!!. They fall beneath the parents and come up like crazy. They even come up in my lawn where people step on th...
by gpenny
Thu Nov 11, 2010 3:57 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal palmetto having problems
Replies: 32
Views: 11101

Your right about the transplanting part. Sabals are easy to transplant as 1-2 leaf seedlings and as mature (trunked) adults. Anything in between is extremely difficult! The only time I concern myself with watering or fertilizing Sabals is when their in a pot! Once their in the ground I forget about ...
by gpenny
Wed Nov 10, 2010 4:11 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal palmetto having problems
Replies: 32
Views: 11101

Erik It's normal for the lower ("oldest") leaves of Sabals to die back as the palm grows. However, the leaves you are losing are not the oldest so that is not normal. I remember when you got that palm and asked for advice on planting it I cautioned about "loving it to death". I t...
by gpenny
Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:03 am
Forum: Seed Exchange
Topic: Many Seeds for Sale
Replies: 12
Views: 14347

Cameron
I am interested in a couple of items, will e-mail you sometime this weekend.
Gpenny
by gpenny
Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:07 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: New Palms! (all in now)
Replies: 34
Views: 13739

Bill
You don't need to post actual numbers, but in general how were sales this year? I have been impressed by your "energy" to say the least. It is obvious you don't do things half-way!
Gpenny
by gpenny
Sat Oct 16, 2010 4:33 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: New palms! (2nd rate sequel)
Replies: 15
Views: 7104

Free!!! How the heck????
Gpenny
by gpenny
Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:21 pm
Forum: Seed Exchange
Topic: Many Seeds for Sale
Replies: 12
Views: 14347

Did you get my PM?
GPenny
by gpenny
Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:49 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Introduction & Trachy Help
Replies: 32
Views: 12346

Erik
I use Bayleton (systemic fungicide) and Daconil(contact fungicide) or a combo of the two on ornamentals. I have never had to use on palms but see no restrictions on doing so.
by gpenny
Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:45 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Introduction & Trachy Help
Replies: 32
Views: 12346

I may get raked over the coals for this but I am scared of putting copper on plants for treatment. I know many palm growers use it as treatment and it may work ok at the right concentration. I don't use it because as a Fisheries Biologist we used it for years to kill plants! Copper is the primary in...
by gpenny
Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:32 am
Forum: Cycads
Topic: Yellowing sago leaves
Replies: 30
Views: 27392

Erik At this point it probably doesn't matter one way or the other. One expert I read after said when he is trying to establish a new plant from a pup he cuts off all fronds (even green ones). He will also cut the whole bottom off to establish a new rooting base. I tried this on plants this spring a...