Uncovered my Trachy

bgodwin1987 · Post by **bgodwin1987** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:08 pm

I uncovered my Trachy today to see if it was still green, and it was on Jan 5th. Last year by this time it was fried. So far it has gotten down to 17 F hopefully it will keep it's leaves this year. The protection consists of a tomato cage wrapped in several layers of bubble wrap and the stuffed with straw. I also wrapped the trick in some burlap and put a plastic trash bag over the top to keep it dry.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:30 pm

Good news!

17F (-8C) is a mild winter.
Let's hope that's all the cold your Trachy sees.

What was your minimum temp last year?

Barb

bgodwin1987 · Post by **bgodwin1987** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:55 am

I think last winter my min temp was 1 F so this year so far has been pretty mild, I hope it stays that way I hate the cold, and so does my palm, lol. Heres a pic of my palm i took yesterday. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60940697@N ... hotostream

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:03 am

last winter my min temp was 1 F

Quite the difference

Looks very good!
If temps do plummet (and I hope they don't), are you planning on adding a string of Christmas lights to your enclosure to warm the spear area?
But careful, don't let bulbs touch the dry straw mulch.

I hate the cold too, Bryce. :lickice:

Barb

KrisK · Post by **KrisK** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:59 pm

Looks good n green to me! Are you watering it on nice days? I give mine a good
drink about once a week if the temps are decent and forecast to be above freezing
at night. Just keep it out of the spear area.
I would add some milk jugs or pop bottles filled with water around the base
of the tree for thermal mass, too. I leave the tops off the palm enclosures
unless we're forecast to go low 20sF. It's a delicate act keeping them dry, warm
at night, watered,but not too hot in the daytime in my zone 6b-7a.

bgodwin1987 · Post by **bgodwin1987** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:42 pm

I haven't decided weather or no to use lights or not barb im kinda afraid ill catch something on fire. I didn't use lights last year, it survived but lost its leaves. I do not water it at all in the winter time. I didn't think that was a good idea? it does get water though because the surrounding soil gets wet when it rains.

KrisK · Post by **KrisK** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:58 am

I think my palms were damaged more last winter by not watering, than by cold temps. As long as its above freezing and decently warm I've been watering once a week. I figure it can't hurt as long as I keep it out of the spear area. Besides, we are still behind on rainfall and it's been downright warm here for winter - not that I'm complaining! If the ground is wet from snow or rain, then you're prolly good. I do recommend the thermal mass\ water jugs highly though.

BrugsBunny · Post by **BrugsBunny** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:24 am

I do not like the Christmas lights anymore. A few years ago I wrapped my palms with berlap and built a frame with plastic all around it. Wrapped the lights around the burlap and added some mulch to the base of the plant.

Well let me tell you get out the marshmallows and hotdogs. I had a towering inferno in my back yard.

I can laugh about it now, but at the times was so angry.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:14 am

I don't think the lights were the only problem there.....
sometimes one protection method doesn't seem like
enough and other times 2-3 are not enough-don't light and leaf!