Outdoor protection, let's see what you're doing!

Discuss greenhouse related topics and outside weather protection methods.

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Paul Ont
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Outdoor protection, let's see what you're doing!

Post by Paul Ont » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:37 am

Hey everyone,
Let's see some pics/description of the following:
What your growing out of zone (or range in the case of desert plants)
How it's protected
A description of how you assembled the protection
and what sort of chances you think the plant has in your climate with/without protection.

Now I just need to get pictures of what I've protected! but here is an inital list:
Cacti- All on their own, not out of zone, but definately out of range. Given rapidly draining soil and full sun exposure. I expect to lose a few, but won't know which ones are gone till spring!
Yucca- Got a lot of them. The following will be given NO protection: Yucca glauca, Y. filamentosa, Y. arkansana, Y. baccata, Y. nana, Y. neomexicana, Y. kanabensis, Y. elata, Y. harrimaniae, Y. filata x recurvfolia (2 of 3), and I'm sure I'm missing some.
These will be given moisture protection: Yucca rostrata, Y. baccata (1), and Y. filata x recurvfolia.

Agaves- All given moisture protection. Agave parryi, A. parryi var. coeusii, A. touymeana (spelling?) ssp. bella, A. neomexicana (seedlings, W. Artemisia), A. havardiana, A. parryi (high altiude), and there may be others that I'm forgetting. These have little to no chance without moisture protection.

Bamboo- All species have been bent to the ground and mulched with a loose layer of straw (tops) and thick layer of cedar mulch (root zones). Phyllostachys nuda (2nd year), aureosulcata (2nd year), atrovaginata (new), aureosulcata alata (new), angusta (new), and bissetii (new). Without this treatment all new plants would likely be top-killed their first few winters and then periodically thereafter. I'll say, hopefully, that this treatment will allow perhaps 80% of the upper reaches of these bamboo to overwinter intact...

Banana- Trying Musa basjoo again. Here is what I did. i chopped the upper portions of the banana off after they froze. Then, I tied the stems togahter. I wrapped some of the stems with frost cloth, others I left bare. I then mulched the banana about 1.5-2 feet thick in cedar mulch. Then I hammered some large stakes into the ground about 2 feet out from the plant. Then I wrapped frost cloth around the stakes and stapled it in place. Next I placed 2 large water jugs at the base of the banana (partially embedded in the mulch. I hope they don't freeze!). Then I wrapped the stems with tiny xmas lights and filled the entire enclosure with leaves. The lights will be turned on whenever there is an extended freeze or when temps are below -5C. My prediction: Main stem will freeze almost to the ground. Some of the other stems will overwinter ok. Without protection the plant would die.

Palms- Sabal minor mccurtain and Sabal minor. Planted on south wall of house. I hammered some stakes in the ground about 2 feet from each and covered with frost cloth. I then mulched them about 6" to 1 ' with ceard mulch. next I loosely covered them with a pile of leaves (not wet leaves, and moisture SHOULD not be an issue. I did treat with fungicide first.
Sabal minor and Rhapidophyllum hystrix. These I planted in August. I have built a 'box' of wood and placed it over the entire bed. The box has been surrounded with plastic (still thinking about how to top it). The palms are mulched about 6", and there are a few leaves in the enclosure. I have also purchased 2, 3' pipe heating cords which I've wrapped around pop bottles full of water. These cords will turn on automatically whenever the temperature drops below 37f and shut off again when it hit 45f... This should be enough to get the palms through unscated.
Trachycarpus fortunei and Rhapidphyllum hystrix. Planted 2 summers ago. Never oerwinter very well. The Trachy overwinter with minor wrapping last winter but has yet to regain its full size from the time of original planting... This year I've mulched them and I will wrap the leaves in frost cloth and cover loosely with mulch. Unless it is a particularly tough winter this should be enough.
Without protection I'd say that all would perish, but I would hope that the Mccurtain would at least come back from the roots...

I have more, but this is already a long post. Ilex opaca, Paw-Paw, etc. But they are 'hardy' anyway...

