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plants ??? |
tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2677
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
|  Posted: 2010-02-23 9:17 pm Permalink
OK, so, plants are a huge part of the tiki bar aesthetic...
I have an outdoor space, and want to get some tropicals going....leafy plams....something to create a real tropical feel and add a little privacy.
A few things...
1. They need to be potted
2. My area doesn't get full sunlight all day
3. Climate : Socal, coastal...close to the baech, so it doesn't get too hot here, and we get some air moisture from the ocean, tho I'm about 1/2 mile away.
What do you green thumbs recommend ? I'm a notorious plant killer, so I'd like to get it right this time.
Here's my home space....
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=35623&forum=20&10
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8312
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2010-02-23 9:40 pm Permalink
I know what kind of plants that you could have,
and they could make you some extra money when business is slow.
 
Jeff(btd)
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tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2677
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2010-02-23 9:47 pm Permalink
tobacco ?
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8312
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2010-02-23 9:48 pm Permalink
Wacky Tabacky.
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Jungle Trader
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 04, 2003
Posts: 3692
From: Trader's Jungle Outpost, Turlock, Ca.
| Posted: 2010-02-23 10:34 pm Permalink
Banana trees, giant bird of paradise, elephant ear (taro), Phoenix roebellini(careful has some mean darts), Kentia palm
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Monkeyman
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 2301
From: Vista, CA
| Posted: 2010-02-24 08:51 am Permalink
Im sure I will get flak for this but there are some really nice looking fake plants being made these days.
You cant kill em.... and sometimes you can use them as fill with real plants.
A little pledge on a rag and those fake bird of paradise and palms shine right up....
Your guests cant easily break them or damage them (accidentally of course).
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Haole'akamai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Posts: 2269
From: The Polynesian Port of NOLA
| Posted: 2010-02-24 09:54 am Permalink
I'll back ya, MM.
If your area really will not get much actual sunlight on the plant, a quality floral stem added to live foliage is pretty much the only way you'll achieve a pop of color. The "no direct sun" becomes and asset, since it won't fade-out the faux flora.
If you decide on Banana, I just pulled a keiki off our Blue Java (which gave us wonderful & tasty little bananas this year!).
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arriano
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1136
From: Birdland - San Diego
| Posted: 2010-02-24 11:07 am Permalink
Bamboo, of course. But you'll need a big pot for some varieties. There are so many different varieties you'd best check with a nursery for the type that will work for you.
Palms obviously do well in So Cal, I'm constantly pulling out little Mexican fan palms that sprout up both in the back and front yards because of many neighbors who have towering ones at their homes.
Someone already mentioned birds of paradise -- we have both these (regular and giant) and jade plant in our front yard. They take almost no water and grow like weeds. Both African, I believe, but certainly can help provide a tropical look. I think giant birds of paradise look a lot like banana palms, and are not as sensitive to cold weather.
Ginger also grows well. Just buy a root at the grocery store and plant it.
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Tiki Joe's Pop
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 01, 2006
Posts: 514
From: Seattle
| Posted: 2010-02-24 1:18 pm Permalink
Hey Jim-
Considering the specs that you mentioned, I would surely second that banana plant recommendation. My vote would be for the ornamental/non-fruit bearing variety, seeing the sun restrictions you have. They might fare better than the alternate choice.
A few small windmilll palms wouldn't put you back too much and they're fairly hard to kill. The same goes for some root starts that you'd find at a "Hawaiian" themed store - some taro root, plumeria- stuff that you could easily pot, starting indoors and gradually bring outside.
Best of Luck~!
-Andy
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gonzo
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Feb 06, 2003
Posts: 77 | Posted: 2010-02-24 1:39 pm Permalink
I know a thng or two about palms.
Kentia palm (Howea Forsterina) is a hands down favorite. Kentia palm will give you the minicoconut palm look. Kentias are tough. Kentia palm will flourish in the shade in a pot. If exposed to full sun would do better in the ground. Dont overwater especially in the winter. Overwatering palm tree is probably more common than under watering. They rot and turn yellow.
Kentias will do well near the coast in the ground full sun. Inland they will need shade.
I dont understand why there arent more of these grown in Califonia.
Miracle grow or the little time delay fertilizers (osmocote or dynamite) per the instructions. Palms are light feeders so dont overdo it.
Coconut palms predictably die at 45 degrees. Home depot used to sell coconuts. They may still do. If you can keep it warm in the winter go for it. Besides Home depot has the dead plant turn in program. Just go get another free.
google junglemusic.com for about 200 hundred other palms that grow here. Cycads are cool too btw.
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gonzo
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Feb 06, 2003
Posts: 77 | Posted: 2010-02-24 1:50 pm Permalink
Most plants from the nursery are native to places that get more rain in summer and less in the winter. Almost all plants would do better here if you could keep them from overwatering from the cold winter rains we have here. Some rain gutters or a sheet of corrugated fiberglass overhead maybe a good idea in the winter to keep the cold rain from overwatering. Its the cold and wet combo that kills a lot of plants here in pots.
When you pot palms use "cactus mix" from the store with plenty of broken shards or pea gravel in the bottom to promote good drainage.
Pindo Palm (Butia capitata) is another good tough palm as is Guadalupe (Brahea edulis). Both of these are tougher than the kentia but the Brahea might grow a little too wide for your walkway. The Butia would fit well.
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RevBambooBen
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 12, 2002
Posts: 7217
From: Huntikington Beach
| Posted: 2010-02-24 9:00 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2010-02-24 08:51, Monkeyman wrote:
Im sure I will get flak for this but there are some really nice looking fake plants being made these days.
You cant kill em.... and sometimes you can use them as fill with real plants.
A little pledge on a rag and those fake bird of paradise and palms shine right up....
Your guests cant easily break them or damage them (accidentally of course).
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Tery,
for your sitch..
Monkey has it.
maybe a few potted frens hangin here and thre too..
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Jetson
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 17, 2009
Posts: 219
From: PALM SPRINGSVILLE
| Posted: 2010-02-24 11:39 pm Permalink
Banana trees are great, but you can only keep them potted for so long before they shoot up and out. Maybe some hibiscus and some small palms that can survive in a pot?
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Haole'akamai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Posts: 2269
From: The Polynesian Port of NOLA
| Posted: 2010-02-25 08:50 am Permalink
Taro is great. I have some runners of a Black Taro. I gave a whole bunch to Forbidden Island for their back patio area. They've lived in pots w/ no hassels and done well.
Here's a pic of the Mama Plants
[ This Message was edited by: Haole'akamai 2010-02-25 08:56 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Haole'akamai 2010-02-28 09:14 ]
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tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2677
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2010-02-25 4:36 pm Permalink
Those taro look great...how long does it take for the runners to grow to a decent size ?
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