starting to plan protection

[Syano10]

I have been studying this website for the past few weeks and thinking of a design for my Trachy Hut this winter. Trachy has been in ground since april and has put on some nice growth

Live in zone 6b

2 plans

1. Palm hut constructed of wood with plywood top. 2 sides (north and west) plywood with insulation.
other 2 sides (east and south) 2 ply green house plastic.

use c-9 bulbs or heat tape for supplemental heat at night and of course the sun during the day except on coldest day.

2. Build mini hoop house (green house over hole tree) same heat source.

Any thing i am forgetting??

[seedscanada]

in that mini hoop house without supplemental heat, on a day of full sun, it will get too hot and humid in there for the palm. You want growth in the winter to slow, since new growth is susceptible to cold and your nights can still get nippy. My hoop house which had thermocube actuated light bulbs (40w to 200w, depending on maximum low temp) got to be 100% humidity on most days... water would drip from the ceiling all day long it was so humid. Also the temperature would get up to 25c/ 85f even if it was below freezing outside. The one plus, was the soil never froze. I had a grapefruit tree in there however, rather than a palm, so the humidity was not a bad thing.

I suggest the box and bulbs. Buy a 35/45f thermocube.

[lucky1]

Oh no, here we go planning for winter already

I used batt (fiberglass) insulation inside one of my palm teepees which was overwrapped with several layers of 6ml (doubled) vapor barrier.
Each spring I discovered fungus in both palms because the house insulation absorbs moisture.
An air space is critical to dissipate moisture, i.e. I never wrap anything right up around a palm, but others have with good success, just not me.

My best success is with the plywood palm hut with 1-inch styrofoam insulation glued into the walls.

Look forward to seeing what you end up doing.

...and no winter yet please .

Barb

[hardyjim]

As long as you open it so moisture can escape/keep a fan going you will be fine.

You will for sure still have water dripping as mentioned...probably why my Princeps
that was in the hoop-house pulled,to much water in the crown and to many freezes.

[TimMAz6]

welcome aboard!

Your just south of Hartford......your very similar to me as I'm next to Providence.

Here's my Trachy protection last winter....a wire cage filled with leaves and a roof to keep out rain/snow.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 264919.jpg>

I used them all over my yard last winter and they worked well even without leaves in them.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... FBAE44.jpg>

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 6bd66c.jpg>

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... a2a30a.jpg>

Here's a shot inside my Yucca carnerosana cage with no leaves.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 580A18.jpg>

We lost power for 35 hours straight in a snow storm last year and temps dropped to (-2.9F) and no plants died:
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 7288c9.jpg>

Inside the Citrumelo protection:
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... 0d2169.jpg>

Inside some of the cages I had a string of small xmas lights.....I would turn them on during cold spells......didn't work when the power went out!

Here's when I removed the Trachy protection.......only the leaves which poked out the roof edge got fried.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... b7c46f.jpg>

Most of the roofs are kids sleds I picked up at 'Job Lot' a discount retailer around here......you may have them in CT too. They cost $4.99/each.

[hasty22]

Hey Tim . what is the white wrapping around the hardware cloth is that just poly? Thanks
Keith

[Syano10]

wow thanks for the detail! is the plastic green house plastic or just drop cloth plastic?