Here are a few shots from the construction of the 'Palm house'. The palms are Rhapidophyllum hystrix and Sabal minor. Both are well outside their range in a 4b/5a and were planted late. This is why the extreme protection this year. The enclosure will be heated with 2x heating cables. These turn on at 37f and off at 45f. The frame is wood, it is surrounded by thin plastic (2 layers, I'm adding another since the wind seems to blow right through the thin stuff). The top is a layer of plywood with plastic over the top. It has to be strong enough to support the weight (even if temproary) of about 2 feet + of snow.
Cheers,
Paul

During construction (with my father for scale!):
<img src=" " alt="fallpalmhouse 001"></a>
You can see the cords for the cables in this one. I've since moved them out of the leaves since they would be as effective under a layer of mulch!:
<img src=" " alt="fallpalmhouse 002"></a>
The needle palm partially covered in leaves:
<img src=" " alt="fallpalmhouse 005"></a>
And finally with the top in place:
<img src=" " alt="fallpalmhouse 008"></a>
You can see part of the lean-to (unheated) constructed to keep the old cactus bed dry!
<img src=" " alt="fallpalmhouse 009"></a>

Oh, and here is the banana enclosure before I had a chance to cover it with plastic. The thing on top was my poor attempt at a temporary roof! Hopefully the lights I strung around the pseudostem will be enough to help it overwinter.
<img src=" " alt="fallpalmhouse 003"></a>

great job!! nice sized needle. I hate to think that winter is almost here

Hey Paul...

Good work there....That palmhouse is kinda like the ones i have built and used for my w/mills...

Just remember to vent that palmhouse during the day...you might want to keep a thermometer inside as well.

I will wait as late in the season as possible before I actually cover them off with glass and plastic...

I also put a 6X8.5 Rion Greenhouse over another large windmill palm (just for this winter) then I'll move the greenhouse in March of nxt spring to another location in my yard..

Looks like you have quite a collection there...

Nice stuff...

I've posted some of my yard pics on the photo gallery...

PalmettomanZ6-Ajax, On

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/palmettoman/

Good stuff Palmetto man. I didn't actually plan a venting strategy. I guess I can just stick a rock under one side to let some air flow...

5 types of protection-
<a href=" " target="_blank"><img src=" " border="0" alt="12-7-08"></a>

cool stuff jim...i can see no snow buildup is possible...

palmettomanZ6-Ajax, On

Heres a pic from inside the largest"g/house"
<a href=" " target="_blank"><img src=" " border="0" alt="12-6-08"></a>

Jim,
Everything in that ghouse looks perfect! Have you been heating it? How low have you gone?
Nice work regardless!

Looks nice from the inside as well...

PalmettomanZ6-Ajax, On

I planted a palm in middle Dec,C.humilis(kind of stupid really)two nights later the back flap blew open in 40+mph winds!the temp briefly hit 12F (less than an hour)other than that upper teens at lowest.It has 2- 1500wt space heaters in it,the second one is backup,I have only used it for about 36 hours once when it was -5F outside,its actually -10F now at 11:53PM and its 22F inside so,no reason to turn on the other heater,the difference this time is there is a few inchs of snow on top keeping it insulated better.Heres afew other pics
<a href=" " target="_blank"><img src=" " border="0" alt="Chill'in"></a>
<a href=" " target="_blank"><img src=" " border="0" alt="12-05-08"></a>

You know jim last year I had a large cold frame green house and I use to do the same thing sitting inside looking at my palms.

Paul your palms looks so happy. I wish we had your weather sometimes.

This year I Knew it was going be cold, my blood was telling me it was gonna be bad bad bad. So I copied the method of protection from another member I think on gardenweb. Here are my palms. They cant be happier its a balmy 60F inside. Im sure the palmetto is happier then last year or the year before I recorded temps in the teens a few time because if mishaps to the enclosure.
<img src=" " alt="3F outdoor temp. 59F in the palm enclosures ">
<img src=" " alt="2">
<img src=" " alt="1">

Jim that winter desert garden looks great. Looks like fool proof protection. Maccario those palm boxes look like they are excellent protection for taller palms.Might have to do that myself for my bigger palms planted this year. How long have they been covered up? Paul keep us updated as to how your plants do after this cold blast you guys are getting.

John

John I think I started in November Im not sure if I remeber excatly. These are very sturdy and do work great for big palms, its 3F outside and about 60F inside the enclosure. The protection is so good I am getting a filifera next year with some trunk and puting a larger butia I have in a the ground as well. I got this design from another member on garden web named arctic tropical

I recognize that yard! almost as well as my own,forum jumper 😉
I have to say the styrofoam is the best way to go,after looking at the leaves of some of my palms.The clear palstic lets to much intense sunshine in for the leaves to handle,the more opaque plastic is better but does'nt insulate as well,the styro allows light to pass through without leaf damage,its like having the insulating value of snow without the cold/moisture,its also very easy to heat(less cost/energy) and does not overheat during the day,good stuff.I wish I could find it in outdoor trash can sized containers for sabals and other smaller palms,I will do more (if not all)styrofoam like inclosures next year,they also sell styrofoam insulation in rolls so maybe a wire cage with foam wrapped over it,great stuff!

Macario,I do enjoy sitting in the coldframe/g-house but I think next year I will reduce the overall size to try and reduce energy needs as far as heating goes.Your palms are going to be in perfect shape when they come out in spring and I bet that big sabal surprises you with some serious growth,Good luck! keep me in the loop in regaurd to your spring trip out west,I have really been getting into tree ferns lately so,who knows maybe I'll try and spring for a big one,I've already got 2-D.antarctica2-,C.medullaris and C.australis(last one may be cooperi,either way,its cool with me! 8)

I think with those styroboxes you should be able to keep more leaves on your soon to be new washy,probably grow like mad with a few hot summers,very cool/hot!