Search found 33 matches

by Estiva
Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:10 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: Post-Germination Blues
Replies: 5
Views: 5116

Post-Germination Blues

I've had little success growing palms from seed. Not that I've had any problem with getting the palms to germinate--I've had near 100% with Washingtonias, about 80% with Sabals, and about 40% with Rhapidophyllum Hystrix (which is about average for them). I have better luck outside!!! (Currently, 1 T...
by Estiva
Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:32 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: forecasts
Replies: 11
Views: 7430

The official temperature for metro Milwaukee is taken at Mitchell International Airport. Because of it being about 2 1/2 miles from Lake Michigan, official winter temps tend to be slightly warmer than alot of the metro area. The big differnce can be in the spring and summer where it can be 90F a sev...
by Estiva
Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:12 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

Laaz--Thanks for the tip, I did not know that. Palmetto Man--I will as soon as I can get some pics. These are small-they were both 3-gal, and last winter they totally defoliated, so they're not real imprssive. My Takil has about seven leaves incuding the spear, my Fortunei, one. Desert--It's not too...
by Estiva
Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:19 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

By the way, when I said it doen't get down to 35F, that's the temperature inside the structure. And, the milk jugs have water in them with their caps filled about 80%.
by Estiva
Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:15 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

I have one T. Takil and one smaller T Fortunei I am overwintering using supplemental heat. They are both going through their 2nd winter in the ground. Last winter, we had a minimum low of -16F. I had low-wattage (40w and 25w respectively) bulbs that would turn on at dusk, and then back on at dawn; r...
by Estiva
Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:34 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

We're still holding on to our 7b winter (6F low last month) --tonight's low down to only 25F; tomorrow a little chillier to 15F. My covered T. Fortunei at a balmy 54F with the help of a 60w bulb. For a change, the eastern 1/2 of the Midwest seems to be immune from the coldwaves. The next two weeks a...
by Estiva
Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:22 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

Nucci60-


The only mature palms in the Milwaukee area are at "The Domes" downtown (enclosed arboretum). I just put in Milwaukee because it's my metro area and I wanted to compare it to the usually warm Southwest.

Estiva
by Estiva
Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:48 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

Trachy for sale

Oops....on eBay
by Estiva
Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:47 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

Forecast temps

The Weather Channel seems to be pretty accurate--it's a pretty big story in those locations. If it's 33F at LAX, it can't be more than 35F-36F at the beach, since LAX is just inland. WOW. Also, there's someone in the Chicago area who's selling a big Trachy: Item Title PayPal Bids Price* Shipping to ...
by Estiva
Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:07 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?
Replies: 21
Views: 14248

Look At These Forecast Lows 1-12/1-13!!! And we're crazy?

These are forecasted lows tonight for selected cities in the Southwestern US. All of these cities have mature palms, mostly Washingtonia Filiferas and Robustas, but some also have less-hardy species. :shock: This should give all of us a little more confidence (source The Weather Channel): Lancaster,...
by Estiva
Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:00 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Climate Control/Thermostats
Replies: 0
Views: 4730

Climate Control/Thermostats

Hi everyone- I found a good, inexpensive product for helping our friends through the winter. It's a simple two-receptacle outlet that has a built-in thermostat that turns on at 35F/1.7C and off at 45F/7.2C. That's warm enough to keep the palms from freeze damage but cool enough to keep them "hi...
by Estiva
Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:14 pm
Forum: Most Northern Palms
Topic: Palms in Sitka, AK
Replies: 17
Views: 27502

Palms in Sitka, AK

There are palms rumored to alive (and well?) growing in Alaska's panhandle around the Sitka area. At first thought it seems ridiculous, but considering the affect of the ocean, are they zone 6/7? They're probably T. Fortuneis. Anyway, does anyone have any pics or links to pics--I would love to see t...
by Estiva
Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:46 am
Forum: Wanted
Topic: Trachycarpus takil
Replies: 3
Views: 7287

They do have them listed as T. Takil--I would think they would know the difference. Also, they have them listed as cold hardy to only 20F which is very conservative.
by Estiva
Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:56 pm
Forum: Wanted
Topic: Trachycarpus takil
Replies: 3
Views: 7287

Trachycarpus takil

Does anyone have a source for large (7-15 gal.US) Takils besides Jungle Music who charges 100% shipping? Thanks
by Estiva
Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:19 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Coldest temps?
Replies: 20
Views: 14237

Through my observations, the takil is a little hardier. I'm not sure what the low minimum temperature was inside the enclosure, but I can't imagine it stayed more than about 10F warmer, so it probably was exposed to -4F. That -14F was only overnight. I think we only went below 0F a few times the who...
by Estiva
Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:46 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: PlantDelights.com
Replies: 14
Views: 10151

Plant Delights:

Great, healthy plants, but pricey. Also shipping isn't cheap. Use them when you can't find what you want elsewhere.

Good luck.
by Estiva
Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:42 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: What are your three most favorite palms?
Replies: 13
Views: 9969

COCOS NUCIFERA

CANARY ISLAND DATE

WASHINGTONIA ROBUSTA
by Estiva
Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:25 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: I AM GETTING SEEDS
Replies: 2
Views: 3467

Kansas-

I do know that Sabal and Washingtonia seeds sometimes have a brownish-red color. If you'd like Washingtonia or Sabal seeds, they are about the least expensive to buy from reputable dealers, and that way you'll know what your getting.

Estiva 8)
by Estiva
Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:20 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Coldest temps?
Replies: 20
Views: 14237

Lowest temp

My record low this winter has been -14F/-26C I have a R. Hystrix with about 50-60% leaf burn but it is ALIVE and had had no artificial heat, just mulch. This plant (about a two-year old) was put into the ground only last Spring. It has reinspired my confidence in their cold-hardiness. My T. Takil an...
by Estiva
Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:57 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Musa Basjoo too
Replies: 12
Views: 10067

NO! NO! NO!

