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Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Lloyd IA on August 2, 2024, 1:20 am This Sabal minor decided to send up an inflorescence this year. It is actually looking pretty good after making it through a -22 (-30C) winter with just heavy mulch and heaping snow on top during the coldest weeks.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Fred SC on August 2, 2024, 6:39 am, in reply to "Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Congrats,Lloyd, on getting a Sabal minor to grow and bloom. It is quite the accomplishment. Also, that is a good looking Sable. Enjoyed seeing your post.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Alvin, z6 on August 2, 2024, 9:35 pm, in reply to "Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Lloyd, that is SUPER COOL! Wow. What type mulch did you use? Any pics of of the palm, under cover?

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Lloyd IA on August 4, 2024, 1:11 am, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Alvin, The winter picture doesn't show much, just a pile of snow. This was taken on January 14 when our overnight low was -20f and daily high was -10f. The protection was not added until after it was cold enough for the ground to freeze so the rodents should have already chosen their winter homes. I had picked up a bunch of bags of lava rock in thick plastic bags when the local farm store was deeply discounting them at the end of the season. I stacked these up around the base of the palms for insulation. Prior to throwing snow on top I set either an empty cattle mineral tub or ice chest over the tops of the plants above the mulch so the leaves would not get crushed. A thick layer of pine bark on the ground too.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Lloyd IA on August 4, 2024, 1:12 am, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Thanks Fred

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Lloyd IA on August 4, 2024, 1:19 am, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Found this picture taken in early January when we added some old styrofoam chests over the top of the mulch bags for the upcoming subzero weather.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Alvin, z6 on August 4, 2024, 12:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Never heard of using bags of lava rock, as part of plant protection, Lloyd, but if it helps get plants through winter, with little, or no damage, then it works. In addition, unopened bags of fork could be reused in multiple years, eliminating an every year expense. Thanks. . Good job. I'll keep that in mind, going forward.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Lloyd IA on August 4, 2024, 1:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" I use some of the lava rock deep in my arid berm mix to hold a bit of moisture and nutrients. The reason I am using it for mulch left in bags: -It is very cheap at the end of the season. -It does not attract rodents. -The bags don't freeze solid like most mulch, so it can still form to shape even when using them in the cold. -The half cubic foot bags are very light. -This is smaller size (1"-2") and all the air spaces between the rocks and within the rocks aid in insulation. I suspect it insulates better than most organic mulches where the moisture freezes solid and all the air pockets are filled. -The bags on this brand are very thick and will last for years.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Alvin, z6 on August 4, 2024, 6:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Yeah, too, leaf mulches can get soggy over a "winter wet" winter, and cause rot. Straw mulch can also get wet, but usually not to the degree leaves will. Rocks, like concrete, tend to hold heat in, too, near plants. Great idea, Lloyd.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Jason Western PA on August 4, 2024, 7:32 pm, in reply to "Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Looks great! Hope you get seeds. Mine flowered but not sure I'll get seeds.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Lloyd IA on August 4, 2024, 11:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa" I don't know if they are self fertile, or if we have enough time before a freeze to mature the seeds. Fun to see though.

Re: Palm blooming in NW Iowa Posted by Rob N TN on August 9, 2024, 9:11 pm, in reply to "Palm blooming in NW Iowa" Amazing and beautiful Lloyd. I think they are hardier than Needle Palm

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