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The tale of unprotected young trachys

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:41 pm
by wxman
I scattered these trachy seeds in the far reaches of my backyard in late fall 2012. Last summer they germinated and grew one strap leaf each before winter set it. I did nothing to protect them going into winter. No extra mulch, no leaves, definitely no heat. I only let them have what mother nature decided to deposit on top of them -- as if they were alone in the woods and on their own. Unfortunately their first true winter alive would prove to be the coldest winter in the last 30 years. The average highs and lows were as follows:

Nov 2013: 44.0 / 29.8
Dec 2013: 28.7 / 13.2
Jan 2014: 22.7 / 5.5
Feb 2014: 23.9 / 9.0
Mar 2014: 36.7 / 21.2

The ground froze at least 3 feet down -- solid! I would assume it was frozen from late November until late March. But, after winters grasp withered away, I was astounded to see these guys looking back at me -- saying "is that all you got?"

Here are pictures for proof of their existence.

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Let's see how long they can keep partying in my backyard.

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:21 am
by Brooklands
That's pretty amazing.

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:59 pm
by sashaeffer
Wow....almost makes me want to buy some seeds and try it here!

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 6:43 pm
by Beny
Wow, maybe we re about to create a new species of Trachy, who will be more resistant to our winter. Only the future will tell :D ...

Ben

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 6:55 pm
by pitotes
Where did.you get seeds from

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 6:34 pm
by wxman
pitotes wrote:Where did.you get seeds from
I got them from a guy in Tennessee.

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:22 am
by Zabola
actually small trachies like theese do not need protection, just a 10-20cm of snow for a better insulation :mrgreen:

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:01 pm
by hardyjim
Party is over this winter if the meristem gets above ground....

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:42 pm
by Zabola
I think they stand a chance..

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:34 am
by TerdalFarm
Nice experiment! I would not have predicted that. Keep it going.

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:35 am
by sashaeffer
What time of the year did you throw them on the ground?

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:42 pm
by wxman
I spread the seeds in late November.

And what does it matter if the meristem is above or below ground? The ground was frozen SOLID down 3 feet last winter. I don't think location would change the fate of the trees in that condition.