When to plant the palms?
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When to plant the palms?
Hello:) I have 6 palms (Trachy, 2 sabal minors, Butia, two Washingtonia robusta, and temperatures are supposed to be in the 60s-70s all week, with lows down to 33F or so. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and plant these palms, or wait a month or so? Any ideas? Thanks!
If it were me I'd plant them all except the robusta because I assume you're not going to getting a highly dangerous cold front that will get to the killing range for those. I'd probably wait another 3-4 weeks for the robusta.
One question what if the weather turns nasty? do you have a plan what to in case they are planted? If you do great but if not a couple weeks never hurt anything.
One question what if the weather turns nasty? do you have a plan what to in case they are planted? If you do great but if not a couple weeks never hurt anything.
- TerdalFarm
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- Seedling
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KSpalmguy, good for you to have purchased hardy tropicals, and I like your enthusiasm, because I see you on other forums asking the same. To answer your own question, what do you think you should do based on your observations? Go with your educated gut.
If it was me, in your zone, I would wait 30 painful days. This is insurance and patience combined. This is not a traditional winter, and you spent good money on these. Your reward to yourself will be grand if you wait.
Cheers...
If it was me, in your zone, I would wait 30 painful days. This is insurance and patience combined. This is not a traditional winter, and you spent good money on these. Your reward to yourself will be grand if you wait.
Cheers...
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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We all blame Igor, that usually works fine.Oops..sorry;) We can both blame the Arctic Circle
kspalms: you've got more patience than I do.
I'd plant them...planted my brahea and euro palm early last March
Have plastic or cardboard covers nearby that you can just form an A-frame around them, duct-taped shut.
It would only take 10 min for 6 plants to throw stuff around them...I've done it.
Oh, and don't go out at night...
Hope you're selecting a good sunny position for all of 'em.
Except in the case of my Trachy, which is on East side of the house, out of strong p.m. sun and brutal windstorms (which always shredded it previously).
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
I was thinking about planting them now because they're not doing so hot inside the house...however, our last frost date average is April 11...I'm planning on planting the Trachy at the back (east side) of the house, where it'll only get morning sun. Washys will go on front (west) side of the house, where they will get sun all afternoon. Butia will probably go in the south yard, out in the open, where it will make a good specimen palm, assuming it grows old here:) Still not sure what I'm gonna do with the Sabals, might just plant them along the south side of the house where they'll get winter sun, and just let them go and do their own thing...
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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Those temps are way too low.would a freeze (-10 to -7C) kill a Butia
It'd kill any plant that just came out of the house/garage.
In that case, I recommend waiting a month.
IMO you've picked out good spots for your palms.
The Trachy will appreciate the East side if your place gets a lot of wind.
Unless the wind is from the east
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
Yeah, I'm gonna wait then. I'd rather have marginally healthy palms indoors for another month than dead palms in a week:P Most of the time, wind is out of the north here, and we have a large tree row north of our house. Unfortunately, living out in the country (about 30 miles from Wichita), the wind is much stronger at our place than forecast...Luckily though, most of our area is heavily forested which tends to block the wind.
Also, while we're on the topic of planting, does anyone have any good instructions on planting my palms? I've read and heard soooo many different things...I've heard to plant at surrounding soil level, and I've heard to plant above. I've heard to amend the soil with sand and I've heard not to...there's so many different variables...also, I'm not 100% sure what my soil type is. There's some clay, but I really don't know how much. Lol seems like there's too many different variables to know how to plant the palms the best way possible, but does anyone know of a nice, clear answer? Thanks:)
Plant at soil level and apply mulch. Make the hole the exact size of the pot, do not amend anything.kspalmguy wrote:Also, while we're on the topic of planting, does anyone have any good instructions on planting my palms? I've read and heard soooo many different things...I've heard to plant at surrounding soil level, and I've heard to plant above. I've heard to amend the soil with sand and I've heard not to...there's so many different variables...also, I'm not 100% sure what my soil type is. There's some clay, but I really don't know how much. Lol seems like there's too many different variables to know how to plant the palms the best way possible, but does anyone know of a nice, clear answer? Thanks:)
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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Mulch for summer shouldn't touch the trunk, leave a space of an inch or so around the trunk.
As to circumference, I'd make it twice the "dripline" of the plant.
For winter, mulch can be liberally applied, again, don't suffocate the trunk, keep an inch away.
