Search found 694 matches

by oppalm
Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:18 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: January Palm Bargain
Replies: 3
Views: 2062

welcome to the board. that is a great buy. best of luck with it.
by oppalm
Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:05 am
Forum: Germination
Topic: De-lidded a few of my trachycarpus fortunei seeds
Replies: 5
Views: 5416

well ...... did it work? My guess would be that these seeds would germinate faster than the others. I've done that to a few seeds and it seems to work. The problem is you have to be careful that you don't sand part of your knuckle off. I started using a small pair of pliers to hold the seed and rub ...
by oppalm
Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:49 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

you are so right kcpalms. our winter has been nice so far. I have 2 of my palms on a 20F/30F thermocube with heat and it has not turned on yet. Its just a matter of time at this point. just so the rest of the people know, kcpalms and oppalm are about 15 miles apart. kcpalms lives on the east side of...
by oppalm
Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:24 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

Hey Igor , how do you cover your palms and how do you keep them warm? Sounds like by the temps in your palmhuts you got this protection thingy figured out. Good for you.
by oppalm
Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:19 am
Forum: Member Introduction
Topic: Greetings from southern Illinois
Replies: 14
Views: 11202

Bryce - you da man. welcome to palms north. Barb is right, we love to see pics. what are you doing to protect your TF thats planted outside?
by oppalm
Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:10 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

minus 26C. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. I think you would need to keep the temps above -17C (0F) to have any chance of survival. Having said that, I think each cold spell brings its own challenges, the three day duration will also take its toll on your newly planted trachys. good luck winter can be unforgiving ...
by oppalm
Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:08 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

getting a little anxious to see if my thermocube is going to work this year. I have a 20F-30F (-16C--1C) thermocube in my palm hut and we have not had temps below like 25F this year yet. Even our 10 day forecst shows our lowest temp at 25F (about -3C). Weather has been fairly mild so far in winter 2...
by oppalm
Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:40 am
Forum: Wildlife From The Palm Gardens
Topic: Bear in Downtown Vancouver
Replies: 3
Views: 3877

probably looking for Pizza Hut. I know for a fact that bears love pizza crust. Nice outcome for the bear.
by oppalm
Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:04 am
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: Cleaning up the trunks on indoor palms
Replies: 9
Views: 4861

your bottle palm looks great. I gave up on mine. It never held more the 4 fronds at one time and looked horrible at the end of winter. Made the decision to get rid of it. I love the bottle (palm that is) but sometimes you gotta make tough decisions. Everything looks good in your cellection. the dog ...
by oppalm
Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:26 am
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: hydrogen peroxide?
Replies: 18
Views: 11757

hydrogen peroxide?

I was determined to find a way to keep the fungus gnats at a minimum this winter. About a month ago I was googling some stuff on the internet and found a cannabis website in which some dude (get it, a weed website) posted some information about hydrogen peroxide's magical powers to aerate the soil a...
by oppalm
Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:07 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Copper fungicide question
Replies: 2
Views: 1611

I've never used copper fungicide. I think you should only use copper fungicide when you absolutely have to. You can "google" it but I think the consensus is that a plant can build up a tolerance to copper fungicide and its effectiveness is minimized the more you use it. Bottom line is you ...
by oppalm
Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:00 am
Forum: Most Northern Palms
Topic: You Know You're a Palm Nut When...
Replies: 43
Views: 45827

.... first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is check your remote temperature sensors in your plam huts to see what the low/high was last night to determine if your heat came on and worked properly. Its the simple things in life that bring great joy.
by oppalm
Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:08 am
Forum: Soil
Topic: Repotting Hell
Replies: 17
Views: 12870

