PalmsNorth.com

Posted: **Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:56 pm**

Hi all! Haven't posted in while. Can't believe summers almost over.

Posted: **Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:59 pm**

Those are some big palms

Very nice!

Posted: **Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:23 am**

Looking good! How many leaves do those Queens grow during the summer?

Posted: **Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:40 am**

Thanks!
Two or three usually. I usually get one over the winter in the house.
Unfortunatly I break a couple of them getting them in and out of the house on the taller 17ft one cause it a real challenge to move and my ceilings are only 11.5 foot. They have to over winter on a 45 deg. angle.

Mark

Posted: **Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:23 am**

Definitely a labor of love

Posted: **Sun Sep 06, 2009 5:04 pm**

Now that`s what I like to see! Those are some huge Queen palms. Everything looks healthy and it shows the pride and care it takes to keep them looking like they do. Nice pool and pond in your pics. Have your neighbors caught the palm bug yet?

John

Posted: **Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:40 pm**

Thanks John.

No. I'm the only crazy in the neighborhood. But they are all amazed.

Mark

Posted: **Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:21 pm**

Wow Mark those are some nice potted queens! I thought I was crazy hulking around 400+ pound palms but I guess I'm not the only one. Are those 45 Gallon pots? Nice job! I want to see pictures of them in the house and pictures moving them into the house! LOL

Bill

Posted: **Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:51 pm**

Mark, absolutely wonderful!

Did you start that Cocos from seed?

Everything looks so healthy, they obviously love the humidity of the adjacent river.
And look at the diameter on those Queens!
You must have a massage therapist in the family to be able to lug those things in and out!

Overwintering on a 45-degree angle

You're definitely a palm nut, you're on the right website!

Barb

Posted: **Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:26 pm**

Bill,

I re-potted them in 75 gallon stock tanks (Farm & Fleet) since I couln't find larger pots. I will post some pics when I get them in. Maybe the video too.

Barb,

Thanks! No I actually found the Coconut palm about 4 feet tall for $60. I love it. It's growing sooo fast! I hope I can over winter it ok since I heard they're hard to keep in the house. Like lots of heat and humidity. I'll do my best.

Queens- Yeah since re-potted its going to be quite a challenge to get them in. I'll need lots of help. Getting out is not quite as bad and I'll have 6 months before that. I only hope I don't have the terrible Spider mite problem I had with them last year. They suffered and nothing seems to kill those F'er's!

And thank you for the compliment!!

Mark

Posted: **Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:31 pm**

Yup, coco palms hate indoorsom personal experience.
I used to have one that I found growing in a ditch in Hawaii during vacation, took it to U of H, spent $$$ on phytosanitary cert, brought it home, and the begger croaked within the year.

Re spider mites, the trick is prevention.
Twice a day misting (on a fine setting) from the top, and a heavier spray from the bottom up will do it, but it's a lot of work.

If only all our bathrooms were 20 feet x 20 feet with 20 foot ceilings, we'd have a place to overwinter everything!

My winter problem is fungus gnats...brutal! Even with yellow sticky tapes, they're bad.
Barb

Posted: **Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:01 pm**

I had the fungas knat problem 2 years ago. OMG.

Enough to drive you nuts.

I finally got control with 'Gnatrol' drenching and spraying the guys on the soil with rubbing alcohol. I was dilligent about looking for them in the pots but it paid off.

Misting the big Queens it tuff. Got to get up on the ladder and all. I will do it this year. Last year by them time I noticed them it was out of control and the year before I didn't have any. Only a mealybug issue. (resolved)

Mark

Posted: **Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:25 pm**

Yup, husband got really ticked off when gnats were sitting on his coffee cup...
I told him it couldn't be because of the plants

Thanks, I've written down Gnatrol.

I had to take most of my palms out of the LR (wood floor) because of mist drips.
Everything goes into the foyer (tiles)...I can mist to my heart's content, and spray can drip.

As you said, by the time you see them, there's an infestation.

The most important thing is to shoot water in the UP direction.
As soon as plants go indoors in the fall.

Barb

Posted: **Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:45 am**

Mark,
75 gallon pots, Oh Yeah!!! I see how that could be tough on the back. Spiders are a major pain in the ass! check out this link I think these predator mites will do the trick for you this year. http://www.logees.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DS-MIC2

I here you guys on the gnats they drive me nuts to. They are always flying into your face and drinks, I'll try that product this year too.

Bill

Posted: **Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:05 pm**

Hello mark nice to see a fellow illinoian just as palm crazy as I am. Very nice pics.

Posted: **Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:58 pm**

Bill,

Are these predator mites something I can use in the house?

Thats the only time have I an issue with them. Seem Kind of scary to bring more bugs in. I could see if the issue was in the yard.

Mike,

Thanks! Many were from your recommended nursery Jamaican Gardens. Hows your palms? Getting ready to protect soon? Love seeing you proctection methods.

Mark

Posted: **Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:18 am**

Good question Mark I see where your coming from. I'll give them a call if I get a minute later today and let you know. I'm going to say yes because they tend to deal with tropical house plants but I'll get to the bottom of this.

Bill

Posted: **Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:57 am**

Bill,

Thanks! I just gave them a call and their horticulturist is going to call me. Sound as if they can be used in the house. I just have some concerns since I have house bunnies.

Mark

PalmsNorth.com

Palm pics from around the house

Palm pics from around the house

palms