Sorry for all the questions on winterizing lately, just trying to think ahead and keep as much out of the GH as I can.
I have two of these currently sunk in the ground I believe in 10" or 12" pots. They grew quite large this summer (compared to when I got them at Lowes in the Spring) and I had no idea they could withstand such cold weather.
So now I'm wondering... could I pull them from their pots and plant them in the ground? They are sorta beneath our deck (between the beams) at the rear of the house and get a lot of protection from the sun and elements in general (including frost I suspect).
What do you all think? I was planning to pull them up (probably ripping off roots I'm sure judging by their sizes) and storing them in the GH, but if I can plan them... might as well.
We're still in the mid to upper 80's during the day right now, and lows are in the 60's usually... 50's at night occasionally. Shouldn't get real cold until late November.
-John
This message was edited Oct 2, 2007 2:50 PM
Another winter question. Australian Tree Fern's.
Mine died when I left it in the ground over the winter and it was in a very protected spot. We got to 17 degrees about 5 times and it was mulched and even more protection than that on the coldest nights, and it had been planted all summer-so somewhat established.
You are a bit warmer than me, so it might do better for you, but if you left it outside, I would leave them in the pots right where you have them-don't rip the roots now and replant. Be prepared to maybe do some extra protection besides mulch if the weather drops near 20(?-guessing on that number). Or you could bring one in and leave one out.
Thanks. I might try the half and half method you suggested. I can always get another next year.
I've read a lot of mixed reviews on leaving them out. Some folks swear you can and others say you can't. Better safe than sorry I suppose.
I think you will be fine to plant it, but I would have done it a bit earlier to give them longer to adjust.
Mine survived a hard freeze last year...but that was 28F and not 17F, and then it's not freezing more than a few hours.
When the forecast is below freezing..I cover it..and if I think it's going to be an issue, I have a heating pad I put on the root area...
I put some pictures here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/775290/
RJ
Thanks. I might just hold them out this year and then plant them next spring. I'll go ahead and just move them up a pot size for winter growth.