I had a Phoenix Roebellinii (Pygmy Date Palm) that had outgrown its container in June 2011. It actually needed to be repotted in 2010, but you know how that goes. Anyhow, I pulled it out of its container and the root structure looked like yours did Barb. I severely cut the root ball with a sharpened...
by oppalm
Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:08 am
Forum: Member Introduction
Topic: Hello from southern Ontario
Replies: 10
Views: 8232

welcome to plams north. great to have another northern plam nut. look forward to seeing your work next springtime. Following coconut mikes methods is a great start. you have much to learn young grasshopper. stay tuned.
by oppalm
Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:32 pm
Forum: Member Introduction
Topic: Hello from Poland
Replies: 6
Views: 5922

welcome godfryd. look forward to seeing pictures of your efforts.
by oppalm
Sat Dec 03, 2011 6:05 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

(Does the water freeze? If not, that should help moderate temps in the microclimate.[/quote]) The water very rarely will freeze over. we have a bubbler in dock wells to keep it from freezing solid around the dock, as a precaution. I agree that the water may produce a little warmer micro-climate. The...
by oppalm
Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:11 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: How do mexican fan palms do indoors?
Replies: 19
Views: 6717

heres a pic of my washington robusta (mexican fan palm). I said above that its 6 years old. I should correct and say that I bought it in 2005, so I've had it 6years. It was a tiny little thing when I bought it maybe 10-12 " tall. Its been a trooper over the years. I keep it in a west facing win...
by oppalm
Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:03 pm
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

Road Trip. Left this morning at 6:30AM to travel 2 1/2 hours to our lake house to cover 3 palms I have in-ground before the really cold weather sets in. I planted 1 trachycarpus fortunei and 2 sabal minors (very small 3 strap leaves) in April 2010. Covered them last winter with leaves and a trash ba...
by oppalm
Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:25 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Potted windmill question...
Replies: 8
Views: 3483

Agree with Barb, the windmill does not seem to mind being pot bound. In terms of keeping pests away, I use a systemic granular pest control and sprinkle it in the pots/conatiners when I bring them in for winter. also spray with a water and rubbing alcohol combo mix (1:4) about once a month. and then...
by oppalm
Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:37 pm
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Palm protection 6b-7a oklahoma
Replies: 17
Views: 11133

Kris, How many palms do you cover and how long in the ground?
by oppalm
Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:33 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Just for fun opinion.
Replies: 23
Views: 7231

place looks alot rough. no. however if Bea Arthur (from the Golden Girls) was a neighbor I'd consider it.
by oppalm
Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:44 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Pigmy Date Palm cold hardy?
Replies: 8
Views: 3727

it was wise to bring it inside for the winter. I've had really good luck with mine indoors in a west facing window.
by oppalm
Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:51 pm
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

I did leave a small 2" piece of insulation off of the top left hand corner and can see when the light is on (at night).
by oppalm
Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:22 pm
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

Lets hope the bulb doesn't burn out in January! alright like I don't have enough to worry about. I put a brand new bulb in the fixture and I intend to sleep outside next to the palm hut so I can monitor the temps more closely (j/k). Actually I'll just have to monitor the temps every 2 hours in the ...
by oppalm
Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:46 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Trachy germination area
Replies: 25
Views: 9459

good luck wxman. I am guessing a Trachy Fortunei growing operation will keep you busy for winter. In my area of the midwest many stores (Home Depot, Lowes, True Value Hardwarde) are beginning to carry cold hardy palms, i.e. trachys, mediterranean fan palm and needle palms and they are selling nice s...
by oppalm
Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:30 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

Barb, No rocks in the soil. The 1X2's went in ground quite easy, and they were .79 cents each at HD. This is the first year for this Trachy in ground. It was planted in ground in April 2011. Birthday gift from my wife and kids in 2010. The electrical cord is for the thermo cube (20F/30F) (-6C/-1C) t...
by oppalm
Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:11 pm
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

[quote="lucky1"]They sure look healthy after a previous winter outdoors. Gonna separate them before they get 8 feet tall, Kent? :P I suppose I will dig them up and transplant in the springtime if they survive winter. I just planted them because I had excess seeds and wanted to see what wou...
by oppalm
Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:06 pm
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

