I have not grown them from seed, but I do know that it takes a long time after the flower is dead for the seeds to show up. I have propagated from cuttings which is real easy. All I do is cut right under a leaf, take off the leaves, just leaving a few at the top, stick it in soil in a pot and keep watered for a while. Originally I keep it in the shade, but when I can pull on the stalk and it doesn't easily move, then I start adding sun to its routine. I plant them once they have been in full sun for a while.

It's been over 6 months since our last deep freeze, so I thought it was about time to give an up-date. All of the Olive Trees showed signs of freeze damage. Many of the leaves and smaller branches turned brown and eventually died. I would estimate that about 1/3 of the outer foliage had some sort of damage. I waited until May before removing any of the burnt looking foliage whatsoever. It's now the middle of August and the trees look green and healthy. The Oleanders and Changsha Orange didn't make it. However, I am happy to report, after turning all brown and looking quite dead, the Climbing Figs made a 100% recovery. In fact, they look better than they have in years (probably due to all the new growth). Looking around the neighborhood, it appears that most gardens suffered similar damage as mine. One can still see some dead limbs and leaf burn which hasn't yet been removed. A few homes lost some marginal hardy plants/trees like Eucalyptus and Sago Palms. But overall, it's now hard to tell that we ever experienced such cold weather. I am now back in Ireland, completing the end of a two-year assignment. If our Olive Trees make it through this winter, I plan to attach photos so everyone can see.

David, these three and other palms go into a detached, two car, loft garage from December 1 to March 1. Definitely, NOT a palm for indoors, too dangerous. I had to saw off the tap root on these as they have a tendency to find cracks in the blacktop and grow into the ground over the course of the growing season. Remember, these guys grow in very arid regions so roots have a tendency to go deep seeking out underground water/aquifers (so deep pots are preferred). Big misconception is that date species from arid regions don't like much water, NOT TRUE. And some date species come out of tropical regions with monsoonal rains. Phoenix is a nice genus of palms but most are not for the house, with the exception of the Pygmy Dates (Phoenix roebellini).

I'm trying to find the perfect brown shade to coordinate with my grasscloth focal wall in my foyer. Every brown I try seems to bring out the wrong undertones in the grasscloth. I finally found BM Valley Forge Brown which seems to work, but I don't know if it's the most attractive color on the walls. I've searched the gallery and forums here and looked under Google images, but can't find any pictures. Since it is offered in the BM sample pots (which I've already purchased and tried), I'm assuming it must be a relatively popular color. Has anyone used it? Any pictures or feedback? Thanks, Sarah