This Hobby is Killing Me

[JackLord]

Finished constructing protection for 2 Meds and 2 Washies. It encompassed:

-Purchasing mulch, carrying it to the back yard, and spreading it.

-Driving around the neighborhood to "steal" bags of leaves from the neighbors (hopefully nobody saw me ).

-Wrapping palms in burlap (PITA ).

-Banging long stakes into the ground.

-Attaching plastic mesh to the stakes to form cages.

-Dumping stolen leaves into the cages.

-Attaching tarps to the top of the cages.

-Add 2 trips to hardware store to procure additional supplies due to inevitable miscalculations .

I was exhausted and I still have two more Washies to shield. Thankfully, the Butia will get a commercial shelter and the Sabals and Needles only get a thick layer of mulch.

Every November I pledge to cease this madness. And every year the palms get bigger and harder to protect. After next year, I am turning them loose to face Winter. Or move to San Diego.

[/list]

[hardyjim]

Unfortunately I have a short memory and start planting to much
in spring again

[TerdalFarm]

Jack, fun thread!
I think we all empathize with the challenges of this hobby.
Yesterday, W tried to help by dumping a tractor bucket load of uneaten hay by my needle palms for me to use as mulch. I literally yelled at her (sorry, wives!) as it went on top of a Euonymous, Nandina and Ilex she didn't know I had.
I only got out of the dog house by reminding her I feed her horses when she is gone.
Have I mentioned lately that her hobby is driving an 1892 carriage with her 3-year old stallion at horse shows far and wide?
Makes our hobby seem really easy and cheap!

--Erik

[lucky1]

Plus you forgot to take photos?

Better exercise (and cheaper...oops maybe not) than a gym membership.
Your palms will keep you healthy.

Barb

[JackLord]

Plus you forgot to take photos?

Better exercise (and cheaper...oops maybe not) than a gym membership.
Your palms will keep you healthy.

Barb

LOL! I also planted a Japanese style garden in the front for Mrs Lord. More excercise I could not get...

Can't figure out how to post photos.

[lucky1]

Japanese style garden

Wow...and your exercise will continue as you twice daily rake the sand, maintaining concentric circles

Sending a PM re photo posting.

[TerdalFarm]

Funny!
Jack, do ask Barb about photo posting here. She is the one who helped me (almost) figure it out.
I'd love to see that Japanese garden. --Erik

[JackLord]

Funny!
Jack, do ask Barb about photo posting here. She is the one who helped me (almost) figure it out.
I'd love to see that Japanese garden. --Erik

She was kind enough to offer me very detailed instructions. However, I can't deal with opening some kind of photo account right now. If someone can tell me how to post a pic from my own computer, that would be great.

As for the Japanese Garden, I think you would be a bit disappointed. Its only a section of the front yard against the house. There were three overgrown azaleas and two yews whose time had come. I read a bunch of books and think I got the minimal Japanese look with the rocks and plants. But its a far cry from what you see in Portland or Japan for that matter. Still, it was a good excuse to plant a Camellia and I may throw my Yuzu out there in the spring.

[sidpook]

Love stealing bags of leaves form the neighbors...thank god I'm not the only freak...LOL

[sidpook]

Love stealing bags of leaves form the neighbors...thank god I'm not the only freak...LOL

[hardyjim]

Funny!
Jack, do ask Barb about photo posting here. She is the one who helped me (almost) figure it out.
I'd love to see that Japanese garden. --Erik

I can't deal with opening some kind of photo account right now. If someone can tell me how to post a pic from my own computer, that would be great.




Jack

It's probably just as easy from an account,I like photobucket because you can post large pics.
Sure it's easier than posting here and you can store hundreds of pics!

[lucky1]

how to post a pic from my own computer

"You cannot post the photo directly from your hard drive to the message board."
From here: http://www.meezer.org/posting.html

EDIT:
and as soon as somebody say's you CAN'T, there's somebody that says you CAN:
http://www.apartofme.com/adobe%20docume ... r%20pc.pdf
My early New Year's resolution is to refuse to learn anything new on the computer.