I was busy today. proof is pictures of my winter protection for my trachy fortunei. built 2 palm huts just like this. Build the frame up around it. install an outdoor spot light fixture and a 20/30F thermocube. a very simple construction project. Just pounded the 1X2's into the ground maybe 6" ...
by oppalm
Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:37 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

hardyjim wrote:those are dead for sure
not yet. they survived as seedlings last year in the same set-up, see the first pics in this thread. Jim, I live year to year baby, if they don't survive, I just plant more. Thats the kind of guy I am. I am just livin' on the edge.
by oppalm
Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:27 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

heres a pic of how I overwinter the 5 little trachys and livistonia chinensis on the north side of my house. no heat, its just leaves crammed in the box and a roof over the top to keep winter rain and snow out. Little box is made of 1X2's hammered in ground and then a frame made around the top. Take...
by oppalm
Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:16 am
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: Palms indoor for winter - 2011
Replies: 9
Views: 4883

Palms indoor for winter - 2011

update pictures of my palms brought indoors for winter 2011-2012. First up is my foxtail and a bamboo palm (to the left) in an east facing room. not much light so I've rigged up a bamboo pole tied to the trunk of the palm with 2 spot lights that shine down on the palm with 100W fluorescent bulbs in ...
by oppalm
Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:25 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: Closed up my Windmill Palms today!
Replies: 13
Views: 4403

very nice. great to see how every one is doing it. I looked at the styrofoam sheets at HD and they had an R rating of like a 5. I'll post pics tomorrow of my palm huts and my methods. I chose to go with fiberglass insulation with an R rating of 13. I use 2 60W light bulbs on a 20/30 (correction) the...
by oppalm
Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:11 pm
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: Fungus Gnat great tips!
Replies: 19
Views: 8859

it looks like some kind of bug to me. I'd spray it with a 1 to 4 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. I am NOT a Celine Dion fan. I made that comment to show my humorous side. My CD collection is loaded with rock and roll. My phone is loaded with more rock and roll and my radio stations are tuned t...
by oppalm
Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:20 am
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: Fungus Gnat great tips!
Replies: 19
Views: 8859

Scott, For what its worth, when I get a new palmtree, I do as little as possible to it i.e. root disturbance, fertililizing etc. until a few weeks after I get the palm just to make sure the palm has settled into its new surroundings. It should also be placed out of direct sunlight, away from heat ve...
by oppalm
Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:50 pm
Forum: Indoor Palms
Topic: Palms Indoors for winter
Replies: 71
Views: 33037

nice coconuts. :lol:

Scott nice foxtail.
by oppalm
Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:20 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Basjoo Protection 6b-7a Oklahoma
Replies: 19
Views: 11729

Nicely done Kris. Thats what I'm talking about. A simple, easy to follow, step by step explanation with pictures of a man and his winter protection methods. Securing with duct tape and twine is a beautiful thing. Looks well thought out and looks like you've done that before.
by oppalm
Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:46 pm
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: How do mexican fan palms do indoors?
Replies: 19
Views: 6717

I've had great success with Washy Robusta (Mexican Fan Palm) inside. I'll post a pic this weekend. Its about 6 years old now, spends each winter indoors in a west window. Probably about 5' tall. no bugs ever.
by oppalm
Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:55 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: A very sick Trachy for sale
Replies: 18
Views: 4972

I don't know. it looks pretty sad. Wonder if the seller even knows it looks horrible? probably not.
by oppalm
Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:14 am
Forum: Cold Hardy Palms
Topic: A few pics of the garden- taken in the last few weeks.
Replies: 45
Views: 16048

WOW. you crazy. your yard looks great. Its amazing what just a few years of growth can do for a tropical look. Good luck on your wintering plans.
by oppalm
Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:38 am
Forum: Greenhouse & Outside Protection
Topic: Outside protection Zone 6 - 2011
Replies: 88
Views: 61450

KrisK - yes I grow banana plants. I have one musa basjoo I leave in ground, cut the stem down to about 12" high, and then mulch with about 24" of leaves and cover with plastic. Its been in ground about 3 years, and has grown larger each year, yet no pups. Not sure why I have no pups. I hav...