Cheers,
Paul



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Paul Ont
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Construction of a palm house

Post by Paul Ont » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:11 am

Here are a few shots from the construction of the 'Palm house'. The palms are Rhapidophyllum hystrix and Sabal minor. Both are well outside their range in a 4b/5a and were planted late. This is why the extreme protection this year. The enclosure will be heated with 2x heating cables. These turn on at 37f and off at 45f. The frame is wood, it is surrounded by thin plastic (2 layers, I'm adding another since the wind seems to blow right through the thin stuff). The top is a layer of plywood with plastic over the top. It has to be strong enough to support the weight (even if temproary) of about 2 feet + of snow.
Cheers,
Paul

During construction (with my father for scale!):
<img src="http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/42049 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="fallpalmhouse 001"></a>
You can see the cords for the cables in this one. I've since moved them out of the leaves since they would be as effective under a layer of mulch!:
<img src="http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/41172 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="fallpalmhouse 002"></a>
The needle palm partially covered in leaves:
<img src="http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/42956 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="fallpalmhouse 005"></a>
And finally with the top in place:
<img src="http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/14946 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="fallpalmhouse 008"></a>
You can see part of the lean-to (unheated) constructed to keep the old cactus bed dry!
<img src="http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/20190 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="fallpalmhouse 009"></a>

Oh, and here is the banana enclosure before I had a chance to cover it with plastic. The thing on top was my poor attempt at a temporary roof! Hopefully the lights I strung around the pseudostem will be enough to help it overwinter.
<img src="http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/41864 ... 600Q85.jpg" alt="fallpalmhouse 003"></a>

macario
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protection

Post by macario » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:42 pm

great job!! nice sized needle. I hate to think that winter is almost here

PALMETTOMAN
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sontario pelm pics

Post by PALMETTOMAN » Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:19 pm

Hey Paul...

Good work there....That palmhouse is kinda like the ones i have built and used for my w/mills...

Just remember to vent that palmhouse during the day...you might want to keep a thermometer inside as well.

I will wait as late in the season as possible before I actually cover them off with glass and plastic...

I also put a 6X8.5 Rion Greenhouse over another large windmill palm (just for this winter) then I'll move the greenhouse in March of nxt spring to another location in my yard..

Looks like you have quite a collection there...

Nice stuff...

I've posted some of my yard pics on the photo gallery...

PalmettomanZ6-Ajax, On


http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/palmettoman/

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Paul Ont
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Post by Paul Ont » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:51 am

Good stuff Palmetto man. I didn't actually plan a venting strategy. I guess I can just stick a rock under one side to let some air flow...

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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:52 am

5 types of protection-
<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08002.jpg" border="0" alt="12-7-08"></a>
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... rfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

PALMETTOMAN
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iowa palm protection

Post by PALMETTOMAN » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:10 pm

cool stuff jim...i can see no snow buildup is possible...


palmettomanZ6-Ajax, On

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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:51 pm

Heres a pic from inside the largest"g/house"
<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08006.jpg" border="0" alt="12-6-08"></a>
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... rfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

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Paul Ont
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Post by Paul Ont » Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:53 am

Jim,
Everything in that ghouse looks perfect! Have you been heating it? How low have you gone?
Nice work regardless!

PALMETTOMAN
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biosphere in iowa

Post by PALMETTOMAN » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:07 pm

Looks nice from the inside as well...


PalmettomanZ6-Ajax, On

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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:04 pm

I planted a palm in middle Dec,C.humilis(kind of stupid really)two nights later the back flap blew open in 40+mph winds!the temp briefly hit 12F (less than an hour)other than that upper teens at lowest.It has 2- 1500wt space heaters in it,the second one is backup,I have only used it for about 36 hours once when it was -5F outside,its actually -10F now at 11:53PM and its 22F inside so,no reason to turn on the other heater,the difference this time is there is a few inchs of snow on top keeping it insulated better.Heres afew other pics
<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08005.jpg" border="0" alt="Chill'in"></a>
<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... ion010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... ion010.jpg" border="0" alt="12-05-08"></a>
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... rfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

macario
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Funny

Post by macario » Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:14 am

You know jim last year I had a large cold frame green house and I use to do the same thing sitting inside looking at my palms.

Paul your palms looks so happy. I wish we had your weather sometimes.

This year I Knew it was going be cold, my blood was telling me it was gonna be bad bad bad. So I copied the method of protection from another member I think on gardenweb. Here are my palms. They cant be happier its a balmy 60F inside. Im sure the palmetto is happier then last year or the year before I recorded temps in the teens a few time because if mishaps to the enclosure.
<img src="http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/41654 ... 500Q85.jpg" alt="3F outdoor temp. 59F in the palm enclosures ">
<img src="http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/36795 ... 500Q85.jpg" alt="2">
<img src="http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/44193 ... 500Q85.jpg" alt="1">

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Okanagan desert-palms
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Post by Okanagan desert-palms » Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:02 pm

Jim that winter desert garden looks great. Looks like fool proof protection. Maccario those palm boxes look like they are excellent protection for taller palms.Might have to do that myself for my bigger palms planted this year. How long have they been covered up? Paul keep us updated as to how your plants do after this cold blast you guys are getting.


