Hello,
Long time reader, first time poster.
I am new to cold hardy palm cultivation. I also admit I am in serious zone denial living here in zone 5. Anyway, I am building a new home in Central, PA next year and plan on planting some of my cold hardy palms outside. I have the opportunity to create micro-climates within the home area and would like to get some ideas on how I can create the best micro possible. The site has a 15' high bank with southern exposure on the slope. There is a slight curve to the bank that gives it protection from cold wnw or nw winds also. There are also a few larger shade trees in close proximation to the house. I also will have hot water radiant heat installed in the house and was wondering if running a n under ground piping system through the planting beds would have any benefit.
My current palm collection consists of needle, sabal minor, sabal riverside, sabal x texensis, trachy fourtunei from washington state, trachy wagnerianus, and washingtonia filifera. All of these are 2-3 years away from seeing the real world.
thank you in advance for your time,
Cali
Creating micro-climates
Moderators: lucky1, Alchris, Kansas, Wes North Van, Laaz
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DesertZone
- Palm Grove
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- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 5:40 pm
- Location: South Central Idaho 5b
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Welcome 
Sounds like a nice thought out micro-climate. I think it will work
Sounds like a nice thought out micro-climate. I think it will work
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
Here's to all the global warming pushers, may your winters be -30 below and four feet of snow in your driveway. Because I want you happy.
-Aaron-
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
Here's to all the global warming pushers, may your winters be -30 below and four feet of snow in your driveway. Because I want you happy.
-Aaron-
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Wes North Van
- Moderator
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micro climate
You are on the right track. I would do all of the above and plant the palms as close to the house as possible. On the coldest nights protect the centre spear also.
Wes North Vancouver Zone 8b/9a
Keats Island BC Zone 8a
Palm Springs CA Zone 9b/10a
Keats Island BC Zone 8a
Palm Springs CA Zone 9b/10a
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Cali-wanna-b
- Seedling
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- Location: Central, PA
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Okanagan desert-palms
- Clumping Palm
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Inovative thinking
Welcome Cali me thinks you are on to something with the piping system very good idea and maybe alot cheaper than electric heat for the ground.
John
John
Okanagan Palms and Tropicals
6b-7a
6b-7a
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Cali-wanna-b
- Seedling
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- Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:29 pm
- Location: Central, PA
Okanagan
I work construction for a living and have seen simular systems installed in concrete sidewalks to melt snow and ice. From what I am told 120F degree water, 4" under concrete creates a 50F plus or minus surface temperature. If anyone has any info to add to hot water under ground heating please feel free to respond. This winter I will be doing a little leg work and take some readings at various distances from the pipes.
I work construction for a living and have seen simular systems installed in concrete sidewalks to melt snow and ice. From what I am told 120F degree water, 4" under concrete creates a 50F plus or minus surface temperature. If anyone has any info to add to hot water under ground heating please feel free to respond. This winter I will be doing a little leg work and take some readings at various distances from the pipes.
