Search found 187 matches

by KrisK
Sun Aug 30, 2015 3:59 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy - General
Topic: Musa Basjoo Going to bloom!!
Replies: 12
Views: 11227

You bet, Doc!

Give me a couple days to get off my work rotation.
by KrisK
Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:34 am
Forum: Cold Hardy - General
Topic: Musa Basjoo Going to bloom!!
Replies: 12
Views: 11227

Awesome! I always think it looks like an ear of corn coming up the stalk. I got three inflos this year. We had a ton of rain and the high temps, while warm, didn't fry any leaves. The bloom is bittersweet because that particular stalk will die, but you get the honor of saying you got to see a real b...
by KrisK
Thu Aug 13, 2015 8:25 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Need help with Sabal Minor
Replies: 17
Views: 10070

They'll be fine in standing water when in the ground. I've overwatered in pots and killed them.
by KrisK
Sat Aug 08, 2015 1:57 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Need help with Sabal Minor
Replies: 17
Views: 10070

Nice size minor for $20! Is it a Monrovia? Funny to see an obscure plant like sabal minor being sold by such a big outfit! Everybody's advice is good, don't try to unwrap the roots. If you break a root it will die all the way back to the rootball. I had the bright idea of separating a triple sabal m...
by KrisK
Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:16 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Next winter....palm protection I'm going to try.
Replies: 53
Views: 80328

Erik I do need to post some pics. Just not much time these days.

No, we usually stay closer to 0 > 10f. I think we got below 0 in February 2011.
by KrisK
Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:52 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Next winter....palm protection I'm going to try.
Replies: 53
Views: 80328

Where are you located? Care to show pics of your winterizing method step by step on what you do? I'm in Oklahoma. I don't think I have a step by step photo essay, and I've already unwrapped everything except my musa basjoo. My trachies protection is pretty much what you described, I bundle the fron...
by KrisK
Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:16 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Next winter....palm protection I'm going to try.
Replies: 53
Views: 80328

doesn't seem like a good idea to me. These barrels take up a lot of room, my intent will be to throw them out behind my shed during the summer time for storage. I have 5 6-8 foot tall palms that I have to box up each winter. If you want to monkey with batting, you might as well wrap the palm in fro...
by KrisK
Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:06 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Next winter....palm protection I'm going to try.
Replies: 53
Views: 80328

How bout if you used the barrels, split down the middle, but glued fiberglass house insulation inside them? Like R13 or R19 fiberglass and 3M spray adhesive to hold it in place? Those cans of Great Stuff expanding foam would get expensive and the foam doesn't hold up to mechanical shock very well.
by KrisK
Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:29 am
Forum: Other Plants of Interest
Topic: Summer snow gardenia
Replies: 7
Views: 7288

You're welcome. I just think gardenia are a true zone 8 indicator, kind of like oleander. I'm planning on trying the Summer Snow, but don't have a ton of hope. I think there'd be more out there on the 'net if they were very hardy. There's also gardenia 'jubilation', but I havn't tried it either. Goo...
by KrisK
Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:12 am
Forum: Other Plants of Interest
Topic: Summer snow gardenia
Replies: 7
Views: 7288

I have not tried Summer Snow, but it's on my list to plant this year. I have tried grifs, chuck hayes, daisy, kleims, and radicans, and chuck Hayes is the only one still in the ground. You could call it "alive", but it dies back to almost the ground only to to grow about a foot over our se...
by KrisK
Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:04 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Desert Area
Topic: Agave
Replies: 49
Views: 52254

You won't have a problem with eucomis or hardy crinums. That spotted manfreda will surprise me if it makes it, though. Manfreda virginica should do well in your zone but isn't as showy. Tell me about agave Havardiana and ovatifolia. You say they'll live through zone 7 temps with precip? That's prett...
by KrisK
Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:21 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Desert Area
Topic: Agave
Replies: 49
Views: 52254

You have lots of nice agave and yucca, there. I think I saw some manfreda, also. Those eucomis should be winter hardy for you. They have cool blooms that last a very long time.
by KrisK
Wed Jun 18, 2014 10:07 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Heat has arrived, yard update
Replies: 10
Views: 5358

