My project
 

here's what I am building to have a protection for my dwarf bananas and priced citrus such as Joe's clemenule.
There will be a clear cover on top and during winter there will be cover on the sides.
I am also planning to add a gas line over for heating.
All the plants will be planted on the ground. It has a measurement now of 13x15x11 (height) but if I can buy another pergola I can double the area.
I just started so it's not finish yet- not yet level or the top is not installed.





Also, Here's my some of my bananas and citrus hiding in my patio. There are some yellow leaves because it's winter and because I made a mistake of cutting the matured leaves of my bananas to protect the p-stem.
As of 1/14/08

Re: My project
 

Soil temperature is a critical factor, and it cannot be controlled by surface heating. If the temperature difference between the air and the underground is too great the plants will become overstressed. The soil is one big heat drain which is accelerated when the soil is moist. Many a citrus tree has died in the local mountains this way. Consider using 65 to 100 gallon tubs for your fruit trees and an 18" high by about 3.5 x 3.5 foot square container for the bananas. You'll need an insultated mat underneath them.

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That should be really nice when it's finished! Be sure to post the finished product.

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Richard Thanks for a good info. What I plan to do is to raise the soil 1 foot adding mulch, sand, compost and steer manure and rototill the whole area. And that is a good idea heating up the soil also during winter.
I've already had some dwarf Brazilian planted on a corner and next to it is a California Gold. I may have a flower come spring time with my dwarf Brazilian.

Brent:
I sure will.
Here's how it looks after I put the top. But Plan to put polycarbonate sheets on top of it later on.

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Day 3
Notice the dwarf Brazilian the taller one and a California gold on the left and some Bicol Calamondin on the right and a at center.
I'll add top soil next.
Notice also that the dwarf Brazilian leaves were fried due to cold temperature but the California gold have 80% of its leaves still green.
Next year they will all be protected.

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I like the pillars! Are you going to build pedestals (brick, stucco, rock, tile) for them? Did you cut the board ends or did they come that way? What will you use on your paths? Will you add removable side panels for the winter to close it into a greenhouse?

...just curious...:nanadrink:

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Great job!

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Microfarmer:
The whole set is a pergolla I bought on sale from Costco for half price. I've been looking for something that will protect my bananas and my delicate plants and that fits the bill. We always have a mild winter here but occasionally the tempts deep down to low 20's 2 to 4 times a year. None this year yet one low at 34. But normally the lows are low to high 40's.
I found out that as long as I have a cover on the canopy the banana leaves stay green all winter long. That's why I am looking now where I can buy clear polycarbonate sheets. If need be I can cover the sides with 6 mil clear plastics.
In the future I may regulate the temperature so I can grow more tropical plants like papaya and atemoya. I have an atemoya planted on the ground there right now and it is not loosing its leaves only the new buds dried out but the matured leaves are still green.
The pergola is 8 feet in height but I jack it up to 11 feet to accommodate my dwarf (future)bananas. I am planning to wrap the pillars the same round diameter with stucco. There will be no paths I plan.
On the 2nd thought , what you are saying is a good idea. Removable panels.
That I will think it over how it can be done. Thanks for the idea.
Do you have any other suggestion?

Thanks Taylor.

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I meant a base for the pillar framed out of wood, a bit larger than the pillar in diameter and square, not round, faced with brick, or stucco, or manufactured stone to provide a foundation for the pillars, not necessarily the columns themselves, stuccoed.

It looks like paths between the raised beds. My mistake.

I was thinking maybe the same poly sheeting stretched on a lightweight redwood frame that hooks to the top beam of the pergola. It'd store nice and flat and go up and down quickly, and you wouldn't have to staple plastic to your uprights.

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All your ideas are really good!
Better than mine. And eaisier to built than what I was thinking.
I think I will adopt to your ideas Microfarmer.
Thanks!

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NP Benny,
This will be cool to see turn out. It's like that want to grow Tomatoes year round...but Musa! Citrus too? Cool...(eating a Tangerine) :)

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Microfarmer:

Here's another great idea of yours.
But I am lost when you say it will go up and down quickly.
My question is do I need fasteners to put it up? And what kind?
Will it be semi-insulated so the heat stays inside the structure?
And last, what' is your idea hooking them up on top of the beam?
Please I need some good ideas.
The structure is all aluminum.

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Taylor:
I've been eating my harvested tangerines for 3 years now and I found out that the longer they grow the sweeter they get. But mostly satsumas.
I am planning to plant Clemenules from Spain in my plot and seedless Kishu my favorites. I will have also one atemoya there.

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great work!!!

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thanks Greenie.

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Baby Blue (Gina) is trying to root me some Satsumas...but it hasn't worked so far :(

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Taylor:
Satsumas are so common here in Calif and can be grafted to other mandarins easily or some other oranges or lemons.
If you want to learn how to graft PM me.

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Ill PM you soon.:)

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I don't think 6 mil polyethylene sheet on frames (or wrapped around the pergola) will do much for holding heat, but only enclose the pergola into a room and keep the wind out. You'd still prolly need to run a heater at night. It won't hold up to a lot of wind either.

For insulated clear polycarbonate panels on a frame you could use something like this... http://www.suntuf.com/images/PDFs/SU...F1200_2-07.pdf

Put a redwood frame around the panels with hooks on top (to attach to the top of the beams) and latches on the bottom (to secure the panels in place).

It should stand up to a pretty stiff wind, depending on the hardware you put it together with. When not in use in summer, the panels would take up a small amount of space in a corner of a shed. The multiwal sheet will insulate very well. Shoot Palram an email, and I'm sure they'd furnish you with a local supplier. This will hold trapped heat much better, and a heater may not be required. It's more upfront cost, but should last a lifetime.

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ThanksMicro.
I just emailed pallram.