blondboy----How do you protect a 7 foot tall palm? gregsytch---actually the filiferas are more hardy than the robustas,most of the robustas people have planted have died here in Albuquerque,while the filiferas survived our record breaking snow,all of the palms were unprotected and in zone 7b. blondboy-watch out for that robusta,the ones that died here in Albuquerque had been there for a few years and were about 10 to 15ft tall.I guess all it takes is a week of 20+ inches of snow and freezing temps to take them out.I can only imagine what the winters look like in ON,Canada.That was a rare snow storm we had and Albuquerque had never seen that much snow before since records had been kept.So hopefully we'll never see it again, although its 101 degrees today my robusta will bake in the sun then I will take it back to Lowe's and buy a windmill.

I moved it today, it is in the garden area next to the house now facing East/Southeast. The south side of our house is too shady for most plants including the palm. I dug a huge hole and filled it with at least 6 inches of sand. I mixed Dr. Earth organic palm fertilizer into some potting soil and I think that will make a really big difference as well. If we have a winter like last year, I won't have to worry about the temperature too much. It has practically been spring since November! No snow at all! And I don't think the temps dropped below 19 or 20 degrees (I am a weather geek too). Now the palm is next to the walkway, also visible from the office window which is really nice. It also looks way bigger because I am seeing it up close rather than from a distance. I think it has a better chance now, and I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it being so much closer to us! Thanks for your help, I will come back to let you know how it is doing. Maybe even post a picture! Becky

It should be fine

I have no experience growing Chamaerops from seed, but I don't think bottom heat would hurt--especially as we are in the winter months. Although Mediterranean (rather than tropical in origin), they should be encouraged by soil temps between 80 and 95 F.. Be careful to keep the soil medium only slightly moist. Good luck!