John
Okanagan Palms and Tropicals
6b-7a

macario
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Palms

Post by macario » Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:47 pm

John I think I started in November Im not sure if I remeber excatly. These are very sturdy and do work great for big palms, its 3F outside and about 60F inside the enclosure. The protection is so good I am getting a filifera next year with some trunk and puting a larger butia I have in a the ground as well. I got this design from another member on garden web named arctic tropical

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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:53 pm

I recognize that yard! almost as well as my own,forum jumper :wink:
I have to say the styrofoam is the best way to go,after looking at the leaves of some of my palms.The clear palstic lets to much intense sunshine in for the leaves to handle,the more opaque plastic is better but does'nt insulate as well,the styro allows light to pass through without leaf damage,its like having the insulating value of snow without the cold/moisture,its also very easy to heat(less cost/energy) and does not overheat during the day,good stuff.I wish I could find it in outdoor trash can sized containers for sabals and other smaller palms,I will do more (if not all)styrofoam like inclosures next year,they also sell styrofoam insulation in rolls so maybe a wire cage with foam wrapped over it,great stuff!

Macario,I do enjoy sitting in the coldframe/g-house but I think next year I will reduce the overall size to try and reduce energy needs as far as heating goes.Your palms are going to be in perfect shape when they come out in spring and I bet that big sabal surprises you with some serious growth,Good luck! keep me in the loop in regaurd to your spring trip out west,I have really been getting into tree ferns lately so,who knows maybe I'll try and spring for a big one,I've already got 2-D.antarctica2-,C.medullaris and C.australis(last one may be cooperi,either way,its cool with me! 8)

I think with those styroboxes you should be able to keep more leaves on your soon to be new washy,probably grow like mad with a few hot summers,very cool/hot!
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... rfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

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Knnn
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Post by Knnn » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:19 am

Bumping this thread for great content, and for new members who may not have seen it.





Here's my shelter for 2009/2010

And a short video/slide show showing how it was constructed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zfIHf2PNVA



Image







Steve
Last edited by Knnn on Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
<a href="http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/fin ... 2day"><img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Click for Tescott, Kansas Forecast" height="100" width="300" />

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Paul Ont
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Post by Paul Ont » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:28 am

Good idea. I think this weekend or next I'll protect some stuff and I can post pics of some of the different types of protection I use for different plants.

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BILL MA
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Post by BILL MA » Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:05 am

Sounds good Paul,
I might be building a few panel walls this weekend too, might as well be ready. I'll post pictures too.

Bill

ScottyON
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Post by ScottyON » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:38 pm

Sorry I've been lazy posting mine. Not as nice as yours Steve!! I had the heater running a couple of nights last week. This weekend got warm so I have had the door of of it.

Image

ImageImagehttp://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af66 ... 37.jpg[img]

Thanks for looking! [/img]

ScottyON
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Post by ScottyON » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:40 pm

One more...

Image

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BILL MA
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Post by BILL MA » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:55 pm

Looking good Scott! Do your neighbors think your on the pipe or what Scott?

Bill

ronbruce
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Post by ronbruce » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:27 pm

Wow, everyone's protection schemes look great.

It's supposed to get cold later this week and I've yet to figure something out. Go, go, brain!!! :roll:

lucky1
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Post by lucky1 » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:26 pm

Great video Steve, nicely done.

Scotty, looks like it'll do the job nicely.

ronbruce, yup, at this point (-7C 20F), ANYTHING will help, even a tarp.
I posted this somewhere but can't find it, so here it is again.
Threw this together in a hurry, added a 60w trouble light for tonight's cold.

Image

ronbruce, what did you settle on?

I've got birch and maple trees.
Very few leaves are down, some are still GREEN on the trees!
Weird autumn.

Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />


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ronbruce
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Post by ronbruce » Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:30 am

Barb, I keep throwing a garbage can over it but that won't be enough protection I'm sure. I may get wood mulch to stuff into the garbage can as well and maybe that will help.

I planted it so late that I can't expect much. I'll keep the seedlings mulched with leaves.