If you've got ANY clay you'll have drainage issues, so you'll have to water sparingly.
So choose a site where water drains freely AWAY (not TOWARD it).
I've never liked adding sand.
Stays too wet for too long.
Some palms like a swamp, most don't.
Barb
As to circumference, I'd make it twice the "dripline" of the plant.
For winter, mulch can be liberally applied, again, don't suffocate the trunk, keep an inch away.
If you've got ANY clay you'll have drainage issues, so you'll have to water sparingly.
So choose a site where water drains freely AWAY (not TOWARD it).
I've never liked adding sand.
Stays too wet for too long.
Some palms like a swamp, most don't.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
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Depends on your roof overhang as fronds are really long and very stiff with age.would 2 meters or so be far enough away from the house?
Yeah, 2 meters should be fine.
My two are 5 feet from house, a bit close.
But I lost a top bud to fungus last winter on one, so it's got a permanent lean of 20-or so degrees.
Fortunately, away from the house.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
Up to my nose if I don't cut off the fungus frondsHow tall is yours?
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If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
When the air temp is comfortable for you and the palm.
The soil will be cold, so it'll get a shock.
But your 48F daytime temps are better than perfect.
Plan on even wrapping it with a big piece of cardboard for a nite or two, depending on temps.
Barb
The soil will be cold, so it'll get a shock.
But your 48F daytime temps are better than perfect.
Plan on even wrapping it with a big piece of cardboard for a nite or two, depending on temps.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
I wouldn't use lights for heat inside the cardboard.
Cardboard is incredibly good at holding out wind and keeping temps mild, if its well taped.
You want to have the palm exposed to temps a little cooler than where it's been for 5 months, but not 10 or 15 degrees lower (that wouldn't be good).
Check your nightime lows forecast.
During a sunny day, if temps are 48F or over, give it some water every few days when the ground has warmed up a bit from the sun.
Once the heat hits, pour the water on.
We all learn something from all posts.
Some things work, some don't.
It's the ideas that count.
Hope you have great planting weather.
Look forward to seeing the results.
Barb
Cardboard is incredibly good at holding out wind and keeping temps mild, if its well taped.
You want to have the palm exposed to temps a little cooler than where it's been for 5 months, but not 10 or 15 degrees lower (that wouldn't be good).
Check your nightime lows forecast.
During a sunny day, if temps are 48F or over, give it some water every few days when the ground has warmed up a bit from the sun.
Once the heat hits, pour the water on.
Never too many Qs!Sorry about all these questions by the way, I'm just trying to learn all I can. Lol
We all learn something from all posts.
Some things work, some don't.
It's the ideas that count.
Hope you have great planting weather.
Look forward to seeing the results.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
one thing about mulch:
I wouldn't apply it at all this time of year when planting a palm.
Most people pull it back to allow ground to warm up.
Great for holding moisture and keeping roots cool in summer though.
Barb
I wouldn't apply it at all this time of year when planting a palm.
Most people pull it back to allow ground to warm up.
Great for holding moisture and keeping roots cool in summer though.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
Well this bums me out like no other:( Found the perfect place to plant my Trachy...this little flower bed in my backyard that my brother and I built spring of 2012...Anyway, we planted a Wisteria there that my mom is in love with...I dug up a small area in this flower bed, and just under the weed cloth under the mulch, wisteria roots are EVERYWHERE...is there any way I can still plant the Trachy here without killing it or the wisteria? Also, does the soil look too "clayish"? Lol Thanks!
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
Looks like clay to me.
Have no idea what the wisteria's roots would do to a planted Trachy there.
But wisteria's top growth--at about 15 to 20 feet a year, needing a tall stout arbor--would soon enclose the entire area in shade.
Hope others chime in here.
Barb
Have no idea what the wisteria's roots would do to a planted Trachy there.
But wisteria's top growth--at about 15 to 20 feet a year, needing a tall stout arbor--would soon enclose the entire area in shade.
Hope others chime in here.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
I did the old mason jar soil test, turns out my soil is about 10% sand and 40-50% clay...so it might be ok...if it matters, there's only one or two places in my yard that turn swampy...and they're nowhere near where I wanna plant the palm...thing is, the wisteria has grown like crazy, so I can't really imagine the soil is too bad...
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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I'd make an entirely new bed for the Trachy away from the wisteria bed.
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
- TerdalFarm
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