Nice work oppalm! Looks like a lot of work also in the Autumn, moving all the container plants. Nice to see green grass too. Around here summer drought turns lawns brown. No one wants to spend money watering lawns especially the size most of them are.
Any plans for more around your deck? Cheers, Barrie.

thanks Barrie. Plans for more plants around the deck .......... all I have are plans. I keep trying to figure out how I can accomidate more palms/tropicals in my yard. I have about 200 palms in containers in my yard, front and back. I try to keep it from looking too crowded and too tacky. I have been collecting plants now for about 3 years. Some of the stuff is starting to get bigger so I am slowing down buying stuff a bit and just this summer have started thinking of a master plan for the backyard (as opposed to just throwing plants wherever I want). Takes a bit more thought, but in the end I think it will be worth it.

I almost immediately thought of a nice grove of Musa basjoo bananas planted in ground near your deck. I believe with good mulching they should make winters in your area and look awesome in summer.

Cheers, Barrie.

oppalm, I'd trade with you in a heartbeat!
Beautiful.
Barb

thank you Barb. If you have a place in the Carribean (sp?) I'll trade you. 😆

Barrie - I am going to start a grove of bananas in the birm behind my pond. It currently has a couple of Wash Robustas and 2 bananas planted in it. I'd like the height there and it is a full sun spot. You are on the right track. Keep up the good work

Hey Oppalm,

The yard is looking great!
What type of bananas are you going to plant, musa basjoo, or something you will have to dig up?

I just started 140 Musa sikkmensis "daj giant" seeds and 20 M.sikkmensis "red flash" seeds
If several sprout you are more than welcome to one. They are supposed to be hardy, but will need to be kept dry over winter, because they seem more prone to rot.

Here are a few banana's grown down the road from you:

This is a second year grove started from 1 plant and left in the ground this past winter.
The main pseudostem rotted over winter, but as you can see a lot of pups lived.

Nice grouping, Ben, they look really healthy.
No distress evident on leaves.
You're doing something right.
Barb

very nice grove you got there Ben. I'll take as many banana plants as you want to give up. I'll trade you something. I bought a sampler set of banana seeds back in Jan 2007 and have 1 seed germinate out of about 50 seeds. I know that banana seed germination is eratic and slow, so we'll see how long I can let this go on. I do have 2 musa basjoo that I dig up and overwinter inside. I have a couple of pups growing this year so I may leave the larger ones in ground and cut the pups off to brings inside. Too early to start planning my winter though. I'll enjoy summer and fall first.

oppalm everything looks so great. Do you over winter anything in the ground or take everything inside? Everthing looks so clean and neat. My yard is about full as well and Im only getting 2 more palms and I think im done. Taking care of the yard is a full time task now. Looks like your at that point also 🙂

Macario - you exposed me, the secret is out, I am anal retentive when it comes to my yard. I spend lots of time in the yard, but it keeps me off the street. I coached my sons baseball team for 10 years and my spring and summers were spent on or near a baseball field and now I enjoy the yard (is that goofy or what) . I bring most everything in for winter. Believe me that will be a process this fall. The bananas and elephant ears I will dig up and overwinter in a dark area of my basement. They don't take up much room, but digging ain't easy. Most of my palm trees end up in a make shift greenhouse in my basement under flourescent lights. The special palm trees get to spend time in our great room and kitchen which face the west with a big bank of windows for sunlight. My wife is growing tired of my hobby but she tolerates the palms inside until she sees the first bug then she screams. I have seen pictures of your collection and am impressed with your efforts. keep up the good work.

Your yard looks great. Nice green grass and the nanas and palms looks awesome.

thanks everybody for the nice comments. It is amazing what a difference 10 days can make. Our temps have been close to 100F or higher for the last 7-8 days and the plants are taking a beating. Its cooling down to 80F at night. My plants, palms and nanners have had enough. Shut off the furnace. My Kansas friends will know what I mean. How's your stuff doing ?

I feel for you and your plants. Here on the West coast it's been pleasantly warm 75 - 82 with nice fresh ocean breezes. Some periodic rain thrown in for good measure and all the plants are responding with great vigor.
Hope the heat breaks for you soon.

Cheers, Barrie.

Hey Oppalm,

The banana pic I posted are at a friends down the street from me. His out grew mine by far this year. I kept mine in pots over the winter, but they are spending this year in the ground. The heat is really trying to do a number on my plants. Hopefully we can get some cloud cover tomorrow to give them a break.