wxman 5 Report post Posted March 25, 2013 Ready for another growing season! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bronxboynyc71 39 Report post Posted March 25, 2013 Wow those are beautiful. How big were they when you planted them? Also what protection method did you use, does not look like they suffered any damage over the winter. My name is Robert and I'm new to this. Just planted 3 trachys similar size in the bronx NY. I'm going to need all the help I can get. Thanks in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rafael 429 Report post Posted March 25, 2013 Looking perfect Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hammer 655 Report post Posted March 26, 2013 Wow!!! More pics more pics!!!! Would love to see how you protect them in winter. Whay zone are you in? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WestCoastGal 2,339 Report post Posted March 26, 2013 Wxman, great color and form on those! Trachy right? What kind? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidMac 3 Report post Posted March 26, 2013 Great! You might want to show some pics of your winter protection technique-this should help inspire us who live in much more favorable climates Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alicehunter2000 753 Report post Posted March 30, 2013 Wxman, good to see you posting again.....your climate has got to be the most harsh of anyone else on Palmtalk. You are an extremist.....lol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tassie_Troy1971 1,246 Report post Posted March 30, 2013 Those Trachy's look better than any i have seen here in Tasmania ! Have you tried Chamearops cerifera ? Troy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JEFF IN MODESTO 409 Report post Posted April 1, 2013 No way these palms made it through a Wisconsin winter unprotected. Looks to me that either they were freshly transplanted or something... We don't really want to mislead other palm growers? I'd hate to think hundreds of z4's running out to buy palms only to frozen on an average winter day. Jeff Ready for another growing season! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vari805 209 Report post Posted April 1, 2013 No way these palms made it through a Wisconsin winter unprotected. Looks to me that either they were freshly transplanted or something... We don't really want to mislead other palm growers? I'd hate to think hundreds of z4's running out to buy palms only to frozen on an average winter day. Jeff Ready for another growing season! No way these palms made it through a Wisconsin winter unprotected. Looks to me that either they were freshly transplanted or something... We don't really want to mislead other palm growers? I'd hate to think hundreds of z4's running out to buy palms only to frozen on an average winter day. Jeff Ready for another growing season! Jeff, he builds temporary greenhouse's over each of them, with heaters to get them through winter. I believe he has another thread on the progress. Well done Wxman! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wxman 5 Report post Posted April 7, 2013 To answer some of your questions. I planted the big one as a 3 gallon plant in July of 2008. I planted the smaller one as a 15 gallon in July 2010 (yes the big one was originally the smaller one! Shows you that maybe by planting smaller palms you get quicker establishment). Each winter (around December 1st) I cover them in a box that consists of a 2x2 lumber frame, a plastic covering on the inside and outside of the box and then foam insulation outside of that. The south side is left mostly just with plastic to allow sunlight to enter. I put a small electric heater in each box and set it to 35-40 degrees. Around March 1st (or this darn year March 25th because of the persistent cold weather), I remove the boxes and they enjoy 9 months of fun in the sun. Early April I apply epsom salts to each. I then fertilize with Carl Pool palm fertilizer around Mid May and Early July. To supplement that, I periodically give them liquid shots of miracle gro throughout the growing season. My biggest one put on 2 feet of trunk last summer. Here are some pictures of the protection coming down. I grow other stuff too. My yard looks like this from the street in the summer. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Keith 772 Report post Posted April 7, 2013 Now, in Wisconsin, that is a true tropical oasis. Congratulations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bronxboynyc71 39 Report post Posted April 7, 2013 Wow, thanks for the response. Love your protection method! I'm guessing the windows are to allow for moisture release & temperature control. Definitely going to incorporate some of your methods on my trachys. Have a great growing season, Robert Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JEFF IN MODESTO 409 Report post Posted April 7, 2013 (edited) I am impressed. If I lived in Wisconsin... I would be tempted to do the same! How much extra do you think your electric bill is to keep them heated? Jeff Edited April 7, 2013 by Jeff in Modesto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tampa Scott 526 Report post Posted April 7, 2013 Wow! They look great. I can't even grow one here in Tampa in the ground long term. I have had one in a pot for a few years now. I should ship it up north. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHB1979 273 Report post Posted April 17, 2013 Fantastic work! So cool to see the snow and palm mix. Your bananas look great too. I lived in Iowa for several years, Zone 5, and was growing lots of banana plants. I understand the hard work it is to protect, dig out, store, and monitor is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobchamnan 1 Report post Posted April 19, 2013 Wow, I do admire your effort. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WestCoastGal 2,339 Report post Posted June 15, 2013 Wxman, hadn't checked out your thread in a while and was blown away by the more recent photos of your wintering set up. You are quite the dedicated palm man in Wisconsin. Thanks for describing your wintering routine. I'd love to grow southern Calif palms here where I'm at but don't have the dedication to take all the protection measures it would require. Your palms and yard look fantastic. I love the photo with your daughter BTW. She's really beaming standing next to dad's palm. Is she a palm girl? You must be the talk of the city come spring when all that tropical growth comes out. The musa look wonderful as well. So have you ever been featured in your local newspaper or by your TV station? Can't imagine many having a yard like yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palmy 17 Report post Posted July 8, 2013 That is really impressive.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeeth 2,431 Report post Posted July 8, 2013 Your front yard looks like it could easily be somewhere like South Carolina with all of those tropical-esque plants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tropicdoc 462 Report post Posted July 19, 2013 can't wait to build a box like that around one of my coconuts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve the palmreader 117 Report post Posted July 20, 2013 can't wait to build a box like that around one of my coconuts! I tried coconuts in Jacksonville . Even with protection the died. at 25 .without heat...... good by Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tropicdoc 462 Report post Posted July 22, 2013 Thanks Steve. I figured no lower than 50 for the cocos wxman heats those boxes, doesn't he? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
