Dumpster diving score!

11 years ago

Found this Trachycarpus fortunei in a pile of dead/dying plants in the back of my local wally world (walmart). It had about 5 dead fronds and i guess the garden folks there assumed it was dead. Worked out great for me though, a quick pruning and it looks great!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
11 years ago
I have one..that was bird grown!..just appeared in my yard about ten years ago as a seedling. Its been moved,and is just about ready to be trunk shaved. Too bad Eric, so few people know that a tripped trunk Trachy looks so ultratropical. Like a beauty makeover..lol.
theseventhlegend
11 years ago
Nice score!
Related Discussions
1st Dumpster Dive!
Q
Comments (1)
Yahoo, you go girl! All the Best, Tree
...See More
dumpster diving
Q
Comments (5)
I've found that going to the local markets and asking them for their rotten fruits and veggies can provide bushel-full loads after they've (no pun intended) warmed up to you. Same for horse manure from stables and molded/rotted straw from feed stores. --- And to think, several weeks ago I thought I was going to have to wait for new materials to start my next pile. ;-p
...See More
Rules for dumpster diving?
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks for all the responses, everyone. :) Unfortunately, I went there the next day with the intention of knocking on the door to ask if I could have the window(s), and the dumpster was gone! Ugh. I was so mad at myself for not going that day. What I don't get is why wouldn't you sit that kind of stuff out to give away instead of letting it go sit in the landfill! And we even have a used furniture store that will buy things off of you and then resell them in their store. I shop there all the time and get great deals! On the brighter side, I did get a table the other day that someone sat out on the curb. I came home to switch vehicles, jumped in the Excursion, made my son go with me and we got it!! I wasn't missing out a second time. :) Alicia
...See More
Dumpster dive restoration?
Q
Comments (2)
I can't believe it's really a queen, don't think they made Queen sized beds back then. Side rails would likely make it fit your double very nicely. And satin finish! Are you sure the larger pieces are not brass?? Nice bed.
...See More
Bob_in_AZ__Z9
11 years ago
Wow you lucked out big time!!! Good for you!!! Take a pic of it when you plant it.
earthworm73
11 years ago
Seriously good find. My wife is one of those ppl that when she see a couple of brown fronds or leaves she thinks its dead too.

In my state even the garbage still belongs to the owner until it is hauled away. If you toss something in a can it is technically theft for you to take it (I know stupid law huh?). So if I was to see something like that in a dumpster I would have to wait out the garbage truck then follow it and snatch it when the truck gets to the landfill. That's prolly a easy trip to the mental ward lol.
tropicalzone7
11 years ago
That is a great find! Some nursuries by me try selling trachys that dont look half as nice as yours for $70! Obviously I'd never pay that price for a trachy and I dont think anyone else would either.
Usually plants that you get for free dont look healthy and take a lot of work to get looking decent again, your's looks like it's more than ready to take off!
-Alex
ericthehurdler
Original Author
11 years ago
i know dumpster diving can be highly illegal, but it was worth it. lol
to find a palm like this in a pile of garbage was so surprising. But after a little inspection it does have a bit of a scale infestation, nothing that a little TLC cant fix :D
jimhardy
11 years ago
Nice-in my town Wal-Mart is pretty assured of killing them
all the way before they ever throw them out.

When they first opened I pointed out that some of there plants
(they put them all in the sun in the parking lot)needed water
because they were almost beyond saving-a few minutes later
I heard them discussing....do you want to stock those shelves
and then go to lunch? Then when you come back you can water the plants!!!

Glad they didn't feel pressured-all the small plants died and
the big ones were burned up-I did find a nice Fiddle-leaf fig
for like $7 it is over 4' tall now-LOL
miketropic
11 years ago
I am in pretty well with the guy in our walmart garden center..stuff is usually 50% off after he puts it in the system as "dead" which works out great for me. they did throw away like 100 hostas last year. I told them Id give them a nickel each but they had already taken them out of inventory and there dumpsters have a fence around them..REALLY nice find on the Trachy. I just ordered a gallon size one and I doubt it will be half that nice
andyandy
11 years ago
awesome