Hi everyone, this is my first posting! (scattered applause) I live in Tillsonburg Ontario. Our zone is a 5b but we are within 4 or 5 kilometers of z6a. I'm not terribly familiar with microclimates but I do know that as you travel a few kilometers north of here the precip tends to increase significantly be it snow or rain. I can't count the times we have driven to London Ontario ( a z6a by the way) which is a little north-west of us and been hammered by either rain storms or heavy snow only to drive out of it all as we head back home. Ofcourse I appreciate that precip does not correspond with a climate zone.
We will be heading to Broadway Gardens in St.Catherines tomorrow to ask a bunch of palm questions and generally poke around. I'm interested in growing a Trachy fortunei aor a takil if possible. The consensus from you enthusiasts seems to be-given the choice- that the takil is a little tougher than the fortunei. I've also got my eye set on a needle palm or 2 and what the heck, maybe a trunk developing yucca.
We live in a two story full brick with a nice big wall facing south and a big no-nonsense fence that would sttle down the worst winter blasts. We also have clay. I'd really appreciate any heads up advice for making this work. Because of the late time of year I had no real expectation of planting until the spring but I am trying to learn now as much as possible.
We did, however, order two bamboo plantings from Bamboo Canada a few months ago. I didn't expect much this first year except sulking plants but they've taken right off! I used a tri-mix of organic soil, peat and some kind of garden sand.
One thing I'm trying to understand about palms is that since they essentially keep growing in the winter, albeit a lot slowe, I'm a bit confused on the winter protection. For instance some people say to box a younger planting right up. OK, but what about photosynthesis? Others say wrap it up with landscaping material and then wrap it again with Xmas lights. Same confusion, although it would keep the tree warmer would it not also cut off sunlight? These are some of the items I'm a little confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot for your help people and thanks for having such a dynamite webpage.
More Palms for Ontario? I'll Try!
Moderators: lucky1, Alchris, Kansas, Wes North Van, Laaz
Welcome to the forum! I live in Southern Ontario as well, Toronto to be more precise. I took a road trip down to Broadview gardens in spring and picked me up a good size T. fortunei and a Musa basjoo banana. I was very impressed with there resonible prices and selection of cold hardy tropicals. The fortunei has put out 5 fronds since May and the Musa basjoo is taller then I am.
This is my first year with cold hardy plants. I have decided that I will leave my T. Fortunei in the ground this winter and wrap it up with burlap and flexible roll type insulation and heating cable (in that order) when temperatures dip below -10C. I also purchased a small green house for my palm seedlings and several varieties of bananas. I plan on keeping the greenhouse heated until mid November (give or take).
Hope this helps, and once again, WELCOME!
Cheers. Ryan
This is my first year with cold hardy plants. I have decided that I will leave my T. Fortunei in the ground this winter and wrap it up with burlap and flexible roll type insulation and heating cable (in that order) when temperatures dip below -10C. I also purchased a small green house for my palm seedlings and several varieties of bananas. I plan on keeping the greenhouse heated until mid November (give or take).
Hope this helps, and once again, WELCOME!
Cheers. Ryan
Thanks Ryan I appreciate the guidance. So you're going to wrap it right up for a few months. Again, does this not affect it's sunlight processing? I'm curious about the heating cable too. Could you tell me a bit more about it. As well, will you provide a healthy dollup of mulch around the base? So you're in Toronto. I'm originally from Scarborough wayyy in the east end. I'm impressed by the frond growth of your fortunei and holy smokes the basjoo sounds happy too. How thick can the bamboo culms get?
anschluss,
I will only keep my T. fortunei wrapped when temperatures are below 10C. I am not too concerned about the plant not getting sunlight for a week at a time. When temperatures are that cold there is not much active growth so it does need much energy. The heating cable is your generic water pipe type used to prevent water pipes from freezing. They will produce muh more heat then christmas lights and do not cost much more (except in electricty).
I live in Scarborough by the lake, but of course it is Toronto now.
I am not sure how big your bamboo columns will get since you never stated which types they were. I have a young Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo) grows columns up to about 2.25". I do not expect mine to get that thick since I can not provide it with optimum growing conditions and space.
Hope this help.
I will only keep my T. fortunei wrapped when temperatures are below 10C. I am not too concerned about the plant not getting sunlight for a week at a time. When temperatures are that cold there is not much active growth so it does need much energy. The heating cable is your generic water pipe type used to prevent water pipes from freezing. They will produce muh more heat then christmas lights and do not cost much more (except in electricty).
I live in Scarborough by the lake, but of course it is Toronto now.
I am not sure how big your bamboo columns will get since you never stated which types they were. I have a young Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo) grows columns up to about 2.25". I do not expect mine to get that thick since I can not provide it with optimum growing conditions and space.
Hope this help.
I planted 2 bamboo in the late spring. Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabilis which under best conditions can grow to 26 feet with a 1.5 inch diameter culm. The other is Faresia murielae ( Umbrella bamboo ) which is a clumping type with a potentail of 15 feet and a thinner half inch diameter culm. Again these figures are under great conditions so I don't expect quite that much.
