using 4X4's already in yard for vine trellis.....

here's the pvc structure...will update final version today....

even though the structure I've built has many openings and allowances for wind to get through (so as not to allow lift to tear it apart)...this simple and relatively cheap house is DOING THE JOB !!

We have been having 6-8 hours of mid to low 20's these past 2 nights, BUT inside the Cherimoyas are happy !! They have been kept 8-10 degree F higher than the outside.... I'm glad to get the helpful hint to set the themostat @ 34F, that has allowed to start the heaters earlier and keep them cycling more often (maybe continously).

I was amazed how the temps stay up inside...with only 6 mil plastic protecting the heat. Alot to be said for the air mass inside the house.

I want to thank all of you for the help I gained by the examples you posted and talked about here. Also, my Cherimoyas want to THANK YOU !

EZ:
Thanks for the cherimoya plant you gave me at the scion exchange yesterday and thanks for the good advice how to take care of it.
I tasted your melogold and they are so good to eat. I might graft some more of your melogold to my chandler because of it.

Benny.

I appreciated your input how to put Oro onto Chandler....I will overgraft most of my Chandler with Oroblanco also in the spring.....I'm glad you enjoyed the fruit.

Although my melogold is about three times bigger, they are not as sweet as yours EZ!

Thanks for the cherimoya, the citrus fruits, and the specially requested budwoods!

ez$$:

The low temperature here was -1 Centigrade (30 F).
My Elixer Cherimoya seems to have dropped all of its
growing tips. You know, those little leaves that hang
down at the tips of branches.

Do you see similar damage to your Cherimoya?
Perhaps you kept your improvised greenhouse just
above the damaging threshold.

tomm- today I did notice some difference in my Cherimoyas. I have 2 "groves" of 5-6 trees each...The "old grove" has trees that have been in-ground for the past 3 winters....The "new grove" has trees that were just put in the spring of 2006...so this is their first winter here in Livermore. The new grove fared alot worse than the old grove. Old grove, not a leave was messed...The new grove has some cultivars that the leaves are pretty mucked up...Elixer and El Bumpo did not do well....Since the spacing and construction of the 2 greenhouses is pretty identicle, and I have temperature measured real time in each...I didn't see anything different except the tree varieties and the number of winters in the ground. (and therefore age of trees)...The younger, less established trees are having a harder time with this sever cold for last 3-4 days in a row....In fact, the tips and upper limbs of new grove look better than the lower limbs and leaves...I don't know if there's a temperature grqadient, or what....In the new grove there are 2 varieties that are supposed to do better with cold : Deliciousa and Selma.....and they are doing much better than El Bump and Elixer. Will let you know how they make out after the next 1-2 weeks.

EZ, so glad you made your Cherimoya greenhouse in time for the frost. You saved those babies! Are the ones Igave you, in ground in old "grove "?
How'd your citrus do?

Patty- yes..the 2 Cherimoya's I got imported from Wisconsin are in Old Grove. They are thriving nicely....probably because you weathered them nicely in Cheesetown USA ! I'm checking trees in New Grove, and unfortunately they were not as weathered (this being their first winter in Livermore, and such a rude awaking at that). They all still showing signs of green....BUT let's wait and see in a couple months.

The citrus are fine....except the Thai Lime (Kaffir) it is suffering alot of leaf drop..The wood looks fine...I don't wish it to die, but I have some nice candidates ready ti take it's place (just in case)....

What's the real story with Brett Farve ? Is he coming back for another season ???? Get us some "scoopage" !!

Those cherimoyas could not have a better home!
No scoopage on Favre, but I think he'll leave. Local news tried to interview him after last game, & he wouldn't talk. He just left the field with tears down his cheeks. I take that as a sign.
I'm not much of a packer fan (unles they're in superbowl or play against bears LOL) but I really like Favre...great quarterback & a truly NICE guy.
Reggie White anounced his retirement but came back for 1 more year so who knows.

well, Patty...you were a bit off..Farve is BACK !!!

I hope it's gonna be (your)Packers vs. (my)Steelers in Super Bowl next year !!
If so, you and I could wager some serious citrus on the outcome...

Yup, my intuitions were wrong this time. I posted somewhere here that he announced another season of playing few days ago..
Packers & Steelers next yr!? As in Pittsburgh? You from there? It would be great if Packers get in Superbowl.
My favorite commercial was the rabbit 'dragging' the mouse, & the Rock, Paper, Scissors, over a beer.

The older grove of Cherimoya's came through just fine :




The younger grove suffered some severe leaf loss, and some wood damage. Let's see how they come back in April :

Hope that younger grove comes back! The ones in older grove look great, but how come they aren't shedding leaves? I thought they are s'posed to by now. I've been picking away at some, but one is as green and healthy as in summer

patty- last year the leaves starting coming off in March....then new growth started in April....If the leaves don't want to come off...just let them be.
I have these seedlings in the garage, and they don't know what they want to do....They've shed leaves, started new ones, shed them...and are in holding pattern now.....Given this year...I think I'll plant out a couple of them, and keep raising some in bigger pots....To brave the winter here, the trees need some girth !! To brave YOUR winter, you need a TON OF GIRTH.....LOL.....

Speaking of Cherimoya, They are now in the markets here....I had 2 already this week, and I got one in the fridge now....They are quite expensive....$7/lb at Safeway..but I get'em at smaller markets for ONLY $5/lb.