Cool

Just think of all the fun stuff you'll be able to grow!

Jim-

I might just try a cactus bed, just not here in MN as I don't have any more suitable full-sun spots. Certain cactus, agave, yucca, etc do well in Florida 10b's sandy soil in spite of all the rain. I'm thinking that will be one of my landscaping projects down there when we finally get a property we can actually close on. It seems that these short sales can be difficult to get done though. We are now trying on our 4th property. I think this one might work out though. It has some decent base landscaping. Two 20' coconut palms in the front yard along with a nice 30+' robusta, several 10' Christmas palms in triples, and a big travelers palm. In back by the dock near the water there is a 25' royal, and a grapefruit tree on the side of the house. Plenty of room to add more stuff!

Good for you, I hope it all goes well. 😀

Well it appears the seed pods may be ready soon. The little branches of the flower stalk that hold the seed pods have dried out and it seems that the pods themselves are now drying out. The main flower stalk is still green though.

Should I wait to for the pods/fruits to fall off and/or completely dry out and harden? Or should they be picked now? I expected them to get bigger than they are, but they are still about the size they were in my recent posts above with the pictures. This is all new territory for me as I have never had a yucca produce fruit. Suggestions and advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys.

UPDATE: I got three fruits to fully mature. I just opened up one of them today and 90% of the seeds within were black (not white/yellowish). I understand that only the black seeds are viable. Two fruits remain on the plant and I will harvest them soon. If the other two are anything like the first one, I will have 100+ black seeds. I plan to grow some of them but I will have PLENTY of extras available for anyone on Palms North who wants them (no cost).

TimMAz6 has first dibs on how many he wants due to his generousity in supplying the pollen though.

Anyone here who will grow and appreciate them is welcome to seeds as well. Just let me know and I can mail them out!

I plan to use this guy's method to grow some of the seeds: http://www.bennyskaktus.dk/Y_grow_UK.htm#seeds That is unless anyone here has any better suggestions... I'm pretty new to yucca cultivation myself.

I did get a good 100+ seeds from the 3 ripe pods. I will never use them all so don't hesitate to ler me know if anyone here wants some! And to those who sent me messages- I'll be mailing out seeds this week.

Great job with the hybrid. The pollen was from my Yucca filamentosa x elata 'big mama'. So you created Y. thompsoniana x 'filamentosa x elata big mama'. A GREAT hybrid since all the genes are relatively hardy.

I grow Yucca seeds by filling up containers full of a well draining mix (not too much organic material). Place seed on top of soil. Cover seed with sand (sand depth like 1/8" deep) just enough to cover seeds so you don't see them. They will sprout in 2 to 3 weeks typically. The east coast species tend to take a week or two longer. They love and need lots of sun. They don't like being in containers too long and will slow down if growth dramatically. Get them in the ground asap and protect them against critters. Yuccas grow very fast in the ground when in full sun and have plenty of water (not soaking wet).

Tim-

Thanks for verifying the cross. This is going to be a cool yucca! Too bad yuccas take so damn long to get big though...

UPDATE- New addition just arrived today (Monday 11/7/11). The source of the original yucca in this thread actually has some more so I had to get another! I bought the original directly from his site but it seems he is selling on Ebay now. This one is a bit smaller than the original was when I got it, but I think it was still a great deal. I might get a couple more... $79.95. It is a little under 4 feet tall overall and the trunk measures 2 feet. It will go in the ground next spring.

<img src= >

<img src= >

<img src= >

<img src= >

Nice

Mike and I were talking about/checking those out the other day.

Nice cluster **** of root nubs at the bottom too!

Bad time of the year to buy another one, but I though it might be now or never since these seem to be pretty scarce. I hope you get one Jim, it would look awesome in your cactus bed!

OMG, that's a fabulous buy!
and at that price too!

I paid $200+ a couple of yrs ago for one with NO trunk.
And promptly killed it the first winter outdoors.

Looks like roots are packed in a hardened clay...good idea for shipping.

The pool patio will look soooooooo tropical...

Barb

I seen that on ebay and thought that was a good price. If I had the money I would by some j-trees from them also. 😀

Bad time of the year to buy another one, but I though it might be now or never since these seem to be pretty scarce. I hope you get one Jim, it would look awesome in your cactus bed!

I would love too,if I can find the money/justification....

I have no room in my cactus bed,this would need to be planted elsewhere and
with it needing very little protection...this would be the only way I could swing it!

Nice find. I wish we could get them shipped up here. I would buy several.

John

I think this is a good time to buy one,it has all winter to root
which will make it all the stronger next year!

BTW

The Yucca seeds you sent me are sprouting already!