Wind Chill effects on tropicals

[SunnyFl]

Here is a question I haven't seen info on: is the effect of wind chill on cold-sensitive plants comparable to the effect of cold? For instance, if a palm fries at 30, and the temp is well above that but the wind chill is around 30, will the palm be just as damaged? What has been your experience?

[Zeeth]

Here is a question I haven't seen info on: is the effect of wind chill on cold-sensitive plants comparable to the effect of cold? For instance, if a palm fries at 30, and the temp is well above that but the wind chill is around 30, will the palm be just as damaged? What has been your experience?

The only reason wind chill effects humans is that it strips our bodies of heat that "sticks" to the body. This effect wouldn't happen on plants, so there wouldn't be a wind chill for plants. Wind also sometimes helps keep frost from forming.

The wind can be desiccating though, which can cause damage, so keep that in mind.

I guess you saw the wind chill advisory too?

[_Keith]

Zeeth got it. No effect temperature wise, but the dessicating effect of the wind is another matter.

[SunnyFl]

The only reason wind chill effects humans is that it strips our bodies of heat that "sticks" to the body. This effect wouldn't happen on plants, so there wouldn't be a wind chill for plants. Wind also sometimes helps keep frost from forming.

The wind can be desiccating though, which can cause damage, so keep that in mind.

Thanks for posting that - I never thought of the heat "sticking" to the body, but it makes a lot of sense. And the reminder about how drying the wind can be. Do either of you cover your plants for wind chill in the absence of a freeze?

I guess you saw the wind chill advisory too?

Yup - posted part of it in the December wx thread. We're bringing in our favorite crotons and the baby palmies. C. renda will be spending the night indoors as well.

The forecast temps wouldn't kill the crotons, but it's really bad for them. A lot of us crotonheads lost quite a number of our plants last year - not to freezing temps - but just because of the protracted chill.

Edited December 29, 2009 by SunnyFl

[Zeeth]

The only reason wind chill effects humans is that it strips our bodies of heat that "sticks" to the body. This effect wouldn't happen on plants, so there wouldn't be a wind chill for plants. Wind also sometimes helps keep frost from forming.

The wind can be desiccating though, which can cause damage, so keep that in mind.

Thanks for posting that - I never thought of the heat "sticking" to the body, but it makes a lot of sense. And the reminder about how drying the wind can be. Do either of you cover your plants for wind chill in the absence of a freeze?

I guess you saw the wind chill advisory too?

Yup - posted part of it in the December wx thread. We're bringing in our favorite crotons and the baby palmies. C. renda will be spending the night indoors as well.

The forecast temps wouldn't kill the crotons, but it's really bad for them. A lot of us crotonheads lost quite a number of our plants last year - not to freezing temps - but just because of the protracted chill.

I too brought a number of things in. I've vowed to myself that I will bring all my coconuts into the garage if temps go below 40F. They would be fine here outdoors year round, but I don't want to take ANY chances with setbacks. Also my hurricane palms, Pritchardia pacifica, all my Veitchias and a number of Carpentarias all went in. Tuesday afternoon will be warm, but Wednesday should have some really good temps, So at least the cold won't last long.

[spockvr6]

I too brought a number of things in. I've vowed to myself that I will bring all my coconuts into the garage if temps go below 40F. They would be fine here outdoors year round, but I don't want to take ANY chances with setbacks. Also my hurricane palms, Pritchardia pacifica, all my Veitchias and a number of Carpentarias all went in. Tuesday afternoon will be warm, but Wednesday should have some really good temps, So at least the cold won't last long.

Let em ride zeethy boy!

LOL

I can LOL as if you search my posts from years back, I was constantly looking at ways to protect palms/plants, etc. I had "palm socks", frost cloth galore, tarps, and even a fleet of propane fired forced air heaters! Talk about a major cold protection nut! I learned most of everything from our resident expert Walt from Lake Placid. Then, after that got old and I realized that if something cant take my environment, its better off not being there anyway ( as eventually everything gets too big to protect). So, they all ride the train now

Either that, or I am just lazy now. Take your pic.

[_Keith]

I too brought a number of things in. I've vowed to myself that I will bring all my coconuts into the garage if temps go below 40F. They would be fine here outdoors year round, but I don't want to take ANY chances with setbacks. Also my hurricane palms, Pritchardia pacifica, all my Veitchias and a number of Carpentarias all went in. Tuesday afternoon will be warm, but Wednesday should have some really good temps, So at least the cold won't last long.

Let em ride zeethy boy!

LOL

I can LOL as if you search my posts from years back, I was constantly looking at ways to protect palms/plants, etc. I had "palm socks", frost cloth galore, tarps, and even a fleet of propane fired forced air heaters! Talk about a major cold protection nut! I learned most of everything from our resident expert Walt from Lake Placid. Then, after that got old and I realized that if something cant take my environment, its better off not being there anyway ( as eventually everything gets too big to protect). So, they all ride the train now

Either that, or I am just lazy now. Take your pic.

I went the same path. Spent way to many nights of my life, outside freezing my rear off in the rain, protecting or checking on protection. No more temp alarms going off in the middle of the night. I sleep well nowadays, cause it will make it on its on, or not. My plants are on their own.

[epicure3]

I too brought a number of things in. I've vowed to myself that I will bring all my coconuts into the garage if temps go below 40F. They would be fine here outdoors year round, but I don't want to take ANY chances with setbacks. Also my hurricane palms, Pritchardia pacifica, all my Veitchias and a number of Carpentarias all went in. Tuesday afternoon will be warm, but Wednesday should have some really good temps, So at least the cold won't last long.

Let em ride zeethy boy!

LOL

I can LOL as if you search my posts from years back, I was constantly looking at ways to protect palms/plants, etc. I had "palm socks", frost cloth galore, tarps, and even a fleet of propane fired forced air heaters! Talk about a major cold protection nut! I learned most of everything from our resident expert Walt from Lake Placid. Then, after that got old and I realized that if something cant take my environment, its better off not being there anyway ( as eventually everything gets too big to protect). So, they all ride the train now

Either that, or I am just lazy now. Take your pic.

I went the same path. Spent way to many nights of my life, outside freezing my rear off in the rain, protecting or checking on protection. No more temp alarms going off in the middle of the night. I sleep well nowadays, cause it will make it on its on, or not. My plants are on their own.

When they get big enough, that's about all you can do anyway.