Washy filifera and Y.rostrata planted out in new bed

(@lucky1)

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Finally...S P R I N G.

I've wanted to do this new bed since last year.
Today was simply too nice to wait any longer.

Messy area, torn up lawn where the septic tank was replaced last year.
Two cedar stumps need to be chainsawed by H.
H will bring in a turf cutter to get rid of the old lawn, re-levelling, then new turf will be laid down.

They're planted permanently, at last.
Power nearby, so will probably do C-9's and some sort of Teepee protection.

Watered the Trachy in the palm hut...drier than popcorn 6 inches down.
Dismantling takes 3 people and carpenter is still away...darn.
Door has been open for 2+ weeks.
<img src=" " width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04593" />

CIDP and Trachies out of the cold building:
<img src=" " width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04588" />

Sunny and beautiful (except during photos) 😆
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/03/2011 7:27 pm

wxman

(@wxman)

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Barb -

Looks great! How have the temperatures been the last few weeks there? Are you worried about any late season cold snaps that could take out the washys? Amazing you have no snow up there and I still have 10 inches!

Posted : 14/03/2011 7:34 pm

Paul Ont

(@paul-ont)

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WHAT? You're planting already! The snow has just left us here in the east. NO way I could plant anything for at least a month... Well, maybe I'll plant some stuff in 2 weeks, but don't tell anyone 😉

I see that the fanatics have pulled you to their side... I was hoping you'd avoid the lure of Washingtonia, alas it was not to be. I'm still not going to plant any of mine 😛

Posted : 14/03/2011 7:44 pm

lucky1

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Tim, thanks.

March 1st was last cold blast at -11.8 C 10.7F.
Nice before that, and since.
Nights occasionally get near or below freezing.

(Now that I've said that, we'll get -20 and a foot of snow!) :clown:

We're on a steep south slope, hotter than the hubs of hell and really windy in summer.
A Trachy wouldn't last a week on that south aspect where I planted the Washies.
Even in winter the area where I planted the Washies + Rostratas is occasionally thawed if it's sunny.

Good point about a late freeze.
I'm keeping the buckets they were planted in nearby in case I have to invert to cover them.

It felt so good to get out there and dig...well maybe if we weren't a rock/shale pit!
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/03/2011 7:48 pm

lucky1

(@lucky1)

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Hey Paul
our postings crossed.

I just HAD to get out there and plant something...anything...and as I tootled around the cold building looking for likely suspects, I could imagine the plants, one by one, going "no, not me...you're gonna get another freeze, so leave me in here".... 😆 😆

Hell, Paul, I was gonna plant my garden last week but the car's trunklid slammed on my hand during a windstorm, so I had to wait a while till it healed.

Re joining the fanatics, ha ha, but this'll be a piece of cake.
Electrical connection, oh, about 6 feet away.
Downspout from roof (if we ever get any friggin' rain) just 10 feet away, I'll rig up some sort of hose attached to the downspout, with "spaghetti hoses" leading to these 6 plants.
Don't you remember that these Washies and Rostratas HAVE BEEN PLANTED, AND REPOTTED TWICE ALREADY? (I'm not yelling, just emphasizing) 😆

Too much work with heavy pots.
Dragging that CIDP out of the cold building even with a floor dolly just about did me in.

Oh, and another reason: It's BC. This time last year the spinach and lettuce was up. Damn. I'm late!

Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/03/2011 7:59 pm

canadianplant

(@canadianplant)

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Im jelous Barb, theres nothing more id like to do right now then get outside.

We still got half of the snow, but its melting really fast. Im hoping in a week well be snowless, and in another week or 2, im hoping to sow some spinach.

They look great!!

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 14/03/2011 8:50 pm

TerdalFarm

(@terdalfarm)

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Barb,
looks great. Rocky soil and a steep slope should be good for Washy. The W. filifera down in Texas proved their hardiness last month, and of course seeing Jim's W. robusta makes Washy look easy! 😆
I have two W. filifera about that size but I'm planning on growing them in pots for years. They came in for the winter and I am so glad they did.
😳
--Erik

Posted : 14/03/2011 11:14 pm

lucky1

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Everybody will be out in the gardens soon enough, with more work than we want 😆

They came in for the winter and I am so glad they did

I understand that perfectly.

My CIDP will live indoors during winter forever (the poor thing).

Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 14/03/2011 11:59 pm

DesertZone

(@desertzone)

Posts: 4411

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Very nice Barb. I think your rostratas will do good. 8)

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniWeather06_both/language/www/US/ID/Gooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
Here's to all the global warming pushers, may your winters be -30 below and four feet of snow in your driveway. Because I want you happy.
-Aaron-

Posted : 15/03/2011 12:26 am

TerdalFarm

(@terdalfarm)

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One more thing--the Trachy hut.
We took down the palm hut over the Chamaedorea the other day. A LOT of work. The third "man" was my 11-year-old. 😆
--Erik

Posted : 15/03/2011 9:15 am

Cameron_z6a_N.S.

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Good luck! In a few years, they will be taller than that trachy!

Posted : 15/03/2011 9:25 am

hardyjim

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Good luck Barb!

That's great!

We should maybe take a moment of silence for Paul.......

O.K. long enough.

I would cover those Washys anytime it's around or
below freezing just to be safe.

What are your soil temps right now?

The reason I ask is because I would not water the Washys(unless they are
noticeably stressed) until it's reaching the mid 50s(F) because the roots are
very sensitive,esp with the combo of cool soil/moisture and transplanting.....

In fact,if the soil in the pots was moist when you planted them just leave
them alone for 2-4 weeks,unless it gets warm-70+

Posted : 15/03/2011 10:54 am

lucky1

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Haven't got a thermometer for soil temp, but that area would never grow even perennial flowers because it's so hot in summer.
Soil was dry while digging, the only moisture came from potting soil in their containers.
Watered a bit just to settle them in so I wouldn't have to stomp on sensitive roots.

I read somewhere that--of all palms--Washies can take some cold wet soil versus being too dry.

They'll outgrow the Trachy?
Really?
OK, now I'm reallyexcited at that prospect. :geek:

Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 15/03/2011 11:54 am

Okanagan desert-palms

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Nice to see everything planted again LOL. Was the soil amended under those newly planted W.filifera, W.filibusta? They should put on some serious growth with that palm fertilizer you have. Tulips have been popping up here for two weeks now. Time to start planting some palms here as well.

John

Okanagan Palms and Tropicals
6b-7a

Posted : 15/03/2011 1:00 pm

lucky1

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Yup, AGAIN, but they'll stay in the ground now! 😆

The soil was only amended with the potted soil around the roots.
Tried to keep as much of that intact.
Planting hole is basically shale and natural 7.2pH soil, which gets so hot in summer, never an earthworm ever discovered. 😕

I can't believe I beat you to palm planting, John.
Your place is warmer earlier than mine.

When should I use the Palm Special fertilizer on the Washies?

Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 15/03/2011 1:42 pm