I stopped at the Community Garden today to pick some of my Red Russian Kale and Asparagus. One of the other gardeners loves sharing seeds and plants. He was trying to get rid of some of his seeds today...he has a rather large supply. He wanted me to try a couple of his Monkey Puzzle Tree seeds (Araucaria Araucana). They're huge. I took the picture with one of his Portuguese Squash seeds next to them so you could get an idea of the size.
Man, that IS big, Sandy! Monkey Puzzle Tree. Is that the same kind of evergreen type tree we saw when touring around Victoria. One afternoon, Ginny took Ingrid and I for a drive to a couple of the older neighborhoods down around the ocean, and we were so impressed with a tree that Ginny called a Monkey" tree. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of it, but it was the most unusual tree and one I've never seen before anywhere else.
Ooh did you get alot of seeds from him? I think the Monkey Puzzle is cool.
:) Donna
Yep. That was the monkey Puzzle tree. v-e-r-y slow growing.
G
Ohhh, then you are so lucky Sandy. I was so impressed by that tree. So unusual and neat looking.
I just got those 2 seeds. I'm not sure if they'll grow. I read that they have to be fresh and I don't know how old they are. I'll have to ask him the next time I see him.
Definitely a tree to plant for your grandchilden. Or nieces. I love the tree--one of my earliest memories was visiting someone who had one, and watching it for the monkeys! Where or who has been forgotten, but my parents told me I never stopped talking about the tree. Those big tree seeds sometimes take a year to germinate, but you've got your wonderful solarium for that.
I think the trees are really cool. I always thought it would be neat to have one but we really don't have the room. I guess I wouldn't really have to worry about that though, since they are so slow growing. I would just get to enjoy it while it's fairly small. I'm just going to grow them (if I can) for fun. If they both sprout, I'll give one away when it's big enough and keep the other until it's time for it to go in the ground, then I'll decide if I want to keep it.
I hope they are fresh! That tree was so amazing.......crossing fingers and toes for you Sandy.
They are natives of Chile (Hi Ursula). The forests are being lost due to lumbering. There is a movement to try to get the Chile govt. to declare them a plant in need of protection.
Inanda
They are definitely slow growing!!! We bought a seedling tree about 3 inches high, three years ago. We have always kept it in the house in a sunny location, and it has done well. It is about a foot high now with two sets of arms. I see no growth activiity on it this spring yet, but I'm sure it will happen soon. We just decided we would keep it in the house and enjoy it as we have no idea where we would put it outside. They are a wonderful tree. When we lived right in Victoria, whenever we went for a walk, it was always past DH's "favourite" tree!!!
Glenda
This message was edited Apr 22, 2005 11:39 AM
this is the big guy!
Is that yours, Elaine? Very nice specimen.
Yes it is very nice Elaine. There are quite a few growing around here.
E
This message was edited Apr 23, 2005 9:44 AM
Holy Cow.......this one belongs in Victoria! just where would I put one???????????????? besides, I have a great variety of thorns, about me as we speak! E
LOL, oh yes. What was I thinking? :D
It is just the time that the seeds have ripened and are being sold in the supermarkets in 1 Kg nets (they are edible).
If there is enough interest, if you are willing to pay for postage (USD 15 to 20) and there are no problems with Canadian authorities, I could buy a net and send it to one of you in Canada to distribute them. I would say (guesstimate) 1 Kg has some 100 seeds (maybe more).
Let me know if you are interested.
Hugs,
Ursula
I would be interested, thanks Ursula.
OK, Donna. I will buy a net 'piņones' today and (hopefully) mail them to you tomorrow.
Are you sure there are no problems with your customs or other authorities?
I got you address from the Exchange.
Hugs,
Ursula
You know, I am not sure at all, Ursula. We do have trouble getting plants from the US because of border restrictions, but I am not sure about South America. I was going to mention though, that unless some other Canadian Peeps are interested in going in on this, it might not be worthwhile. I was only hoping for a couple seeds.
I am off to work at the nursery for a few hours. I'll talk to you later.
Ursula, if Donna is the only one that wants any of the seeds, I can just try to get her a couple from the man that gave me those two. It probably wouldn't be worth getting a hundred. Unless she wants to eat them of course. LOL
Do you have any more hot pepper seeds by any chance? I know somebody that would love some.
Sandy
Donna, I'm just back from checking two supermarkets that offer this product, but none of them had. I was told they had some piņones two weeks ago, but the season starts in some three weeks. Thus, there is plenty of time to see if there are some more Canadian DGardeners that would share the bounty with you.
Sandy, yes, I still have hot pepper seeds left (about 5 different types). I'm not interested in trading, so please send me a padded mailer that I can re-use, with an USD 1 bill for postage. My address is in the Exchange.
Hugs,
Ursula
OK, thanks Ursula. Anybody else out there interested in sharing some Monkey Puzzle Tree Seeds from Chile?
When we first moved to Victoria from the prairies, when I was 7, the monkey trees scared me a little bit. Not sure why, something about the look of them. I'd never really gotten over it. However - now that I see everyone's enthusiasm for them, I'm looking forward to hearing how all your seeds turn out! :-) I bet they're fun to grow.
That sounds great Ursula. Are you sure you don't want me to send you anything besides the US dollar for postage?
Sandy
I'm sure, Sandy.
Hugs,
Ursula
