Proper winter care for Trachy

Funny that they were hard to find there. They are easy to find here, in zone 6b where they do not really do well. I guess it is because we get lumped in with Dallas 😆
If you do road trips to the south anyways, consider buying palms down in Norfolk or NC next time you are down there.

I actually recall one nursery that had no idea whatsoever that you could get palms for a 7A climate.

I will keep your suggestion in mind about Norfolk if these 2 do well. I may end up getting another for other areas of my yard.

I actually recall one nursery that had no idea whatsoever that you could get palms for a 7A climate.

I will keep your suggestion in mind about Norfolk if these 2 do well. I may end up getting another for other areas of my yard.

One upon a time mine were that size. Feed them and baby them and you will have something akin to coastal Carolina soon enough.

Where are you in Maryland? You can get Trachies around here.

TerdalFarm:

Someday....

I'm in Harford County and have literally checked every nursery within a "reasonable" distance of my house. I also include a few stops at Hd and Lowes. I did see online that a Home Depot in Delaware had them but when we called they were out. I guess that's a good sign though as I would love to see these things popping up here and there and just generally being more common in the area.

I'm in Harford County and have literally checked every nursery within a "reasonable" distance of my house. I also include a few stops at Hd and Lowes. I did see online that a Home Depot in Delaware had them but when we called they were out. I guess that's a good sign though as I would love to see these things popping up here and there and just generally being more common in the area.

I see. I am in MoCo, just outside DC.

I had to travel down to Smithfield, VA to grab my first 3 Trachies. A place down there set them aside for me and I made a day of it. Since then, I have discovered that they are-- how should I say?-- sporadically plentiful around here. Maybe they always were and I never notices. Or maybe times have changed.

Were I you, come Spring I would devote a day and come down here.

Hollywood and Vines in Alexandria, VA is nearly a sure bet as they specialize in exotics. I have also seen a few at Bettys Azalea Ranch in Fairfax, VA as well.

Behnkes in Beltsville, MD always has a few lying around. I called once and asked and they had no idea what I was talking about. I drove there and found a 2 footer on sale. So it goes.

You could conceivably hit all three in one day and also stop at any Home Depot on the way as they all have them although its hit or miss.

If not, order from Chilly Palm. They do a Spring delivery
http://www.chillypalmtree.com/

I never really thought about that but now that you mention it, I agree.
Anyway, I couldn't find any in my area and went through TyTy online. I believe they're from Georgia. I went through them b/c I do know someone that ordered direct through them for a Pindo and had no issues at all so they were personally recommended. Of course afterwards, I have seen bad reviews.

Yeah, don't worry. Their new fronds will be stocky. They might look funny for a bit, but in a few years they will look great!

I think all this depends on whether these 2 make it through their first winter. I know with proper care they should be fine but since I'm new at this, i'm a bit more cautious. I think if they make it through ok, I will head south a bit and pick out another for the Southeast side of my house (unfortunately the 2 in the pic are on the Northwest side but that's where the gate is).
Anyway, thanks to all for all the helpful info and encouragement, it's much appreciated.

I think all this depends on whether these 2 make it through their first winter. I know with proper care they should be fine but since I'm new at this, i'm a bit more cautious. I think if they make it through ok, I will head south a bit and pick out another for the Southeast side of my house (unfortunately the 2 in the pic are on the Northwest side but that's where the gate is).
Anyway, thanks to all for all the helpful info and encouragement, it's much appreciated.

If you protect them, they will make it.

Tarkus, great photo.

Leggy is usually from having been grown in shade at nursery.
They'll settle in and fill out, takes a couple of years.
Since they haven't been in the ground very long (and haven't developed many, if any, new roots into the surrounding soil), protecting them is critical the first winter.

Planting in spring gives roots a whole season to develop.

Protect them for the coldest winter your area's ever had...check weather records.

Sounds like a great day trip coming up in Spring...take a truck. 😆 😆

Any issue that anyone knows of if I just wrap my entire PVC "cage" with bubble wrap(aside from the heat tape and christmas lights of course)

The only issue would be cooking the palm, temps on a very mild day in February might create 100F inside there.
I think you've got to weigh the benefits of getting light/heat into the palm with overheating it with too much plastic exposed.
Plus plastic isn't a great insulator when it's 10F...

Barb

I think I'll change my original plan from the straw to basically plastic wrap with heat tape. I"ll just have to make sure they don't get heated too much but I do plan on keeping a very careful eye on them for their first winter. My reasoning is that it isn't too uncommon to get a 60-70d F day in February. if I go with the straw method, I won't have a heat source for the potential nasty cold days and also run the risk of potential root rot as I wouldn't be able to change the straw much.

any idea of what to set the heat setting on? I was thinking maybe the freezing mark but may drop it a bit lower to around 20-25F.

In a 7A, you may need to get rid of humidity build-up inside plastic enclosed winter protection.
Especially if you get frequent winter rain.

A small slit or two near the top of plastic would allow humidity out.

New heat tapes can be SET? 😯
My old one just kicks in as it approaches freezing and stays warm to the touch.

Barb

Well we certainly do get more winter rain than snow, unfortunately. But I was planning on providing some type of opening to give some ventilation.
As far as the heat tape, I really don't know about settings but figure worst case, I can always adjust everything manually. I really don't expect to use it during the daylight hours anyway ulness we're really expecting a nasty cold spell.

planning on providing some type of opening to give some ventilation.

Good idea when you receive a lot of winter rain.

My first winter attempt here. I know this "hut" is on the small side, but I've see other members tie up their windmills, and was also looking for a smaller space to keep warm. 9ft of heat tape surround/under root ball, then piled high with cedar mulch. String of 25C7 Christmas lights taped and zip tied to all 4 corners of the structure, and plugged into a thermocube. I will be wrapping the entire outside with bubble wrap. The top "dome" is removable, and will leave off till the really cold weather hits. I'll have wireless thermometer at crown of plant to keep watch on it. This plant faces the South. When needed I will also wrap the "dome" in bubble wrap and snap down on PVC pipe...but still will come up with something to help with ventilation. I may come up with a PVC water feed pipe to give plant water during the winter time...like once a month??? I've read here when members that have used heat tape have cooked their windmills by not providing water to them over the winter. PVC pipe is driven about 20" in the ground and is very sturdy, although this first winter I will provide some additional stability.

Pics...

I'm not sure if a "palm hut" I've made for my two Trachies is good enough for overwintering but it's done anyway. Neither heat nor light source inside.