Ice Ice Baby... Preparing

[Dartolution]

Funny Title, but no laughing for those out in Texas and the surrounding areas being hit by some extreme winter chaos. 

Alabama is in a very interesting spot for this winter storm, half of the state being in a winter storm warning, and half either having no impact, or flooding. 

I am 1 single county away from the winter storm WATCH with the possibility of freezing rain, and a predicted (and I cant stress "predicted" enough because of how much its changed) of 18F. 

So, in order to prepare the best I can, I wrapped what I could, and stuffed frost cloth into the crowns of the Chamaerops Palms. 

 

Mind you -  you do NOT KNOW PAIN until you've attempted to shove frost cloth into the crown of a Mediterranean Fan Palm... 

 

Here is the queen wrapped up and chopped in half with mini lights inside, 2 layers of burlap, a heat cable at the base, and 2 layers or more of heavy dewitt frost cloth. 

This queen has been uncovered since late December, and has endured 24F and freezing fog, however freezing rain and 18F might push it a little much... She looks like hell as it is. 

 

 

Next up is the Butia. Heat cable wrapped around its base and into the crown, frost cloth wrapped heavily around the base and into the crown, and 2 more layers of frost cloth on top to keep it dry. 

 

 

The Sabal Blackburniana or whatever it is has gone through the same as the queen, down to 19F however, and freezing fog, but better safe than sorry right?

Frost cloth wrap and into the crown, then 2 layers on the outside to keep it dry. 

 

Lastly are the 2 larger Med Fan's. 

The smallest will remain unprotected completely. Mostly, because I don't have anymore material, but also testing the limits of these in particular. 

One basically got a scarf with frost cloth in the crown and over the spears, and the other got only some frost cloth in the crown. BOTH have heat cables wrapped around the trunks/bases and surrounding soil. 

Seriously, how does one wrap a chammie without mutilating yourself? LOL! 

 

 

I know a lot of people are far worse off than possible freezing rain and 18F I wanted to share what I'm trying to do here just to get through this nasty event. 

Other than this, I haven't had to do anything to any of these except the queen this entire winter. 

 

 

[Allen]

Looks good.  Hopefully 18 won't hit you too hard but ice can wreck loads of damage if it's heavy.   

[PalmatierMeg]

Good work. Sending best wishes your way.

[Dartolution]

Thanks @Allen and @PalmatierMeg. I don't think we will get hit, but because of how many changes they have made to the predicted forecast I figured it would be worth taking 30 mins and trying just in case. 

 

[Swolte]

3 hours ago, Dartolution said:

Mind you -  you do NOT KNOW PAIN until you've attempted to shove frost cloth into the crown of a Mediterranean Fan Palm... 

Can confirm...

Man, so sorry to see you may get hit by this monster too. Hope it blows past you!

~ S

[Dartolution]

@Swolte We aren't supposed to get hit like you guys by any means, and like I said, Im 1 county away from the WATCH not the warning, but its Alabama, and just because they say that doesn't mean that will really be what happens. 

Whats happening in TX is unreal. 

[JohnAndSancho]

Good vibes. I'm gonna stop, collaborate and listen. 

[Dartolution]

Woke up to 16F this morning and snowing. 

 

Snowy Palm Pictures:

 

The smallest of the Chamaerops wasn't protected. This is what some of the fronds look like after 16F (still only 20F):

 

 

 Hopefully this won't last!

 

[NOT A TA]

Too cold, Too cold.  Hope it warms up quick for all those involved.

@Dartolution hopefully your pain will have been worth it.

[GregVirginia7]

7 hours ago, Dartolution said:

Woke up to 16F this morning and snowing. 

 

Snowy Palm Pictures:

 

The smallest of the Chamaerops wasn't protected. This is what some of the fronds look like after 16F (still only 20F):

 

 

 Hopefully this won't last!

 

Your Chamaerops has a much more defined region between the light green and the dark...given the 16 degree temp. guess one can assume damage? My Trachy and Needles were under ice Saturday and they developed (as they always have) dark and light striping on their segments...

Both palms were back to their uniform green color after the temps rose above freezing and the ice melted...hopefully, yours is just a more extreme version of the same and recover.