cactusjordi, Wow! Exactly how tall are the Aloe dichotomas--I'm having trouble with the scale. I have some VERY young seedlings (planted 16 days ago--just a seed leaf about 1 inch tall). Where do you live in California? How long does it take to reach the 3-4 leaf stage when you planted them in the ground? I bought the seeds from J.L. Hudson for $2.00, the pack had about 50 seeds. I highly recommend that company. No minimum order, shipping for small orders is $1.50. The first signs of germination were after only 4 days. Six of the first 10 germinated. Coincidentally, I just planted 10 more earlier tonight. These are from a winter rain area, so fall is the time to plant (according to Silverhill Seeds). Here is a link that might be useful: J.L. Hudson, Seedsman

You should take a look at this link to John Lonsdale's website. It's a photo album of cactus he grows in SE Pa some out in the open, others under some polycarbonate sheets to keep the winter wet off of them. If you look around the website there are agaves and yuccas too. Good luck! I'm always between keeping and composting my cacti, they're cool but I really don't have a spot for them, and when the weeds get in there i always get all spined up trying to get them out. Here is a link that might be useful: Hardy cactus in Pa

Hi zone denial. The plant in the background is Cordyline australis, as will as some large Trachycarpus, and a very, very tall Yucca aloifolia in the background to the left, with a weeping flower stalk. I am starting to think that yucca may be Yucca filifera, but who knows. Anyway, glad you liked the pics. I always trim each point individualy as they emerge from the center of the Agaves, or Yucca's like Aloifolia for example. Take care. -Brian

Most palm seeds form in spring and summer, but aren't mature until late fall or early winter. Windmill seeds look like big clusters of blueberries and stay on the tight through the winter. Sabal seeds are small blackish berries and also are ripe as winter approaches. They are often stripped bare by birds and animals, or blow off in the wind. So it's best to collect them a bit earlier. Needle palms don't seed as well as other palms. It may be part of the reason their range is more limited even though they are the most cold hardy palm. I've never seen the seeds, but the fruit reportedly smells like rancid butter. Whatever that smells like.