Thanks Bill - what do you think about the palm without the hut, being wrapped like that right to the ground at the trunk with plastic over it? The snow is melting fast and it's mild but I don't want to unwrap it in fear of rain getting on the trunk...then I wrap it before another freeze....won't that cause problems with possible rot?
I wish hubby would get that second hut up! eesh!

Heidi

Heidi,
spouses are great. I couldn't do this without W!

Bill certainly knows a lot about palm huts, so I'm looking forward to his input.

My $0.02 (but only worth $0.01) is to keep the hut. It keeps rain and wind off. If it was down here, I would add water containers. This doesn't cost anything--just fill old soda and milk jugs. They warm up by day and release warmth at night. Probably more important down here than up there, but I know Bill does that too at his latitude.

As for the wrap, I too worry about rot. My guess (and that is all it is) is that you'll be safe for a few weeks. I think my problem with trunk wraps is that I leave it on too long. But again, I'm a novice and make a lot of rookie mistakes.

--Erik

Thanks Erik - forgive me for not being clear, but I when I said " without the hut" , I meant the palm that still doesn't have a hut built for it. 😳

I always welcome your $0.02, we're all learning together, even us rookies 😉 I'll have to see what Bill says about the 'hutless' palm.

I HAVE thought about the jug thing too. Still lots to think about!

Heidi

Heidi,

Are you handy... could you build a hut? Lumber and screws and it's done. Maybe take the bull by the horns and not wait for the hubby to do it, lol. I would get the wrap off the trachy ASAP as you do not want the bud rotting, it would then be lights out to the palm for good.

Tim

Thank you Tim - if you hadn't told me that, I definitely would have been in trouble with trunk rot. I didn't realize how tightly layerd it was until I unwrapped it just a minute ago. I'm glad it's breathing! 😯

I'm not handy enough to put another hut together. I think it will be okay, at least I have only the one to baby intead of the two! I've got the fronds tied up for any last minute plastic cover to keep the rain out.

Heidi

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner Heidi. I think Tim gave you good advice about getting the plastic off of it, moisture would build up in there for sure and drip into the crown = Bad 😆 Chances are your temps won't be all that bad in the near future so I personally would just cover it when it rains until your husband can bang you together a new hut.

Tell him not to worry because in a few years you guys won't need to do anything at all to them.

Bill

Erik,

No pictures yet man, Sorry! My girlfriend left my camera at work all last week 😯 I planned on posting some on Thanksgiving. Not really much to see hut wise yet anyways because none of them are up yet 😆 Just a couple of frost cloths and blankets on the washies, I'm toughening everything up. Two nights in a row with low 20's and maybe 8 hours or more below freezing.

I did a 2:30 am scan this morning since I couldn't sleep and was wondering what they looked like at 23f. Antifreeze in the fronds was working for sure.

Bill

Bill,
Antifreeze in the fronds? Do you mean the K thing? Or the natural antifreeze?
As for photos, your iPhone works. Anyway, we are all looking forward to your photos/videos when you get the chance. --Erik

Iphone got wet on Thanksgiving morning and is dead as a doornail!!! I haven't gotten around to getting another one yet, not sure if a 4 is worth the money that's why I haven't replaced it, 3gs is all I need most likely.

Trust me I'll have loads of time to post pictures when all this stuff is done 😉

Bill

Thanks for the reply Bill! All is well so far and will update on any changes in weather, etc.

Will be nice to see your pics when you post....antifreeze in the fronds hey?? sounds interesting!

Heidi

Looking forward to seeing them Bill! How's the back??

Hey guys,

I didn't mean anything special about antifreeze in the palms, I was just referring to the color they change when it's cold out. We had a really good frost going with are low 20's last night. All the fronds had frost all over them and they had that cold palm color in the fronds, that's all I meant 😀 They looked super happy again when the sun came out, tough buggers 😆

As soon as the huts are up I'll take some pictures, as of now nothing is cover except the washies and sago with just a frost cloths and a few sheets and blankets. Palm house covering should be here Friday or Saturday so I can finish them up. I just order the covers today 😯

Back is fine Scott, only took a day or so after hulking the 600 pound trachies around to feel better 🙄

Bill