Just a picture to show growth this season,
Hopefully I will be able to start a new thread this Spring about how well it did thru the Winter 😀

Here's a Washingtonia robusta I planted this summer. Very few make it beyond a few years here without some sort of protection. I'll have a canopy over it through the winter months.

Cheers, Barrie.

It looks happy where it's at 😆 Hope all goes well this Winter for it.
Besides the shelter do you use any supplemental heat?

(This weekend's project is to build a shelter around mine. Not sure whether I should count on a small space heater or X-mas lights, or maybe both)

~ Steve

Knnn (Steve) ... I don't plan on any supplimental heat, since in most years, it's within temperature range. I could, if push came to shove. I'd rather not.

Cheers, Barrie.

Nice palm 8) I hope it lives many years for you 🙂

Finished up the Winter home for this one,

Our first freeze is usually in the middle of October. Today was sunny and 97F......No complaints tho 😆

Framing,

Back,

Front,

~ Steve

Steve that looks great.I was wondering what you will be using besides the large rocks to warm it during the winter? I would be very interested to see how well everything does.
John

That enclosure is amazing. What are the sides made of? Is it foam insulation?
I hope to plant out some of my robustas next year. My temps are OK for them but it is the rain.
Barrie,
What do you use for a winter cover? Do you have a pic of it. I would be cuious to see it.
How's the plant business going? I was with Dan fishing last weekend and he told me the muni was hassling you. Why don't they go after all home businesses then. What a joke.
Have you got any good sized sabal minors or r. hystix?

Most of this is just recycled materials, Have some great neighbors who have been sending
over old windows, framing and plywood from their remodeling jobs. Stricly low budget, but I
do like posting to show how some of these things can be put back into service 8)

The sides are 7/16 OSB board painted white inside to help with the light levels, ( After
checking it today it should be fine), There is some fiberglass insulation at the ground seal
and in the corners. Seems somewhat air tight when sealed so I am hoping to only have to use
a small electric space heater.

Already planning the un-covering party for next May, ( Going to need at least 6 people to lift
and move this thing
😀

~ Steve

Wes,
I plan on a PVC built structure with a 6 mil UV cover. Open on the sides most times and dropped down during a cold snap. Anything below about -7 Celcius and I'll slide in a portable halogen light. It should emit enough heat to do the job. It's light weight, comes apart in minutes, it's easy to construct, and can be added to as the palm grows taller.

The local municipality isn't giving me grief, it's the RDN (Regional District of Nanaimo). They act only on complaints, so someone decided they'd do there civic duty and report me for investigation. So now I'm on their books and haven't heard much lately from them.
"Good sized" Sabal and R. hystrix are nearly impossible to come by around here. Even if I could bring them in, I'd be tying up a ton of dough and waiting many years for interested parties to purchase them. So long story short, no. Most people don't get beyond Trachycarpus here, maybe the odd Chamaerops or so.

Catch any good fish? Cheers, Barrie.

Dam...that looks nice 8) I have lived in homes worse than that 😆

One small trout. I am more of a salt water salmon fisherman. This trout was the size of the herring I use as bait.
I bought a good sized needle from Broadway nurseries in Ontario.
I think I am going to order some more from them next year. They also had 7 gallon s. minors and I am for sure getting some of those if no one here gets any in.

I've never heard of "Broadway". I maybe interested in a few if you plan on another order in the future. How are they to deal with?

Cheers, Barrie.

They were great. I got my palm when he said I would and the palm was flawless when I got it.
I will let you know when I send in an order next spring, around February.

That would be great. Let me know, cheers ... Barrie.