Ideal Temps for Pods?

[Angela]

Ernest, feel free to look us up when you visit the Big Island.  It would be fun to give a little tour.  There are lots of private mind-blowing gardens on the Hilo side. 
I've only been to Kauai once and didn't go to the arboretum... I'll have to check it out if there is a next time.  I've only been on the Big Island for four years and I still don't know the names of all the different areas...  a local will say "I live in..  blah blah blah"  (Insert Hawaiian name of your choice) and I will have no idea where it is.
One thing about living on the side of a volcano at an elev. of 2,200 ft. is that I have not been able to grow one of my favorite flowers of all time... plumeria!!!   You can pick plumeria from the side of the road anytime, but I still want to grow my own. Thank goodness tabernaemontana, gardenia, night blooming jasmine and champaca grow well here!   Ooops sorry.. I think I've gone off topic!
But yes, there are a lot of boring hibiscus grown as hedges here. My boyfriend's Vermillion Queen is what got me googling exotic hibiscus...  and it was this thread on Palm Talk that lead to my discovery of HVH (I posted a link to HVH's website).
http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=30196

[farmer d]

Now this thread is getting really really good.  My wife and I just got back form the Big Island late Oct.  It really is surprisingly one of the best islands and always off the radar for a lot of Hawaii visitors.  Incredible beaches, snorkeling, and beautiful tropical scenery.  One time we spent half a day at Akaka Falls SP just checking out all the incredible plants and foliage - the mosquitos liked that a lot too. 

We found a great plumeria nursery/farm off highway 11 near Honaunau.  Love eating the mangos on the side of the highway that have just fallen off the trees on the way there. 

Manini'Owali is one spectacular beach and if you want a totally quiet private beach check out Maumae just north of Mauna Loa Beach Resort.  We almost stayed in Mauna Lani but found a ridiculous condo deal in Waikoloa for $100/nt.

Can't wait to go back but next time we're heading to Kauai.  Still our favorite island.  The Garden Island lives up to it's name - so green that you can smell it in the air.

Farmer D   

[Ernest]

Angela, thanks for the invitation. We may try to get over there sometime late next year. The arboretum on Kauai is definitely a must see for you if you like palms. I'm surprised to hear that you can't grow plumeria there. I just assumed it would grow anywhere on the island.

Darren, the other thing we like about the beach at the Mauna Kea Hotel is the snorkeling. The snorkeling along the two arms of rocks that enclose the bay is as good as any you can get on most of the excursions and the price is right--you can rent snorkels and fins right there on the beach. Doesn't hurt that there is also a full service bar right on the sand and a large patio area where you can get lunch. You are so right about Kauai. If you haven't already done so take the helicopter tour of the remote sections of the island--truly spectacular.

[Angela]

Uh oh... now it's waay off topic...  I don't want to get in trouble already.. I just joined the forum a little while ago!
I've been on the Big Island for four years and probably only snorkeled 4 or 5 times... that's what happens I guess when you have to work a full time job and have gardening to do!  Yes things may grow a little easier here... but so do the weeds!!!  If you don't keep on top of it, your whole garden will be full of weeds over your head!

[Angela]

Well since I'm so off topic anyway here are links to two more of my passions... anthuriums and tis..
http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=29662&st=0

http://www.palmpedia.net/forum/showthread.php?20-The-Colors-of-Cordylines-(The-Ti-Plant)

The ti thread is long.. if you do go there I'd go to the last page and work backward lol!

Okay I promise... I'm done posting off topic links... I'll behave from now on 

[Angela]

I've had some pods just fall off that were younger than the ones I pollinated... they are still hanging on... I'm so excited!    This is the longest I've had them hold on.