Palm protection 6b-7a oklahoma

[KrisK]

Here's how I overwinter my palms. The same methods were employed last year, when we hit -12f a couple nights in Feb.
Very similar to how I do bananas, but a few differences. I use the fenceposts, plastic fencing, plastic sheeting and twine/ duct tape to secure. No leaves in the cages; however, I will place bricks around the palm bases and wrap trunks with burlap and Xmas mini lites for only the coldest nites. Jugs of water also go into the cages to regulate temps.




Here's a C humilis "cerifera" that's been staked
The pictures are of different palms of various stages of protection.
I won't actually close them up today, buy you'll get an idea how to start. When I seal them up, I'll take pictures and finish the thread.

[KrisK]

Here's a reg green C humilis
Now I take zip ties and secure the fronds. I leave them loose so I can slide it up and down the petioles. You can get big ties at lowes or hd with hvac parts. At this step, I'd also wrap them in burlap and Xmas lites, but I'm not quite ready to entomb them yet.

[lucky1]

Kris, that's one very lovely C.h.cerifera !
Great blue!

I'll wait to see the "placing bricks" photo, trying to figure out what bricks provide, other than warming on a sunny day.
Thanks.
Barb

[KrisK]

Here's another green C humilis. Been zip tied, staked, and caged.



Finally, I have added the bricks and water jugs.



Note how I left slack in the zip tie so I can release the petioles. I'll leave these guys open till we start staying in the 20s at night. I'll update the post when I burlap, Xmas lite, and skin with plastic.

[KrisK]

Barb, thanks. Hope he does well this winter. First year in the ground, everybody else is going on year two. I've heard the cerifera are hardier than other forms, we will see I guess.

The bricks help hold heat, like the jugs. Last year I sat overturned buckets over the palms, inside the huts. The bricks helped keep the buckets from squashing the crowns. I'd like to use buckets again but I think the palms may be too large.

[lucky1]

I've heard cerifera are tender when young but get much hardier within 2 or 3 years.

And Christmas lights laying on top of the bricks would warm the entire brick...good idea.
Healthy looking palms!

Bakeries/bread wholesalers have larger buckets, sell for a couple of bucks.
But cleaning them is a pain.
All that licking of muffin mix from the sides

Thanks for updated pics.
Barb

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Great work, Kris!

[KrisK]

Lol Barb I may have to look into the bakery route. I thought about trash cans but then I priced some - too much!
I have a min pin dog - I'm sure he'd appreciate licking the leftovers up!

Cameron - Thanks. I worked hard on them. I had to hastily protect them after work this am. Forecast showing lows in the 20s for the next week. I'll take pix when I do them up for real on Tuesday.

[TerdalFarm]

I should have saved my trash cans for you.
I might have the collection of heat tape and C9 lights still which you can have.
As with you, I've used the water jug thermal mass concept along with bricks (+cinder blocks).
My favorite trick was passing loops of heat tape around the water jugs so they didn't freeze.

[hardyjim]

Those are some purdy Chammys!

[TerdalFarm]

Found the box of electric stuff for palms. Let me know if interested, Kris

[KrisK]

Jim, thanks! Best of luck with your garden this winter. May it be a mild and short season.

Erik, the Xmas lights work great for me. The jugs never froze over even during our -12f fest last Feb. I appreciate the offer, but you better hold onto them. You'll be back in the game again.

[hardyjim]

Jim, thanks! Best of luck with your garden this winter. May it be a mild and short season.

Erik, the Xmas lights work great for me. The jugs never froze over even during our -12f fest last Feb. I appreciate the offer, but you better hold onto them. You'll be back in the game again.

word

[KrisK]

Ok so here we go for real this time. I've wrapped the palm in loosely secured burlap and placed mini lights around it. I'm not sure if the lights help much, but the water jugs haven't ever frozen solid.



Cask of amontillado - palm style



The bricks help regulate heat but mainly I use them to prop an overturned bucket over the crown. I may trade the bricks out for stakes at some point.

[KrisK]

Wrap with sheeting secured by duct and twine. I cut a "lid" from some rmax foam board and cover the top with more secured plastic sheeting. I only put the top on if we're heading to the 20s or lower, or precip is forecast. Otherwise the bucket is off and the tops are open.

[img] <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26394087@N02/6432341355/" title="photo by ricerocket962001, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6432 ... 854d96.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="photo"></a> [\img]

[lucky1]

not sure if the lights help much

Wow, those ARE small lights.
Wouldn't work in my zone.

Nice job protecting...and recording.
Thanks!

Barb

[oppalm]

Kris, How many palms do you cover and how long in the ground?

[KrisK]

Kent, too many.
2 needles
1 windmill
3 med fans

I have sabal minors all over the yard.

These guys are working on year two. Well the cerifera was a new addition this year. The plan is to relocate my basjoos to behind the deck in the spring, then plant another windmill on the right side of my deck.