Jim you were talking about watering. What is a good watering schedule for the winter for Trachy's needles, sable or washies? I know that the Washie would probably need less water due to the fact it is a more desert palm.. Would you typically warm the water up?

I was just looking around at everything in the year that needs protection and it's not as bad as I would have thought. I have a couple of waves of protection at least. The first wave will be the worst since I need to dig up a million bananas. Most of which I have a feeling are going to be really heavy.

Then there's the Robustas, well I don't think I'm going to use insulation board anymore. I would need atleast 10 sheets probably more so thats like 300 bucks+. I have tons of 6 mil plastic which adds plenty of insulation here with 2 strings of
c9s on a thermostat at 48 or so. Pull them together, string the lights, roll out the cage, bang in supports, put on the plastic, plug in and done.
PROTECTED!!!!

Not fancy but I'm sure it will work.

Bill

Jim you were talking about watering. What is a good watering schedule for the winter for Trachy's needles, sable or washies? I know that the Washie would probably need less water due to the fact it is a more desert palm.. Would you typically warm the water up?

Sounds like a plan Bill!!!

Bill,

Be careful. If the washy fall to 22-25F, it will burn. If it falls below 22F, it will defoliate. Below 18F, it's dead. One of my washies fell to 19F last winter and struggled to come back this year. It's now in a pot for the winter and it's going back out next summer. If you fall to -10F, and only get 30F protection with your setup, you're defoliated. Do that a couple times in the winter, and the stress might kill the palms.

I'd go with the insulation board. Check Menards or Home Depot. Cheap there ($15 sheet). Get 4 sheets (1 1/2" board) per washy. Sheets are 4 ft x 8 ft. What I would do is pound four 2x2x8 ft tall posts in 45 inches apart. (Making 4 corners). Wrap plastic around those. Cut 2 pieces of insulation board at 45" wide. Screw them onto the posts on opposite sides, using 2" screws and washers. Then take the 48" wide boards and screw them onto the other opposite sides. What you'll have is a nice box then. Take a sheet of plywood and screw it to the top. For the south exposure (and possibly west) cut the insulation board in half before installing. You can then remove these top portions during the day for sun heating/light.

You then should be safe from extreme cold. Also these structures could be used for a few years before you have to build them taller. More cost upfront now, but savings later on. And living palms! If it wasn't for deep snow pack last year, I probably would have lost my washy in the front yard too because when it was -15F here, there was no way I was heating it if it weren't for the snow. I was only getting 20-25F with my structures without snow. I got lucky!! I would hate to see you lose those big washies. Remember, we need to preserve our crown as we don't have enough GDD per year to recover them this far north.

Thanks Wxman,

I know what your saying these guys are really sensitive, I should have only bought one not three 🙄 One of my problems is a 8 foot sheet is to short vertical, I need atleast ten and hope they don't grow more over the winter. I could always attach them diagonally. Good point on the temps I should throw one more string of lights in there for good measure. Jim said the same thing.

The weather here is not all that bad I guess it could be better but it could be worse. We don't really see below zero to often and if it does happen it's quick usually. Not that I can really gauge by my seven years living in this location. Last year was cold and we still didn't hit zero (3.6) but it could happen any year for sure. It's also rare to get more than a few days in a row below freezing, that could happen too though.

I'll get them through one way or the other. Now I wish they wern't so huge! I was like a kid in the candy shop at those Florida nurseries, give me give me give me I didn't even have a plan for all the stuff I bought I just winged it and planted stuff when I got back.

Who knows maybe I'll just completely box them in paint the inside with reflective paint and throw in some grow florecent grow lights along with the c-9s.

Thanks again wxman,
Bill

Scotty,my watering schedule was pretty simple,when ever we had a decent warm up coming I watered them,if it was a long break and they needed it I gave them a deep root watering.What I mean by warm up is,whenever I could leave the enclosures open for a few days.Deep watering open at night to if possible,shallow watering flaps open during the day.They don't need as much water if they are kept on the cool side.I think watering with water that's between 50-60F is a good plan,you don't want to shock them.I just brought water from gallons I had already poured and set out for at least a night from my plants inside.Good question.

I would also like to mention that I stop using fertilizer with N,after August(mid Aug is best unless your quite a bit farther south) no matter what the weather.In mid Aug- mid September I feed with high P fertilizer and from now until Oct 1,I will feed with potassium.

Bill-
Have you looked into the cost of foam wrap? also if you can get some space between your plastic(as I'm sure you know)sheets that will also work-I would guess almost as good as styrofoam?It does heat up fast inside though 🙄

Thanks for that info Jim... Another question about fertilizing. I only fertilized once when I planted. I used cow manure, compost, peat moss in the soil. I also used that slow release pellet miracle grow. Should I be using other methods on a more regular basis?

Scott, I like to use Carl Pool palm food it has everything your palm will need. It has time release and a upfront dose all in one. Apply in late spring when the weather looks better. you can order online pretty easily. I also like dynagro products for a quick shot here and there, they make some good stuff. You can use dynagro on everything too.

My watering is like Jim's if the weathers good, I use warm 5 gallon buckets.

Jim- I started looking at green house supplies the other day quickly, there is so many ways to do it. My out front one is the biggest concern for overheating since it gets sun all day. The two back one not as much. I should do three different enclosers and see which one I like the best 😆

Bill

Great tips as always.. Man, I'm such a palm rookie!! I'll order some of that fertilizer and give er a go in the spring!

Scott, your off to a great start! I would say your a rookie at all, you know more now than most people, trust me. This site
adds years to your belt quick. Look at the post about "nice palms will suffer" these people are supposed to know what there doing. I'll take some pictures in mid Dec to show everyone that cold 7a still kills palms very fast. It would help a lot if they where planted in the right spot.

Bill

Scotty,I start of the season once things warm up with fertilizer higher in P to stimulate root and stem strength then,as plants are growing more vigorously I use fertilizer with higher N,I also supplement with minerals and iron throughout the summer( also anything from crushed up vitamins,beer-cheap kind-molasses ,corn syrup)and some other stuff.I actually don't do all this that often but I do follow the P-N Spring/summer,P-K summer/fall schedule.
The potassium helps aid resistance to disease and helps increase cell wall thickness and tolerance to drought bugs etc.I also hit my palms with some epsom salts going into fall/winter.M and K are believed to aid in tolerance to cold but need to be done at least a month (really more) before cold hits.

So are you going to get busy this weekend on those shelters Bill?? Sounds like you're pretty sure what you want to do now. I'm thinking of starting on mine...

Not this weekend but maybe next. I totally changed everything after thinking about what my conditions are like here.
I really don't need to go crazy with heat as long as it's steady. The way I have it planned in my head is reasonably
cheap and should work flawless as long as the power stays on! I live 3 houses from Rte 1 so hopefully power will not
be an issue.

Bill