What kind of heater and thermostat do we need in our 10 x 20 greenhouse to keep our Fan Palms thriving in Western Kentucky?

[Fan Palms in Western KY]

We just built our inground pool this summer.  We had 3 Fan Palms shipped from FL to KY. Planted them in sand and they have grown and look great.  Our winters can get to 0 degrees F. My husband built a 10 x 20 greenhouse to protect the Fan Palms until spring when we will take back to the sand around the pool.   

What kind of heater/thermostat do we need to purchase, to keep the temperature at 60 degrees during the colder months - not to dry out the fronds - and to be safe?

How often should I water the Fan Palms while in the greenhouse?  What method of watering - misting just the fronds, or include the base also? 

 

[SeanK]

For a thermostat, try 

amleo.com or GreenhouseMegastore.com

and type thermostat into the search bar. I would set one to 40°F so heat starts before it goes below freezing.

Post a photo so we can see what type of palm you have.

[Darold Petty]

You would need to consider the heat loss through the greenhouse walls and roof to accurately design the heat system.  I concur that 60 F overnight is excessive and that above freezing would be sufficient,   For irrigation, keep the potting medium just  damp, reducing  the water application during colder weather.

(60F is recommended for Cattleya orchids ! )   I keep my 10x20  insulated greenhouse at 50F overnight, with one electric 1500 watt  230V baseboard heater.  My thermostat is  Peco # TF 115-001 Part # 4E636, purchased through Grainger.  Be sure to use a thermostat with a Nema 4x rating for water resistance.

  Installation of this thermostat and 230V heater is NOT a handyman project.

Welcome to  Palmtalk !