Skutch, thanks. Maybe the fibers are useful for something? Theyre very strong when dried. They are just decorative for me. You are right about the humidity you can slice it with a knife. The bananas enjoy it. I think I've had these basjoos for 5 or 6 years. They're in big raised beds so I have to cu...
by KrisK
Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:31 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Heat has arrived, yard update
Replies: 10
Views: 5358

I'll put the feelers out, Eric. Thanks Jim, the heat finally hit and stayed with us. It's been unusually (compared to last three years) rainy and cool up until now. It was a welcome change because western OK had exceptional drought. I swear my sabals grew 4 inches this week. I look forward to watchi...
by KrisK
Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:33 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Heat has arrived, yard update
Replies: 10
Views: 5358

Thanks Barb. The sabals : plain minor, Birm, and Lou look tops. The brazoria got nailed. It kept two fronds and it's spear. It will probably decline and croak. The sabals are leaf hardier I think. They had less protection than the trachies. I need to update with my med fans. The difference between g...
by KrisK
Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:35 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Heat has arrived, yard update
Replies: 10
Views: 5358

Heat has arrived, yard update

Well I think the heat has set in and the rain has dried up for awhile. Everybody knows how rough winter was, and in spite of this most of my things made it. Obligatory shot of the deck...trachies took it on the chin this winter <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/26394087@N02/14390875026/&qu...
by KrisK
Sat Jun 07, 2014 9:19 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Some more plant pictures.
Replies: 3
Views: 2441

Hard to tell winter happened. I always like your big yard updates, I really dig that variegated Arundo donax( I think that's what it was). I lost my big Yucca gloriosa but pups are already good sized. How hardy is that ensete glaucom?
by KrisK
Sat Jun 07, 2014 9:12 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Very large Pindo Palm... Burlington, Ontario
Replies: 19
Views: 11296

That's a monster!
Hate to bring it up, but what are your protection plans looking like?
by KrisK
Sat Jun 07, 2014 9:11 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trithrinax brasiliensis
Replies: 7
Views: 3556

Ha! The jokes on you this year! You could have stayed here in Oklahoma and experienced Ory-gun weather at home! It's rained almost every day lately. Can't complain about my water bill but it makes it hard to line-dry my clothes! Hope all is well and you have a good visit. Look like some neat specime...
by KrisK
Fri May 16, 2014 11:33 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Desert Area
Topic: The Little Desert Before and After the Winter Slaughter
Replies: 6
Views: 6199

Looks good considering the severe winter.
How do you keep your Delosperma "fire spinner" alive thru winter? They look amazing in boom!
by KrisK
Thu May 08, 2014 7:47 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Big palm shipment is in!
Replies: 11
Views: 6058

I like! Ima be nosey and ask what kind of business it is?
by KrisK
Thu May 08, 2014 7:46 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Wichita's palms after the Arctic's visit...;)
Replies: 4
Views: 3051

Thanks for the pics, they look pretty good considerin'!
Tell me about your temps, like extreme lows ( how many) and duration.

We took it on the chin here with gettin close to "0f" several times and 3-4 times were we stayed below freezing for 3-4 consecutive days.
by KrisK
Fri May 02, 2014 9:31 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Big palm shipment is in!
Replies: 11
Views: 6058

That's too dang cool, man! I love the "island" trachy! You have a pretty awesome boss to give you free reign on the landscaping. That is sure to turn heads and drum up business.
by KrisK
Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:53 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: US$100 Chammies
Replies: 11
Views: 5466

Hi Eric! Seems a little high, how big are they? Green chammies are tough, as evidenced by the ones that were in wagoner a few years back. I think this winter really showed the threshold that green chammies can take, here in Oklahoma. My two green chammies: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos...
by KrisK
Mon Apr 07, 2014 6:55 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Uncovered my windmill palm last weekend
Replies: 4
Views: 3262

Always enjoy your new growing season pics every spring, Wxman. Looks better than mine for sure! How does the other trachy look?