I did however buy my first Trachy fortunei today! At 30% off I decided to buy a 7 gallon palm along with a smaller needle palm. Because of the lateness of the season they won't be planted till the spring so between now and then I'll need to learn a lot. You mentioned that winter protection will be on an as-needed basis for your tree; can I assume you'll just have ground mulch? About what temp will you wrap up and heat?
I did however buy my first Trachy fortunei today! At 30% off I decided to buy a 7 gallon palm along with a smaller needle palm. Because of the lateness of the season they won't be planted till the spring so between now and then I'll need to learn a lot. You mentioned that winter protection will be on an as-needed basis for your tree; can I assume you'll just have ground mulch? About what temp will you wrap up and heat?
anschluss,
Welcome to the forum, nice to see another person from southern Ontario. I live just north of Toronto, about 15 km from the airport. I also went to Broadway in the spring and picked up a T.Fortunei and Needle Palm. However, I won't put them in the ground until next year. I believe that you have the ideal spot in your garden to plant them. Will you try to grow Musa Basjoo? Good luck with your plants and post pictures when you can.
BTW, did Broadway have more 7gal left? and what palms were they?
ryan,
Where did you pick up the heating coils?
Thanks
Phil
Welcome to the forum, nice to see another person from southern Ontario. I live just north of Toronto, about 15 km from the airport. I also went to Broadway in the spring and picked up a T.Fortunei and Needle Palm. However, I won't put them in the ground until next year. I believe that you have the ideal spot in your garden to plant them. Will you try to grow Musa Basjoo? Good luck with your plants and post pictures when you can.
BTW, did Broadway have more 7gal left? and what palms were they?
ryan,
Where did you pick up the heating coils?
Thanks
Phil
Phil,
I purchased the heating cables at home depot. They are located in the plumbing section, but can be tough to find so, it may be best to ask an associate where they are located. The nice thing about heating cables is that they will turn on automatically when the temperature approaches freezing. I'm sure they can be modified to kick in at lower temperatures since some of the palms we try to grow will tolerate freezing temperatures.
I purchased the heating cables at home depot. They are located in the plumbing section, but can be tough to find so, it may be best to ask an associate where they are located. The nice thing about heating cables is that they will turn on automatically when the temperature approaches freezing. I'm sure they can be modified to kick in at lower temperatures since some of the palms we try to grow will tolerate freezing temperatures.
My Musa Basjoos
Hi Guys,
Since we have been talking about Musa Basjoos here are a couple pictures taken in late August.
Here a shot of my small Super Dwarf Cavendish which I will bring in this fall
Since we have been talking about Musa Basjoos here are a couple pictures taken in late August.
Here a shot of my small Super Dwarf Cavendish which I will bring in this fall
Phil,
Holy Smokes!
Your Musa Basjoo's are insane! As to your question about tree stocks at Broadway...their was plenty when I bought mine of both Trachys and Needles. There weren't any Yuccas however. And thanks by the way for the warm welcome, I'm glad to be onboard. Will I try Musas next spring? After those images-you bet! What's the situation of your yard? South or west facing?
Ryan,
You have to show us some Basjoo images! I appreciate your sending me a 'get-the-hell-started' seedling next spring. My wife is already scouting the backyard for the right...no, the perfect spot.
Holy Smokes!
Your Musa Basjoo's are insane! As to your question about tree stocks at Broadway...their was plenty when I bought mine of both Trachys and Needles. There weren't any Yuccas however. And thanks by the way for the warm welcome, I'm glad to be onboard. Will I try Musas next spring? After those images-you bet! What's the situation of your yard? South or west facing? Ryan,
You have to show us some Basjoo images! I appreciate your sending me a 'get-the-hell-started' seedling next spring. My wife is already scouting the backyard for the right...no, the perfect spot.
Great Pics! Are you sure you live in Ontario? lol, I will post my pics at the end of september. We still have several good weeks of growing left (hopefully).
Phil,
Holy Smokes! Your Musa Basjoo's are insane! As to your question about tree stocks at Broadway...their was plenty when I bought mine of both Trachys and Needles. There weren't any Yuccas however. And thanks by the way for the warm welcome, I'm glad to be onboard. Will I try Musas next spring? After those images-you bet! What's the situation of your yard? South or west facing?
Thanks guys for your very nice comments.
ryan, sometimes I get my neighbours guest coming over and asking me are these for real. Most can't believe that they can grow in our climate. I'm sure your pics will be very nice.
anschluss, thanks for the info on the palms. I just might make another trip down there this year. In regards to my backyard, it is south facing and I have my basjoos planted against a south facing wall. This is almost the ideal spot, as it gets most of the days sunshine and warmth of the foundation during the winter.
The only issues I have are,
-They are exposed to westerly winds which at times can will shred if not break some of the larger leaves.
-My wife says it is taking over the patio. Oh well