I put a bottomless pot over the Sabal minor and have mulched around the pot with leaves. I think it doesn't do too well smothered in wet leaves. The Trachies don't seem to mind at all though.

I keep wanting to air things out in the day but as I'm at work maybe it's time to put things to bed for the winter. The forecast says things will be nice again in a few days though so I'm perplexed. :roll:
Last edited by ronbruce on Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

lucky1
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Post by lucky1 » Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:43 am

ronbruce, late plantings are more susceptible to damage because roots haven't had a chance to develop much into the soil.

Without adding heat (like Christmas lights at the least, or a heater) we're asking for trouble.
Leaves and styrofoam have worked well for posters, but they're not removed in daytime.

I've also got the Nainital and Y.rostrata x with just temporary boxes and old carpets over them.
Gonna have to get something more permanent set up soon.

With the warm-up mid-week, we'll have a bit more time it seems.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />


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BILL MA
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Post by BILL MA » Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:09 pm

Ron, if you are going to use wood chips add more oak leaves to the mix if you can. I'm not 100% but I think the leaves work because they still let some light through to the green tissue of the leaves. Wood chips would not allow any light to get in.

Any others on this?

Bill

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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:26 am

I think as long as they are locked down in a leaf pile/cage,lights not a factor.My Needle palm had 18"+ of leaves around it and was fine,definitely no light getting through there.
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... rfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

ronbruce
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Post by ronbruce » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:52 am

Dr. Francko wrote that Sabals fry under heavy wet leaf mulch, mine sure did,
but the Trachies seem to be okay and mine were.

Still I think I may mix leaves and straw together or leaves and woodchips to get
a bit of loft to the mix (and avoid collapse). The air pockets can only
help with insulation I think. :wink:

Believe me oak leaves would be awesome but I'd have to borrow them from a park
or something and they hold onto their leaves forever not dropping till long after I need them.

Hmmmm, that does give me a thought or two. :twisted:

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hilashes
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Post by hilashes » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:22 pm

Happy Thanksgiving all! Here's what I've been working on all day today for my palm protection. I hammered a few stakes in around about a foot out from the tree to wrap burlap around. I sprayed a weather proofing spray onto the outsides of the burlap, the same kind you use for leather jackets or shoes. Treated the leaves, trunk and center spear with fungicidal copper spray. Tied up the fronds. Hammered a couple more stakes in front of the tree for tying on a plastic roof, allowing it to drape down over the burlap. To fasten I stapled the plastic and burlap together. When I look at the finished product, to me it looks as though my 4 yr. old did it ... so ok you can laugh too :lol: .. Everyone here has such great plans for their winter protection, so I hope mine will do the trick even if it's not very sophisticated. :oops: I do thank everyone here though for inspiration and all advice given to me. I'm learning so much from here, you're a great group!
Once the day and/or night temps dip below -5C then I'll wrap the tree in burlap. Until then we're only expecting rain for the next 6 or 7 days with temps in mid to high teens.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/-yY ... directlink

http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/XaF ... directlink

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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:43 am

Maybe I missed something? are you adding leaves inside the protection?
What are your min lows during the winter? If they are 0F 15"(out from the center) of PACKED leaves would be fine,if less 18" plus would be recommended.I did my needle palm that way last year,I wish I would have had an extra thermometer to see what the temp was inside,I will this year.

Here's what I did least year


<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08005.jpg" border="0" alt="Needle palm"></a>

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08008.jpg" border="0" alt="needle palm protection"></a>

UNCOVERED 3-2-09

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... 009002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... 009002.jpg" border="0" alt="burlap/under leaf cage"></a>

THE LEAVES ON TOP WERE KINDA FRIED,THE ONES AT THE BOTTOM WERE FINE
This L/cage bared the brunt of the north wind and several temps below 0F,the lowest was -17F
This cage needed to be about 6" thicker
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... rfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

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Paul Ont
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Post by Paul Ont » Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:35 am

A pictorial will follow this post. Here is a list of the plants I will be overwintering, and the climate in the general area.

Kingston proper is USDA zone 5a, but there are pockets of 5b (long term, with weather data) on nearby islands, and probably downtown as well.
My location is c. 20km north of the city and probably a true 4b. Seasonal weather averages: http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/Displ ... its=metric

This year I have the following plants that are new and/or well out of zone. I will also describe the protection that I think they will need 1) survive and 2) look decent in spring.