Barb

[JackLord]

Funny!
Jack, do ask Barb about photo posting here. She is the one who helped me (almost) figure it out.
I'd love to see that Japanese garden. --Erik

I can't deal with opening some kind of photo account right now. If someone can tell me how to post a pic from my own computer, that would be great.




Jack

It's probably just as easy from an account,I like photobucket because you can post large pics.
Sure it's easier than posting here and you can store hundreds of pics!

I am a Luddite. Like those guys in the Omega Man who used catapults against Heston's arsenal.

[JackLord]

Done!

Covered two more Trachys with leaf cages and tarps. Set up the FlowerHouse and ThermoCube up for the Butia. Also put in 3 jugs of water with blue/green food coloring (thanks Terdalfarm).

This is the third winter for one Trachy since moving it from my parents. It gets turned loose next year.

I am the victim of my own success. Two of my trees have grown so much, I had to go out and get taller stakes so as to mount the tarps.

Bring on Winter...

[TerdalFarm]

That should do the trick.
--Erik

[lucky1]

Hi Charles, wish we could see your work.

You just need to find an 8 year old (computer/camera/posting savvy).
An 8 year old showed me how

You'll need a taller ladder for next year
Barb

[canadianplant]

I stole 6 bags of leaves ffrom the neighbors trash on trash day.........

[lucky1]

The last time I did that, leaves contained loads of dog poop.

[JackLord]

Hi Charles, wish we could see your work.

You just need to find an 8 year old (computer/camera/posting savvy).
An 8 year old showed me how

You'll need a taller ladder for next year
Barb

At this point the photos would simply be an array of bunker-type structures made of leaves, mesh, and tarp.



And my thermocube seems not to function!

[lucky1]

thermocube seems not to function

Oh oh! using C-9 or C-7 lights? or a heater on thermocube?

Have you tried a different outdoor receptacle?
Outdoor plugs on circuit breaker tripped to off position?
Lights wiring faulty? Try a different string of lights?
Heater not set to "on"?
Or is it just plain too warm at your place

Barb

[JackLord]

thermocube seems not to function

Oh oh! using C-9 or C-7 lights? or a heater on thermocube?

Have you tried a different outdoor receptacle?
Outdoor plugs on circuit breaker tripped to off position?
Lights wiring faulty? Try a different string of lights?
Heater not set to "on"?
Or is it just plain too warm at your place

Barb

Just using a shop light and a 100w incandescent. I turned it on myself so its working. There is only 1 outdoor outlet.

I read that the cube needs one of those outlets with the reset button. My outdoor outlet is not one of those, so I procured an adapter. Maybe it does not like the adapter.

It hit the requisite low before I turned in. However, maybe since the outlet is on a covered but open porch, there is a slight microclime.

[BILL MA]

I wouldn't bother with the adapter as it will only cause you problems. As long as your outlet is off the ground so it doesn't get wet you'll be fine.

I bet your cube is fine too, stick it in the freezer for 5 minutes and then plug it in I bet it will work like a charm Thank You Atlantic Ocean!!!!

Bill

[JackLord]

I wouldn't bother with the adapter as it will only cause you problems. As long as your outlet is off the ground so it doesn't get wet you'll be fine.

I bet your cube is fine too, stick it in the freezer for 5 minutes and then plug it in I bet it will work like a charm Thank You Atlantic Ocean!!!!

Bill

Really? I will give that a try. Of course, now its warm and wet for the next two days.

[BILL MA]

Really about the adapter or the freezer

[TerdalFarm]

I like Bill's idea about using the freezer.
No, they don't need special outlets or anything.
I bought two in case one goes bad--does anyone know the defect rate on thermocubes?

[JackLord]

I like Bill's idea about using the freezer.
No, they don't need special outlets or anything.
I bought two in case one goes bad--does anyone know the defect rate on thermocubes?

I checked the reviews on Amazon and most were positive. But there were a few who said they did not work.