Don't pay $50 for a 3' Musa Basjoo--you'd be getting hosed. Why pay that much when you can pay $6.50 for a 10" that will be that tall by July at the least? Try:


http://www.hirts.com

or e-bay

Good luck!
by Estiva
Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:08 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: TYTY Nursery and zone 5 afghani palms?
Replies: 15
Views: 13458

TyTy

I don't have any personal experience with this company, but because of all the horror stories I've read, I would never deal with them. Nobody is perfect, but if you read posts from other web sites (e.g. davesgarden.com) you'd think they bordered on criminal. I used to go there just to be entertained...
by Estiva
Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:40 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: I'm SO Excited
Replies: 2
Views: 2852

Kansas- The sabal is most likely a Sabal Palmetto, the state tree of both Florida and South Carolina. They are ubiquitous in Florida, and get fairly tall, up to about 60 feet. The other might be a Butia Capitata, or jelly palm. These are also very common in Florida, and are one of, if not the most c...
by Estiva
Tue Mar 01, 2005 7:20 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachycarpus Nanus
Replies: 5
Views: 4579

Trachycarpus Nanus

Has anyone had any experience with Trachcarpus Nanus (dwarf Windmill palm)? I have read both that it is trunked--to about ten feet--and that it is untrunked.

If it is a trunking form, it would seem an easier palm to protect in the winter given its stature.
by Estiva
Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:35 am
Forum: Wanted
Topic: sabal seeds
Replies: 16
Views: 17850

Jay- I'll take some. Send me your address at (dingrassia@wi.rr.com), I'll do the same. If you have more than you need, we'll trade 1-1. If not, I'll give you two for one of the Fortunei. I've got about 16. Remember, these are sabal Palmetto, not sabal minor, and they're from central Florida, just no...
by Estiva
Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:12 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Great site you might like
Replies: 2
Views: 4322

Great site you might like

Hello everyone. Here is a site you might find useful: www.davesgarden.com It's a great website to do research, bt probably its greatest asset is the "Garden Watchdog" section, where you can read up on good :D (and not so good :evil: ) mail-order websites. A fun start is to look up the TyTy...
by Estiva
Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:27 am
Forum: Wanted
Topic: sabal seeds
Replies: 16
Views: 17850

Wes- I have quite a few sabal Palmetto (tree form) seeds harvested last month from central Florida. I can validate the quality since I'm seeing 30-40% germination since sowing them January 1st. I'd be interested in getting some of your T. Fortunei seeds. Let me know. Thanks. Estiva dingrassia@wi.rr....
by Estiva
Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:35 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy - General
Topic: Mazari and Kumoan Palms/varietal myths?
Replies: 8
Views: 7601

Photo Link

I don't right now. I do have a digital camera, but I dont have a personal web page, so I don't know how I would have a link--I'm not entirely up to date internet wise. Holpefully I can put some on the "winter protection" forum in the next couple of weeks.
by Estiva
Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:31 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy - General
Topic: Mazari and Kumoan Palms/varietal myths?
Replies: 8
Views: 7601

Mazari and Kumoan Palms/varietal myths?

:?: Is anyone familiar with Trachcarpus Takil and Nannorhops Ritchiana? Trachycarpus Takil , common name Kumoan (sp.) Palm--native to the Himilayas, taller than T. Fortunei, and rumored as hardy or hardier than T. Fortunei Nannorhops Ritchiana , common name Mazari palm--native to Iran, Iraq, Pakista...
by Estiva
Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:51 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Growing Cold Hardy Palms
Replies: 30
Views: 30020

Hello everyone: :shock: (the look of Zone Denial)This is my third or fourth post, but I havn't formally introduced myself. I live in SE Wisconsin Z5b(maybe I'm the craziest of them all!). My first interest in palms was when I was 17 years old and took a bus trip to Phoenix. I remember seeing my firs...
by Estiva
Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:33 am
Forum: Cold Hardy - General
Topic: Heating Cables
Replies: 4
Views: 5071

Cheap Heating Cables

Hi everyone: In the plumbing section of most hardware or home centers (at least in areas that have hard freezes, like Wisconsin) you will find heating cables for pipes (prevents pipes from freezing). I bought a six foot cable for about $16. Most of these cables have an internal thermostat that turns...
by Estiva
Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:21 am
Forum: Seed Exchange
Topic: cacti for palms
Replies: 1
Views: 3991

Catus/Palm Swap

KirkUT-

I should have come across your post a couple of weeks ago--just bought prickly pear. Do you have any agave or yucca to trade? What type of palm are you looking for? And, what zone are you?

Estiva :)
by Estiva
Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:51 am
Forum: Seed Exchange
Topic: Sabal minor and Rhapdiophyllum hystrix seeds...
Replies: 6
Views: 7537

:) DesertZone-Nice web site. I knew Idaho had some arid areas, but no idea it was that "deserty". Are you trying any other palms besides the R. Hystrix? I've got three here that I planted last Spring, and they seem to be holding up well, despite -6F so far. I'd be interested in any seeds/s...
by Estiva
Wed Jan 05, 2005 8:18 am
Forum: Seed Exchange
Topic: Sabal minor and Rhapdiophyllum hystrix seeds...
Replies: 6
Views: 7537

Sabal Palmetto available

I have about 25 or so Sabal Palmetto (tree form) that I would be willing to trade for Sabal Minor or R. Hystix. Seed collected in Central Florida in December, 2004