Hey everyone,
I gotta have a little help with this wintering stuff because I'm gonna plant a few palms next spring, most likely a takil and needle palm. First of all what would make this plants rot in the winter? I know moisture is bad but does that mean you can't let the snow cover them or you just can't let the snow melt on them when it warms? Because I know that letting snow fall on them is a good blanket for them and I see pictures of it all the time where the palm is snow covered naturally and it melts and its fine. What will cause the root rot? I wouldn't mind letting the snow cover as a natural way of protecting them in the winter. If I use a roof for it then I'll have to heat it also and I would rather just try covering it with snow. Is it just certain palms that rot like that or all of them? Thanks for any help. The project on palms living in Colorado has really influenced me to just try to let the needle and takil live here even though it gets colder here then colorado but I love dreaming.
http://hometown.aol.com/fitzroya/myhome ... oking.html (heres the colorado site)
Nate
Root rot
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nlafrance3
- Sprout
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:57 pm
- Location: Edm Zone 3A (5a past couple winters)
Drainage my friend. Drainage. Even thirsty plants need to breathe. Almost all potted plants do best with aerated soil even when largely dormant in wintertime. Something not too compacted. As well, excess water needs to go somewhere. If you are planting outside (zone 3?) your best bet is to obtain soil with good drainage qualities for around your new palms. Sand, vermiculite...even screenings can help give the water somewhere to go if you have significant clay so dig a hole large enough to accomodate your pot as well as some extra 'run off'. Remember though, when the warm weather returns to keep an eye on the moisture level in the soil as good drainage means more frequent waterings. Good luck in the spring!