Solstice, were they taken with film or digital? They are beautiful. Coffeemom, you made me laugh! I just finished my last roll of Advantix film and I swore that was the end of that camera, even though I loved it. It's time to get a digital, but I want at least 6 mp and 10x optical zoom for a good price. Does anyone know if you really need 6 or more mps in a digital camera? My first camera was a Canon AE1 program, which I still use. I bought it in 1983 and the first pick I took with it was my son taking his first step. I love that camera. I took a quick course at the local vo-tech school on photography, but I could never figure out the f stops and aperture stuff, so I always left it on auto mode and I have albums full of great pics. I got the Advantix one Christmas since I was always complaining about lugging the Canon around. It took great pics and I loved the Advantix film. You could take the pics in 4x6, 4x7 or panoramic. I still don't know if I want a digital SLR or not. I hate to spend a lot of money on something, just to find out that it's in a year or two. Julie

US Marine, I was bitten by the allure of palms last August. Well, actually, I think maybe I've always been a closet palm-freak all these years but was put off by the same-old-same-old palms offered by most in my area. Then I met a fella named Joe, and he lit a fire, and then met another fella named Bernie and he fanned the flame. I'm new to a lot of what's available out there and have been taking crash-courses, and generally trying to surround myself in unique (for me, lol) palms. It was about five or six years ago that I took to mail ordering; but the truth is, doing it that way always kinda scared me. Then a couple of months ago...I got the courage to actually place an order from California because I couldn't find a Ravenea Hildebrandtii anywhere nearer to me. I ordered one thru jdanderson.com which they sent me a precious gem. I don't work for them, nor do I have anything to do with them other than being a customer who ordered one palm from the opposite coast. But since they are in California and you are in California----that's why I am passing along the info to you. Have a look there, they have nice and very interesting offerings with bits of info...and seems to be fair prices. I don't know whether they are any better or worse than JungleMusic. Now that I think about it, you probably already know about them and didn't need to know my life story! lol. And maybe you already know about the Ravenea Hildebrandtii? I dunno if you are looking for small-ish palms but another small-ish one is the Syagrus schizophylla. Both are small-ish enough to containerize and keep on a patio for a very long time. If that'll work for you, that'd be terrific. Well, I've got other palms that I'd like to write to you about--- just can't remember how to make clickable links (I used to post under the nic Sooth but can't remember how to access it)---the ones I tried to add for info purpose just now were blocked. It's been so long since I've written a post here. I've been working on enhancing my micro-climate and I think that's what you are trying to do, too, right? Well, I'm hoping you'll share palms and micro-climate enhancings info with me. :o) And I'll try and figure out that whole clickable links thingy.

It's common to paint/stain palm tree trunks in Florida!!! Here is a paint suggested by my local garden shop in Palm Beach County and sold by Benjamin Moore: Brand: Sikkens Wood Finishes, Cetol 23 Plus, Translucent Satin Wood Top Coat. I have two large Sylvester Palm Trees which, over the years, have developed discolored trunks due to multiple pruning events. Therefore, I selected the Teak color. It has a medium tint, but it is not so dark it will channel sunlight to the trunk and hurt it. I will take before/after pictures. My landscaper suggested I paint the trees. I did not see anything on the internet on this topic, so that is why I decided to post. Here is a link that might be useful: Sikkens This post was edited by cc179 on Tue, Sep 17, 13 at 17:54

Very few palms are tolerant of water-logged conditions (though there are a few..., Cat palms and Majesty among them), but Trachys, like most palms need excellent drainage. Also, keep in mind, Trachys do NOT grow best in very hot weather, being temperate to subtropical zone palms, they grow better when highs are under 90 (unlike Sabals that are real heat lovers), so this may be another reason you are not seeing decent growth, and if there are structures near it (your house, garage, etc...), those temperaures you hear being officially quoted my be much COOLER than what your palm is actually experiencing (reflected heat). Finally, have you been feeding (palms are relatively high feeders). P.S., If you want to expand your palm collection, I strongly suggest you consider Sabals, many are heat and cold tolerate to Zone 7. Sabal minors are among the most cold tolerant of palms. I also like Sabal 'Louisianna' as it is faster growing (but a bit less hardy then S. minor). Sabal bermudana (Bermuda Sabal) is probably my favorite Sabal but probably only hardy to Zone 8.