Christmas update 2013

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:33 pm

Beautiful sabals!!!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:36 pm

4F = -15C

they ought to all be able to take that for a short period.
Success will be if they were super dry prior to the cold arriving, i.e. no hail/rain in the spears.

Bravo on the microclimate plantings.

Barb

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:50 pm

Thanks guys/gals

Barb, we had rain all day sunday. By no means were any palms dry in the spears. They will have a full 48 hrs below freezing , 12 hrs today in single digits with only tarps wrapped around the trunks to block wind. I wish I got home before dark to get a better look, but that will have to wait till Sat.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:01 pm

Poop, that's not good, Chad.
If only there'd been a "hat" on 'em (like a little plastic parachute) to keep water out of the spear.

Fingers crossed you've got an earlier warm-up than forecasted.

Barb

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:55 pm

Got my fingers crossed, but you know rain wasn't in the forcast either. But they are starting to reach over the top of the house, and had to get tested sooner or later.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:05 pm

starting to reach over the top of the house

yeah, you've hit on the 2 stages of a northern palm grower.

1. first few years: will they survive?
2: as palms approach the roof: now what?

I think yours will be fine Chad, with some warmish sunny days coming up.

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:21 pm

I agree Barb, growing windmills should not be tricky here. Now when my sabals get that tall, lets truly hope they are hardy to single digits.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:15 am

Lots of people feel Sabals are hardier than Windmills, dependent on the seed source.
I think they're right.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:17 am

Now when my sabals get that tall, lets truly hope they are hardy to single digits.

We'll be finding out this spring won't we!

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:37 am

I agree with Barb. As long as you leave the Boot Jacks on those Sabals, that should help them for sure. That's why I have the Sabal, I prefer the look overall. I may try a Windmill this spring...

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 11:29 am

Sabals have to be my favorite palm. If my boots fall off you better believe I will be getting out the liquid nails.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 11:56 am

Boots?

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:26 pm

Boots man!

The bottom part of the frond that is left after trimming. On sabals makes the nice cross pattern up the trunks.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:27 pm

Oh, those. I thought you meant some kind of wrap or protection at the base of the palm. lol

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 6:09 pm

Well it is a kind of protection, it gives you somewhere to hang the Christmas lights.