Mid-Winter Update with Pics!

[wxman]

For the first time since Christmas, our temperature has poked above freezing. Currently 34.2F outside. Decided to go take a look at my palms outside to see how they are doing. The boxes are kept warm with a space heater set on the low setting at 45F. Heater seems to run 20-30 seconds on, 5-10 minutes off. Electric bill seems unaffected. Much better protection method than Christmas lights and heat lamps running wild like I had last winter. No need to have palms at 60-65F when its 30F outside (but I needed that 30-35F gain for the 0F nights).

Took the lids off today for awhile to let the moisture escape. Here are some pictures.

Trachycarpus Fortunei:



Washingtonia Robusta:



Little over two months to go and they can be free again, maybe earlier for the trachy. This will be their third summer in the ground, so I'm hoping for a leap year! Last year the robusta put out 10 fronds and the trachy put out 6.

[TerdalFarm]

Your Trachy looks MUCH better than mine (I'll try to get a photo up soon, but it'll be sad).
My wife's Washy looks as good as yours--because it is in the dining room.
--Erik

[Mark]

Those look great Wxman!

Good job!

Nice to finally have a break from the cold.

Mark

[TerdalFarm]

Here is why you went to the trouble to heat your Trachy:

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eJ ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_r-MvN4jW1sE/S1EhS ... GP1060.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/terdalfarm/ ... ite">Palms in January 2010</a></td></tr></table>


I just wrapped the trunk well. Although it "only" got down to 3 oF, it suffered lots of wind. If it makes it, I may follow your example for next winter.
--Erik

[lucky1]

Great results.

So you figure the space heater is cheaper than Christmas lights?
I haven't got my elec bill yet, was wondering about that.

10 fronds! 6 fronds! Gotta be a record.

Have any of your palm seeds popped yet?
Barb

[wxman]

Great results.

So you figure the space heater is cheaper than Christmas lights?
I haven't got my elec bill yet, was wondering about that.

10 fronds! 6 fronds! Gotta be a record.

Have any of your palm seeds popped yet?
Barb

Seeds all rotted. I think I must stick to plants! And yes space heaters I think are cheaper because they aren't on 24/7 like lights are.

[lucky1]

Seeds all rotted

Damn!

space heaters I think are cheaper because they aren't on 24/7 like lights are

Twenty 5 watt bulbs is only 100 watts.
My space heater is 1200 watts.

Don't know how long heater is on, guess I'll find out when bill comes!
Barb

[ScottyON]

So far my heating bill has gone up about $5 per month to heat my palm hut. The heater stays on for about 10 minutes then shuts off for over a half an hour. During the day, if it's sunny it barely runs at all. I am really loving this method of protection!

[TerdalFarm]

That is much less expensive than treating palms like annuals, which I sometimes feel I am doing (e.g., the two nice Washy's I killed last year).

[lucky1]

The thermostat will keep enclosure from overheating.
Love the heater!
Barb

[Wes North Van]

wxman your palms look really healthy.
Congrats.