Starting with woody plants:

Acubua japonica (z.7): Last year I wrapped them and they survived, but they are smaller this year. I think I will wrap them with frost cloth and give them a few more leaves around the outside to try to retain the foliage.

Asimina triloba (z. 5): One large one that usually gets a bit of tip die-back, 4 newly planted seedlings from a Sarnia area plant. I will give some extra mulch.

Magnolia ashei (z. 6): Heavy mulch and frost cloth wrap.
Magnolia tripetala (z. 4): Heavy mulch and frost cloth wrap.
Magnolia sieboldii (Z. 5): Heavy mulch and frost cloth mulch.
Magnolia virginiana 'Henry Hicks' (z. 6): Heavy mulch and frost cloth mulch. Hoping to have 0 stem tip die back this year.
Ilex glabra (z. 6): Heavy mulch and frost cloth. Hoping for no stem tip die back.
Ilex opaca (z. 5): Hevay mulch and frost cloth. Hoping for no stem tip die-back.
Ilex cornuta 'Burford Holly' (z. 6-7): Heavy mulch and frost cloth. Hope it's alive in spring.
Quercus phellos (z. 5-6): Heavy mulch. Hoping for no die back this year.
Quercus ? (Arizona Evergreen) (z. 6 dry?): Heavy mulch. Hope it survives.
Quercus virginiana x ? (z. 7?): As above!

Rhodo's (z.4-6): Various wind screens. Eventually these will be on their own since I only want them to be background evergreens for mostly fall, winter, and spring interest. So, they don't get much help, since I have no use for these if they can't handle the cold.

Bamboos:
Phyllostachys spp.(z5-7): All will be protected the same way. The rhizome area has been mulched heavily, then, when it gets a little colder, I will bend the stems down to the ground using 'bamboo' stakes (actually Miscanthus stakes, but they serve the same purpose) and let the snow cover them.

Fargesia: Might be more tricky. These are pretty small, but I might not be able to bend them down. IN future they'd be on their own vs. winter, but they are first year plants. Maybe I'll wrap them with frost cloth...

Ground covers (z.7): Will be mulched, the tops will be left to die naturally. They will be mowed in spring to allow new attractive top growth to take over.

Cactus and Succulents


Cacti: None get any protection at all.
Yucca (z. 4-8): Some will be chicken wire to keep the rabbits away.
Agave utahensis ssp. kaibabensis (z. 4 DRY): Some of these will get moisture protection.
Agave americana (Z.7-8): I have one offset that I planted between my palms... This will be protected in the palm house this winter... Wonder if it will make it?

Palms:
Rhapidophyllum hystrix(z.7): One will be in palm house with heat. The other will get mulch and frost cloth again.

Sabal minor (Z.7): One in palm house. The other, a weak McCurtain will get frost cloth and maybe some leaves or something... Not sure, it is only 1 leaf.

Trachycarpus fortunei (z. 8): Frost cloth, mulch, then leaves around the frost cloth. Looking to see if the frost cloth can lessen/eliminate leaf death from sitting in a pile of wet leaves.

Bananas:
Musa basjoo: Burlap wrapped enclosure. Heavy mulch (with pop bottles to ensure that the roots don't freeze). Then c9 lights, and the enclosure will be filled with leaves and topped with frost cloth and some plastic (to exclue a bit of water).
Musa velutina: As above.

Misc.

Gunnera manicata: Burlap wrapped enclosure. Heavy mulching with the leaves used to cover the crown (treated with fungicide). Then the enclosure will be filled with leaves. I'm going to try this without heat. It might be a mistake.


Pictures and plants I forgot to follow:)

Paul

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hilashes
Seedling
Posts: 217
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:28 am
Location: Vancouver, BC, zone 8a/b

my Trachy Fortunei

Post by hilashes » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:03 am

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the helpful pics. I'm in zone 8a where we get mild but wet winters here in Vancouver. Our average monthly lows for Nov, Dec. and Jan. range from 33F to about 37F. Fall to beginning of winter is the rainiest, so right now my main concern is keeping the rain out. I've mulched about 4 - 6" of mushroom manure and large bark nuggets, 6" from the trunk. I have straw to put in the burlap cage if we do expect overnight deep freezes, (if it was anything like our bizarre and unusual winter we had last year where we had 50 cm of snow and 0F in Dec. YIKES!) We're told our forecast this year will be warmer and even wetter than average. I want to be prepared for anything last minute so I have the stakes up and burlap ready to go in case it's the other side of the coin. :wink:

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BILL MA
Large Palm
Posts: 1273
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:25 am
Location: Southern Mass.

