Nuccio's Nursery partially burned down and now inoperable after LA fires

[Glaucus]

Nuccio’s Nurseries' famous camellias survived the Eaton fire. But with no water, what now?

Somehow the Eaton fire spared thousands of camellias and azaleas at 90-year-old Nuccio's Nurseries. Now they desperately need water to stay alive.

www.latimes.com

Background story is that this is a 90 year old nursery, one of the few speciality azalea and camellia nurseries in the world. Both owners are brothers in their 70s, and with no family members willing to take over the business, they decided to retire and sell their property.
Apparently, they own a large piece of land around the nursery. They almost finalized a sale with a local school, who wanted to build a sport center on the site. But the deal fell through.
The plan was to keep operating until the end of 2025, then close down, and meanwhile try to find a new buyer for the property.

Last week, the LA fires destroyed almost the entire community around Nuccio's Nursery.


It is unclear if they will be able to save the 200 000 plants on the property. Many people in the community have offered to help, but considering the overal devastation, it is just very hard.

Sadly, Tom Nuccio was also in the hospital before the fire happened. And while in the hospital, his house burned down.
Jim Nuccio's house is said to have been spared by the fire.
There is a gofundme for Tom Nuccio here:
The link is here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-tom-nuccios-new-start-after-the-eaton-fire

There is also a fundraiser by a person who normally runs a cancer charity, and who the Nuccio's donated plants to in the past.

Donate to Aid Nuccio's Nurseries Recovery After Devastating Fire, organized by Kathy Liu

Dear friends, My name is Kathy Liu and I'm from San Diego. I'm reach… Kathy Liu needs your support for Aid Nuccio's Nurseries Recovery After Devastating Fire

www.gofundme.com

Note, it is unclear if it will even be possible to 'recover' the nursery or the plants with the money donated, and it seems both Jim and Tom don't want to ask for money.

Here are some links of Nuccio's Nursery in better times:

In the past, LA and California have made huge efforts to rebuild communities severely affected by forest fires. But it is hard, slow and costly.

 

[Glaucus]

Sorry for having to post such a sad story on an early January weekend.
It seems both the gofundme's currently are not accepting any more donations. But I thought it would be good to share the links.

 

[JudyB]

So sad. I know many of us have gotten amazing and rare plants from these folks, and such genuinely nice individuals they are. @Carol 83 I know you have.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Right now it appears what they need more than anything else is water. I went to check the fund-raisers, and I will wait until Tom or Jim get involved to discuss what might be needed for the future. At this point they have raised $50,000... I think without any involvement from the nursery owners.

 

[Carol 83]

So sad. I know many of us have gotten amazing and rare plants from these folks, and such genuinely nice individuals they are. @Carol 83 I know you have.

I have. Super nice guys, very old school. They don't take CC's and send you a bill for the shipping after you already have the plants. They sent me a free plant when I mentioned the blooms weren't as described. I protested but he said he wanted me to see what they were supposed to look like.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Oh No! I just was talking to Jim a couple months ago when he shipped out a dozen more Satsuki up here for a class. Jim and Tom shipped more than 60 here over the years. Both Nuccio brothers were sad to leave the business, but pretty happy to have found a seller. None of the kids wanted to take over the business anyways.

Will try to call this next week and see if I can get ahold of them.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Ruddigger]

Going there in person is pretty funny. They love the “bonsai guys” because they take all the bad trees that wont sell to the public.

 

[Carol 83]

Going there in person is pretty funny. They love the “bonsai guys” because they take all the bad trees that wont sell to the public.

One of them made the comment to me that "you bonsai people are a strange bunch".

 

[mandrews93]

Oh No! I just was talking to Jim a couple months ago when he shipped out a dozen more Satsuki up here for a class. Jim and Tom shipped more than 60 here over the years. Both Nuccio brothers were sad to leave the business, but pretty happy to have found a seller. None of the kids wanted to take over the business anyways.

Will try to call this next week and see if I can get ahold of them.

Cheers
DSD sends

Did you ever hear from them? I'll be in the area in April and was thinking of stopping by.

 

[Glaucus]

They reopened. But I believe calling before visiting is best and they may have lost all plants younger than 3 years and/or most azaleas. But the 3 year old camellia's generally survived. Not first hand info, though.
They will still close at the end of the year, as planned, so better visit now. I believe the camellia flowering season is already over. But for azaleas, that one is just starting.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Just called Jim Nuccio to get folks the latest updates. Jim said things are doing well, better than they should be. Tom is recovering from a pre fire medical issue, At about 90% and putting on weight. A-lot of damage to infrastructure, including Tom’s home. This means no mail orders and likely not until closing this fall.

By and large much of the inventory carried over for this year was ok. Lots of folks pitched in to help out. After all Nuccios has been a beloved member of the community for many, many years.

Jim went on to say many folks are in buying as it is their last year per @Glaucus . All the publicity from the fire generated huge interest.

So the upshot is plants are going steadily, so April sounds like a good time to get down there… or done if you can swing it.

Best
DSD sends

 

[Carol 83]

Just called Jim Nuccio to get folks the latest updates. Jim said things are doing well, better than they should be. Tom is recovering from a pre fire medical issue, At about 90% and putting on weight. A-lot of damage to infrastructure, including Tom’s home. This means no mail orders and likely not until closing this fall.

By and large much of the inventory carried over for this year was ok. Lots of folks pitched in to help out. After all Nuccios has been a beloved member of the community for many, many years.

Jim went on to say many folks are in buying as it is their last year per @Glaucus . All the publicity from the fire generated huge interest.

So the upshot is plants are going steadily, so April sounds like a good time to get down there… or done if you can swing it.

Best
DSD sends

I hate to hear they are closing but glad they are both OK. Super nice guys.

 

[Glaucus]

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I just purchased 18 x Nuccio's camellias (5 gallon). Going to be here tomorrow. These are for landscape vs. bonsai.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I just purchased 18 x Nuccio's camellias (5 gallon). Going to be here tomorrow. These are for landscape vs. bonsai.

Great!

Are they shipping now?

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Carol 83]

I just purchased 18 x Nuccio's camellias (5 gallon). Going to be here tomorrow. These are for landscape vs. bonsai.

I love Camellias, I wish they could survive my winters. I'm glad they're able to still do business, great guys.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Great!

Are they shipping now?

Cheers
DSD sends

Sorry - I just saw this note. We bought them custom order from a wholesaler who was able to get them. I don't know if they got them in recently, or already had them in stock.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Update

Nuccios shipped a very large number of Satsuki >900 to the new Bonsai Northwest store in Puyallup, WA a couple weeks ago. Many are small due to the fire situation. Visited a couple times in the past weeks.

As of this date, they do not do mail order.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[greekbecky]

Hi, Is there any update on Nuccio's? I'd like to fly out and pick up some plants. I've bought from them before and just found out they were affected by the fire. The whole thing is so sad...they are so sweet and kind. I wonder if they're even picking up the phone as their website is down. If anyone knows the situation, please share, because I don't want to fly out to a closed store...
Thank you.

 

[greekbecky]

Going there in person is pretty funny. They love the “bonsai guys” because they take all the bad trees that wont sell to the public.

He said something similar to me...he may be right, lol.