Hello from Valencia

Andy Pearson · Post by **Andy Pearson** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:50 am

Hi, I have just joined and hope to give an occassional view from over here in Europe. I grow cold hardy palms for export to the UK and am currently experimenting with various Parajubaea, Syagrus, Sabals's and different Brahea's as possible introductions to other parts of Northern Europe. I will try to contribute as and when I have something useful to say.

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:35 pm

Welcome aboard! Chime in whenever you'd like ... maybe some photos from your area would be nice?

Cheers, Barrie.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:39 pm

I second Barrie's comments, Andy. Welcome!
We'd love to see some pics when you have time.
Barb

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:14 pm

I third what was said.

Post some pics.

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:33 am

I fourth what was said. welcome. and you don't necessarily have to say something useful, just stay involved and we all learn.

Andy Pearson · Post by **Andy Pearson** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:38 am

Thankyou for the welcome.

Sometimes running a nursery feels like a 24 hour a day profession but when I get a moment I will try and send across some pictures.

Two successes for us in recent years have been the inappropriately named Syagrus' litoralis' or Silver Queen which we have found to be considerably hardier than the standard roman. The plants first came into Europe from Santa Caterina some seven years ago and not the coastal area that the name suggests and have already shown signs of a stockier trunk and a more dense canopy and in the UK at least they have endured three hard winters with temperatures around 25f.

More recently we have taken on Saygrus yungasensis which originates at higher elevations in Bolivia which shows some promise despite being a smaller species. We are hoping that longer term this will compete with Parajubaea in terms of cold tolerance.

Finally we grow several species of Livsitona including nitida, decipiens, fulva and saribus all of which show some longer term promise as well. I'll keep in touch.