Now, you'll have those atlanta boys in an uproar over that statement, sir !
by KrisK
Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:41 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Protecting very large palms
Replies: 18
Views: 6773

I remember seeing that pic, Andy. It's from Tyler, Texas. Quite fashionable, for sure! Probably unnecessary, too! I think they're an 8b.
by KrisK
Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:00 am
Forum: Other Plants of Interest
Topic: Plant Id?
Replies: 4
Views: 3692

You're welcome, cool page you're making. I've always wanted gunnera but I don't think it'll take much heat. There's no shortage of heat here in the summertime. Don't forget canna 'stuttgart' for foliage!
by KrisK
Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:49 am
Forum: Other Plants of Interest
Topic: Plant Id?
Replies: 4
Views: 3692

I think it's a variegated leopard plant, farfugium on the front left. If you click the pics on thru pinterest it links to a verbal walkthru of the garden. The author thinks it's farfugium, too. The big elephant ear looking one is gunnera I think, and the extreme middle-right variegated plant sure lo...
by KrisK
Fri Mar 07, 2014 5:19 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Opened up the Washies
Replies: 25
Views: 11860

Lots of green! That's good! Whatever you did, worked! My trachies could've passed for braheas. Their fronds were this weird blue-green color when I pulled off their protection. It was cold induced of course. They have now developed into a lovely shade of blonde. Worst winter in 30 years (Supposed) a...
by KrisK
Fri Mar 07, 2014 5:11 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal minor questions...
Replies: 32
Views: 10861

You're welcome kspalmguy !

Thanks Eric, you're a scholar and a gentleman!
by KrisK
Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:49 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal minor questions...
Replies: 32
Views: 10861

They look nice. They'll appreciate being in the ground. I agree with the others, and I'd plant them as soon as the ground temp is >60F. I don't like Kansas' mesonet site as much as Oklahoma's but best I can tell, your soil temps are probably in the mid 30sF. http://mesonet.k-state.edu/weather/weekly...
by KrisK
Wed Feb 19, 2014 6:47 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachycarpus 'nanital' update
Replies: 66
Views: 25147

How's the spear, Tim? My plain fortunei look real similar to yours - freezer burnt, but I expect a recovery. I had heavy protection - r13 from the ground to the crown, and covered with plastic. I kinda half-@$$ed the top, and think the cold infiltrated there. We had 2-3 low single digit nights and 2...
by KrisK
Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:06 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Sabal minor questions...
Replies: 32
Views: 10861

Minors are very drought tolerant once they're established. They will appreciate extra water til established, and even after establishment will enjoy additional water. Well watered minors will put out about 4 fronds each growing season.
by KrisK
Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:30 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Cat peeing on potted Trachy?
Replies: 4
Views: 2493

Male dog pee will also totally destroy the aluminum fins on an AC condensor. My idiot dog was pissing on mine one winter for whatever reason. He's small so it didn't do much 4"x4" of damage but a big dog will wreck a unit in no time! Google image "dog urine ac condensor" to see t...
by KrisK
Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:56 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachy, pindo zone 6b...possible?
Replies: 36
Views: 14942

Sounds like a good haul, glad you got some good palms!
Post pics, we love pics especially sabal minor! They're my fave!
by KrisK
Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:46 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachy, pindo zone 6b...possible?
Replies: 36
Views: 14942

Thanks. Yup good eye, mike. I've got to move the canna because the white variegated part roasts in our sun. That's a texas Redstar hardy hibiscus keeping time with the canna and sabal. Not to be confused with one of Oklahoma's cash crops LOL!
by KrisK
Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:47 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachy, pindo zone 6b...possible?
Replies: 36
Views: 14942

Dunno if you saw this picture before, please forgive if it's a repeat, kspalmguy, but it's the Louisiana sabal Erik gave me that came from Alligator Alley. <iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/26394087@N02/9159733299/player/c4974cb0db" height="500" width="373" fra...
by KrisK
Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:44 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachy, pindo zone 6b...possible?
Replies: 36
Views: 14942

Hah! Cool!!
So did you talk to Don? What size are they? They're rock solid plants, no doubt.
by KrisK
Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:40 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Deaths already
Replies: 23
Views: 8659

Sorry to hear about those losses, Mike. Surprised they succumbed inside a garage, even if it was unheated. I overwatered a blue pot minor trio one winter. I'd bought them on the cheap at the end of season and it was too late to plant. I kept them in my heated garage. They rotted and didn't come back...
by KrisK
Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:31 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: My Trachy...healthy? (pics)
Replies: 2
Views: 2014

Looks ok to me. Let it dry between waterings. It won't lose as much water inside as it would outside. You should go to Orand Nursey in Ft Worth next time you're down that way and the Dallas Farmers Market also. You can spend some time and money at all those places!! Also check out Alligator Alley in...