Hey- no the person I was thinking of uses scaffolding wrapped in plastic to cover 'his' palms. If I recall correctly this was because they had grown far too tall for any normal protection to work... I'll send a message on the NE board and see if I get a reply. Apparently the site does not have an archive so i can't just go back a few years to find the info!

Still, that video is instructive and interesting... What will we all do when the palms get to 30 or 40 feet tall?

Paul, now I know what you're talking about!!! I think it was posted on the big board last year at somepoint!! If you post it there I'm sure someone will remember!!

Possibly the Washy in Oklahoma then Paul?

Was it a biggy?

I believe these cats just wrapped it in plastic up to but not closing the top
using.......a latter?

Or was it the guy in Iowa Paul?

Yeah, that Tulsa Washy fxb may be bigger. Reminds me that I promised Bill to get in touch with the guy. I'm busy at work this week, but hopefully by the end of the week I'll track him (John L.) down. PM me again if I forget, Bill. --Erik

Thanks Erik!!!

Joe from Salt Spring left me this message! Too bad I've never seen the article, but I have seen pictures before...

"I haven't heard from Tom in many years. in 1989 Tom sent me a ton of photos of the palms he grew and how he went about protecting them each winter. He also grew much more than palms. Oleander bushes and big as elephants! Huge Hibiscus and citrus too, all outdoors in the ground. He had a major protection plan using scaffolding and thick 6 mm plastic. His tallest Washies were fully skirted near 50'ft tall Robustas.He also grew mature Syagrus, Phoenix c., Sabal palmettos, Butias, Chamaerops and Trachycarpus. His garden is unreal. It was also featured in HPI several years after I had received a letter from him. I would love to have an update on Tom's exotic garden because it was mind blowing to say the least. Cheers, Joe"

Wow. I can only assume that the plams no longer exist, too bad, it would have been something to see all those palms, including the 50 foot Washies, in St. Louis (USDA zone 6).

ARctictropical ( im sure youve seen his work around), is in zone 5, and grows butia, trachys and other palms. All he used, was woden boxes, with compact flourescent light bulbs ( 3 or 4 depending on how large they are). He said hes used this method for years, and the plants survived -30C ( hes in utah). he said the compact flourescents put out enough heat, and last longer then normal bulbs ( incandescent).

ARctictropical ( im sure youve seen his work around), is in zone 5, and grows butia, trachys and other palms. All he used, was woden boxes, with compact flourescent light bulbs ( 3 or 4 depending on how large they are). He said hes used this method for years, and the plants survived -30C ( hes in utah). he said the compact flourescents put out enough heat, and last longer then normal bulbs ( incandescent).

Just to add on to this-Arctic is in zone 4 to the best of my knowledge and
his boxes are wooden framed with at least 1" styrofoam sides. 😀

Paul
Thanks for checking into it.

I can only assume that the plams no longer exist, too bad, it would have been something to see all those palms, including the 50 foot Washies, in St. Louis

😯 😯

You're saying they've been cut down??????

Barb

BTW, what's HPI?

Ah, thanks Jim......... its been a while since ive read the email he sent me. Still butia trachys and i thik washy too, in zone 4, and he also said he looses no leaves or really any problems.... THen again, sometime utah can be 10 or 15C in the middle of february, kind of like colorados weather.... or closer to home ( for me), Calgary

Made a video today kind of describing what I am planning to do this winter for protection..
http://www.youtube.com/user/ScottyOn1#p/a/u/0/GWdANFJfSxI

Man, has stuff ever grown this summer!
Nice crepe myrtle blossoms.

That huge Trachy bed will be a challenge for sure.

Yucca elata looks doubled in size, it's gorgeous. Tons of new leaves on that Washy, obviously loves its new spot.
And here comes the Bamboo creep....!!!!

I think the reason your two potted bananas out front didn't do much is because they're on the north side of your house, mostly shade.
They'd be a good planted test along the fence in back, versus throwing them out.

Maybe buy more wood
8)

Thanks for the video Scotty.
Barb

Nice video, Scotty.
For those who haven't tried, the whole filming/walking/narrating thing is a lot harder than it looks.
As for protection, I am looking forward to the Aucuba. I love them, and lots of people around here grow them. However, mine always come out of Summer in terrible shape (heat, sun, wind....) and so I have never kept one alive over winter. I have one alive right now (out of two I planted in Spring) and it looks awful. I might as well just plant crotons.
I think your Trachy plans are good. I use the hot water jug trick and have been happy with it, at least when I am home to actually do it.
I have not tried oleander and so will be especially interested in how that works for you. Maybe I'll try that in 2011.
Crepe myrtle is easy down here, so I have no advice. Even this past winter they came back great with no protection.
Of the plants you have, I say give the most care to Butia. I love pindo palms, but as Barb will tell you, it is not easy. I fuss over mine. Chamearops is easy by comparison (yet not as rewarding). --Erik

Thanks guys! Yeah more wood for sure!! Not much of a builder though! The bananas in the front get about 6 hours of sun a day sunce they are further iff the house. Maybe it's because they are in pots?? Maybe I'll keep them indoors over the winter and try them in the ground next year.. The Aucba only gets about 3 hours of sun per day, I hear they don't like direct sun.. You're doing the same thing for your trachy as last year, right Barb??

I second Erik's comment about looking after Butia...after all, mine's DEAD, and it was indoors over winter! 😥

Yup, Scotty, my Trachy will get the same palm hut as last year.
the carpenter already dropped by and asked when it's going up..."tad early...come back mid Oct"!
I'm too much of a chicken to wait until mid-December (as you planned Scotty).

The panels and clear roof spent all summer leaning against the front porch of my house...very stylish place to store it 😕
H was not impressed!

Gotta finish painting it...before the OSB pieces crumble out of it.
Barb