The thing is, the label says it needs a GFCI outlet which my outdoor one is not. That is why I procured a GGCI adapter.

[BILL MA]

They just have it on there for liability reasons. The adapter you bought will be fine, just keep an eye on your hut when it's cold to make sure it doesn't trip. That's how I got into trouble with my washies and trachies losing power for ten days while I was away.

Bill

[hardyjim]

I don't use a GFCI,instead I have my stuff plugged into power strip with a switch built in,
this also allows me to click them on instead of plugging them in to turn
them on-basically give me an on/off switch.

[JackLord]

Thanks Gents. I will conduct further tests when the temp drops again. Now its warm but rainy.

[JackLord]

I ditched the adapter and the Thermocube seemingly works as it should.

[TerdalFarm]

Thanks for the update. Mine seems to be working fine as well. I'll keep the spare I bought on hand in case of problems, although knowing the closest store has them on the shelf is reassuring.

[JackLord]

<Bump>

This is a bit amusing.

My neighbors are moving and thus putting their house on the market. The Mrs, trying to sound diplomatic, inquired about my "Compost Bins." Translated: We need to have a nice view to sell the house, can you move those ugly leaf cages with the tarps?

I decided to refrain from pointing out that my land is just that and I am not violating any code or ordinance (I do like these people). Instead, I pointed out that they are not compost bins, but rather hardy palms wrapped up for the winter. Before she could go on, I mentioned that they will be unwrapped between March 21st and April 1st and that rendered it all moot.

The wrapped palms in question are mostly Trachys, around 5 feet high. Many yards in my neighborhood are "terraced", so my yard is "above" them. They eat and hang out on their porch all spring, summer, and most of fall with a clear view of them. I am left wondering not so much about her potential audacity, but rather how the hell they never noticed them? I mean how can you be facing a bunch of palm trees in Maryalnd and never see them? Then you see the protection cages and think they popped up overnight.

I am tempted to send them photos of some of the more ambitious and larger protection schemes by some of you.

[hardyjim]

My palms are so small people mostly notice the Bananas and later...
the Colocasia-and the Castor plants.

I removed all my protection this weekend...
this s*** is supposed to be cold hardy,if they can't handle
it from here...off with their heads-literally!

[lucky1]

I think your translation was bang on to what the neighbor was implying.
Hell, I would've said having palm trees to look at--when they're not covered--would be the selling feature for their hovel.
Bring her over here!

removed all my protection this weekend...

Jim, that means we're getting spring, and you aren't.

Barb

[canadianplant]

Jim your not getting that large amount of snow in the nect few days are you? Theres a storm comming from minnisota up here...

[DesertZone]

I stole 6 bags of leaves ffrom the neighbors trash on trash day.........

[CTPalm]

Happens all the time . .
Pic taken from inside my house:




Paul

[lucky1]

Sure, why not pick up other peoples' bags of leaves.
Bet he's got the best veggies in his garden come summer.
When I was first starting a garden, I brought people's leaf bags home in the trunk of my car!

People around here put all manner of stuff at the roadside with a "free" sign.
Wooden chairs, old toilet (yup), broken ladder, etc.
POOF...gone.

One man's junk-->treasure.

[hardyjim]

Jim your not getting that large amount of snow in the nect few days are you? Theres a storm comming from minnisota up here...

Looks to be going a few(300) miles north of here,
we are basically in the expected early March pattern.

Day after front low 40s next day upper 40s then 50s
and it starts all over again but slowly but surely warmer
every week-these kind of springs usually make a nice
even transition out of winter-usually the higher our temps go
the more they come down....so even though spring is slow-
it's steady.


Agonizing if you live further north as the winter seems endless!

[canadianplant]

The temps are quite nice right now. Like you say its quite typical right now. The deathly cold is done for the year. If it wasnt for the foot of snow we got yesterday, the bamboo would be uncovered. Now I have to wait till the snow melts Weve been generaly spoiled in terms of spring here for the last 10 or so years. Its been a while since we got a typical spring ( that means snow here untill mid march )

Snow on the ground now................. 3 feet