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Mulch or no?


kbob11

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Hi everyone,

    I was just wondering if I should mulch around the base of my windmill palm?  I have it under a box with a heat source.  If I don’t mulch wouldn’t the heat be able to keep the ground thawed? 

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21 minutes ago, kbob11 said:

Hi everyone,

    I was just wondering if I should mulch around the base of my windmill palm?  I have it under a box with a heat source.  If I don’t mulch wouldn’t the heat be able to keep the ground thawed? 

I would. 

 

BTW I grew up just outside of Worcester , right off of 495/Rt 2;)

Edited by RJ
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1 minute ago, kbob11 said:

@RJ  Winter has come early up here.  We just tied the record low today 15f.  Got the palm bug tho =p

Yes I watch the weather up there still. My folks and my 3 brothers are still in the greater Worcester area. One is outside Concord, NH. I went to college further north in New England and lived up there for many years. Finally got sick of the cold and out of control high taxes. 

I would certainly pile some mulch around the base. Ground frost tends to go mostly vertical in direction without too much lateral movement, at least in my experience. If you can keep the roots from freezing that would be a big plus. 

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Yes, I definitely mulch. Give it a good soaking before a cold spell. The mulch will help retain moisture which will function as an insulator (when water freezes, it will release some heat). Should give you a few extra degrees. 
:)

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There's not really a need to mulch when you are able to regulate the temperature inside the box.  No mulch makes it easier to see if the ground is too dry or too wet.  A moderate layer of mulch will keep the ground temperature colder.  Do you have a ceramic socket and reflector for your heat emitter so you can direct the heat upward?

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Just a thought that may not be apt: Many palm lovers in Europe lay heating cables around the perimeters of their planted palms to combat ground freeze. They do that even when they erect protective structures to provide critical protection to root areas.

Meg

Palms of Victory I shall wear

Cape Coral (It's Just Paradise)
Florida
Zone 10A on the Isabelle Canal
Elevation: 15 feet

I'd like to be under the sea in an octopus' garden in the shade.

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@PalmatierMeg @Steve in Florida  Should I be watering my palm throughout the winter?  My 3x3’ box is set at a constant 40f but I wasn’t sure about frozen roots way down under the surface.  Would the melting snow around the box be enough or would I be okay watering during warm spells?

Also yes I do have a ceramic socket and reflector but it is pointed downward towards the trunk.

Edited by kbob11
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Ideally it's best to water it in the week before covering it.  That way you know it has moisture down through the rootball.  After it's covered just keep it slightly moist.  It's likely you won't have to water it for several months or until you see spring-like temperatures. 

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