Erik,

It's good you've got some time before cold arrives.

The wind broke a 2 x 4??? 😯
Normally the plastic shreds first...especially when it's really cold.

Barb

We're trying to finish the palm hut today with a roof for the rain coming tonight and to reinforce for the winds.
Here is a photo in progress.
Mostly I'm just posting to rub it in that it is 80 oF (26 oC) now at 1 pm! 😀 😀 😀
(OK, I'll be at -7 oC real soon 🙁 )
--Erik

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Those radicalis are pimp 😈

Thanks!
Roof is up, but I'm out adding wind protection now--very windy. And 80 oF 😀
More photos soon. --Erik

Attaboy, Erik.

Enjoy your warmth!
Barb

Barb,
we are!
It is 27 oF this evening and heading down to 20 oF overnight, which is warm in comparison with everyone else here.

Yesterday, W came home after working 30 hours so of course I handed her a hammer and put her to work, knowing she had a 52 hours shift coming up (am I good a H or what?).

Here are a few photos, #1&2 from yesterday:
#1 W hard at work
#2 palm hut nearly done
#3 proof that the thermocube works (from a few minutes ago)

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You did it! or should I say, W did it 8)

The entire hut is see-through, you'll probably add more insulation inside as winter deepens.
Nice job on the roof construction, looks sturdy.

When temps cool you can add a bunch of soil or mulch between its base and the ground to close gaps.

So...you're installing heat tape and C-9s? or heat tape and a ceramic heater?

No hurry though in your good weather 😀

Now let that good woman get some rest. :angel9:
Barb

PS--what...5 or 6 more to construct?
😀

Now let that good woman get some rest. :angel9:
Barb

😀

She never rests.
She came by this morning to check on the palm hut. Here is a crop of the cell-phone snap she took. I am in a green sweat-shirt toward the upper right, by the diving board. Admiring the palm protection and making plans for today. --Erik

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Nice palm house Erik. Sorry I didn't get right back to you that night I was burnt out to the max. All I was saying about the inferred spot lights is they can totally suck the life out of palm fronds by drying them up with heat. Just keep an eye on them, I would hate for you to go through all that work and have the fronds burned from the light. That's all I was saying.

I felt like a jerk after you said that's what you where using 😳 I really hadn't had more then a few minutes to glance over things and I missed your spot light picture.

Hope you had a nice Turkey Day!

Bill

Erik,
What a cool shot! Looks good.

How're the plans doing in your ball/cold room?
Barb

I meant PLANTS.

Barb,
wow! I thought Jim's weather sticker had glitches. Yours shows -9999oC right now.
:verycold:

I'll do a new thread on keeping plants happy indoors, as I always lose some, and may have lost the Lantana standard already.
Everything else looks good, and the larger triangle palm is actively putting out a new leaf despite being away from the window!

Bill,
I will check. I use those 250w bulbs in hoods for animal protection in winter (esp. chickens, kids) and so just think of them first. I put it up kinds high so it is well away from any leaves. But I'll keep checking. I have a ceramic heater with a fan in there (on the same thermocube) which probably does most of the work. I wanted a light so I could see when it went on, and figured if I was doing a light anyways, why not a hot one?

As Barb says, I need to fill in gaps at the base and put some mulch in there (but away from the heat sources). Before it gets really cold I need to do more insulation all around. Last night was not as cold as was forecast--we bottomed out at 24 oF and warmed up quickly. It never got below freezing in there; I put the thermometer by the glass wall on a corner to be conservative (the thermocube is placed better).

Jesse,
yes, the C. radicalis are pimp. They had a fantastic Summer despite (because?) they got more sun that I planned on.
The largest one is up by the front. I tried tying the fronds to keep them from touching the glass front, knowing that will freeze them. They kept breaking free. I gave up on re-tying, knowing that the biggest three leaves were pointed inward.
Unfortunately, when I was placing the various potted "blue palms" in there I stepped on those leaves. Snapped off all three. 😡
The spear is fine, so I know it will recover, but I am still mad at myself. W saw it happen and was very grateful it was me and not her. 😳

--Erik

Weird.
I see -6C.

Maybe you saw our wind chill 😆 😆

I hear ya about loosing plants. Ive gone years without killing any, but im pretty sure ive effectivly rotted my chinese fan palm....

Im sure the radicalis will be fine.... Im hoping my seeds sprout soon.

Erik, I like the look of your hut, nice work. Hope everything works out for you this winter.