Winter Storage Ideas

[JASON M]

Hey guys, I am planning to make a small shed for my palms. I would use some greenhouse window panes, if I can find some. I would insulate with the pink fluffy stuff, and put Christmas lights EVERYWHERE. I might put in a heater, just for the super cold nights. What are some non electric ways to keep it warm in there? Thanks in advance!!

[aztropic]

In Wisconsin? Over the whole winter? FORGET ABOUT IT!

When the sun goes down and no energy is being added,your shed will be the same temp as outside minus the windchill.

Aztropic

[velutina]

If you're building a shed frame, you might as well make it a greenhouse. That way you can use solar heating. Add some 55 gallon drums (or similar) to absorb the heat during the day. They will give off the heat at night.

If you are building a shed, read AZTROPIC's post above..

[JASON M]

Damn! That's expensive!

[JASON M]

Could I put Debby Meyers green bags over the palms?

[velutina]

In zone 5b, you're going to need 20-30 degrees worth of protection for most of the cold-hardy palms. I don't think christmas lights and bags will cut it. Plus, you'll have to worry about the root zone as well (ie keeping it warm and not too wet). Sounds like a lot of work and lots of money for heating. Definitely possible though!

[JASON M]

Ahh, heated blankets wrapped around the pots, then wrapped with normal blankets after Christmas lights wrapped on fronds and soil. Maybe if I get fast growing palms, It wouldn't matter if the leaves fall off, I could have a new crown by mid summer!

[aztropic]

Honestly,it is way cheaper in the long run for you to buy fresh palms that look great each spring and enjoy them all summer and fall rather than trying to overwinter your existing collection in a climate that they are not adapted to.If you are still interested in palms several years down the road,the best advice would be to move to a climate where it is alot easier to grow them.Maintaining them in a northern climate can be an expensive proposition;with the costs far exceding the replacement cost of a fresh plant in the spring.

Aztropic

[velutina]

Electricity is expensive. I protected some palms and bananas using christmas lights. We only had about 6 weeks where the lows were near freezing. I didn't need to heat every night, or during the day since it only got below 32F a handful of times. Even so, I estimate I spent at least $200 worth of electricity. I can't imagine what you would spend in a climate where the winter is longer than 6 weeks and would need protection every night and many days. But I suspect whoever is paying the electric bill would not be happy.

If they are potted, they will do best if brought indoors during the winter.

[JASON M]

The thing is, our house will not have room for the more palms I am getting over the summer!

[AggiePalms]

Jason - I agree with the posts on the problems of keeping the palms alive outdoors, even with shed protection. It would have to be an airtight shed (caulked and sealed) with lots of insulation and supplemental heating, even for the hardiest palms. I can grow the temperate species in the ground, but my tropicals come inside for the winter, near (but not touching) a south or west facing window, preferably in a room with waste heat sources, like a computer etc. Just keep the doors closed so it maintains as high a temp as possible, don't water very much, and they should be ok. I do this even for 6-8 foot specimens, you just need help carrying the big ones inside. Good luck.

[Zeeth]

There's always room. I kept a lot of things indoors during the winter here, as I didn't want them to see temps below 50 their first winter. I've seen the number of palms you have, and as long as you are smart with where you put things, you'll be fine.

[JASON M]

What about a needle palm, how would that do in WI winter?

[Zeeth]

Needle palms are very hardy once established, and may be able to take your winter after a few years in the ground, but, from what I understand, they are subject to rot and spear pull if they haven't had ample time to get established.

[JASON M]

What does establish actually mean?

[Zeeth]

The palm has been growing for a long enough time that the roots have gotten pretty extensive underground and the plant is healthy above ground with a lot of leaves. I'd say that you should see threads on how people in zones like yours protect their plants, and do the same. If you have a needle palm planted, and you provide extensive protection to it, it may eventually survive your winters. I'd say that 10 years would be long enough to be safe.

[RyManUtah]

how big are your palms?

one idea, if they are small, is to put stakes around them. make a "fence" with burlap, and fill it with straw. the straw will trap the heat of the day and keep in inside most the night, assuming it gets hit by sun. also, straw and burlap dry quickly.

[RyManUtah]

also, if you are good at electic wiring and stuff, i have another idea. if you are not, you can always ask for help. i use this to keep my date palm alive in the winter, it's the only one that doesn't like the frost we get here...

make a box out of styrophone and wood (wood just for support, the walls need to be styrophome). it should be at least 6in taller than your palm from the ground. splice a light fixture (the cheap ones like on a garage ceiling) to an outdoor extention chord. put in a energy efficient (squiggly) bulb. here, it provides enough heat inside to keep it in the 40's at night. I unplug it during they day. you could always use more than one light in ur climate! anyway, i got this idea from a gentleman that lives in Logan, UT... which is zone 4, up in the mountains. I will leave you his link to his forum below, if you are interested in reading of this design further. Best wishes!

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg0911185725730.html

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg042036128491.html

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