Post by BILL MA » Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:03 pm

Impressive list Paul! Wish you the best of luck! I'll be using the frost cloths on my S. Mags as well as I'm sure you know. I'm not sure if you read my post after I email dupont, they say they can stay on until 65 degrees if that helps you any, I'm sure that can be pushed some.

Have you ever considered Tyvek/typar? It's used as a house wrap before siding and it's water proof but also breaths. I'm going to use this on my figs with straw inside. It's expensive but if you know any contractors I'm sure you could get some.

Do you have any plants at your city home?

Bill

ronbruce
Seedling
Posts: 113
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:33 am
Location: Penticton, BC

Post by ronbruce » Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:24 pm

Paul Ont wrote: Rhapidophyllum hystrix(z.7): One will be in palm house with heat. The other will get mulch and frost cloth again.
Trachycarpus fortunei (z. 8): Frost cloth, mulch, then leaves around the frost cloth. Looking to see if the frost cloth can lessen/eliminate leaf death from sitting in a pile of wet leaves.
Paul
Paul, this sounds good. So if I read this correctly sometimes you put mulch around a plant first and then wrap with frost cloth (remay?)
but sometimes the frost cloth comes first to try and eliminate leaf death as you wrote?

Okay I've piled mulch around a lot of my plants only to see now that we've gone back into our normal
pattern of Max 12C/54F and min 3C/37F.

Should I leave off covering things totally until the lows get down into freezing temps consistently again? :?

I look forward to your pictures.

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hardyjim
Palm Grove
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Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:00 pm
Location: Fairfield Iowa 5b

Post by hardyjim » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:13 pm

Hilashes-Got it

Paul-good luck with all your plants,look forward to your pics.

B.T.W. A.americana is hardy to maybe 20F then it starts to turn to a nice jelly!
I may have a pic of mine........Yep.here's what my(these were sold as Parryi-they were not-any decent Parryi can handle -10 to possibly -20F)A.americana looked like after 20-22F
I have a nice one I am considering trying on the same(x-mas lights)life line as my Washy/Butia but I may want to move it so,I may end up digging it up after all.Here's the pics



A.americana after 20F,second pic may be a Blue Tequila agave,I don't think they would have recovered so.I replaced them with Parryi and Havardiana


<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08003.jpg" border="0" alt="2xParryii"></a>



<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... -08004.jpg" border="0" alt="A.tequila"></a>
Last edited by hardyjim on Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Barrie

Post by Barrie » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:41 pm

Nice selection there Paul. I guess I feel lucky looking at your list as Muas velutina would be the only basket case on my list, any of the rest would be a no brainer here. We're largely zone 8b but 8a can visit in exceptional winters such as the last one. We're not without complications, as the vast majority of our rain falls in the Nov - Feb period.
I use an enclosure for my Phoenix canariensis to shelter it from frost and periodic snow. Last year was the first time I used a space heater to assist it along.

Cheers, Barrie.

Image

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BILL MA
Large Palm
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:25 am
Location: Southern Mass.

Post by BILL MA » Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:19 am

Nice Phoenix Barrie! It looks really happy there.

Bill

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hilashes
Seedling
Posts: 217
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:28 am
Location: Vancouver, BC, zone 8a/b

Post by hilashes » Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:16 am

Barrie that's beautiful. What does your shelter look like?
I tied up the fronds on my Trachys and keeping the rain out. Should I be letting them enjoy all the rain until we know a freeze is coming?
~ palms on the Canadian west coast

<a href="http://www.wunderground.com/global/stat ... er01"><img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... /71775.gif" alt="Click for Pitt Meadows, British Columbia Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>

Barrie

Post by Barrie » Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:20 pm

Here's what I've used as shelter for the palm. This pic was taken 3 years ago.

Image

I've never tied up fronds on Trachycarpus and I've never known anyone to do that, at least here anyway.
Rain is good, especially after such a dry summer.

Cheers, Barrie.

ScottyON
Seedling
Posts: 336
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:27 pm
Location: Kingston, Ontario zone 5b

Post by ScottyON » Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:19 pm

Hey Guys,

I have a Magnolia Brakens Brown Beauty. The guy I bought it from in Niagara Falls has a few himself. He doesn't use any protection on them. They have been in the ground for 4 years now. They usually look pretty rough in the spring but bounce back quickly. I hadn't planned on protecting mine at all. Should I be doing something for it?

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