Randy 17 Report post Posted December 30, 2010 The news is grim, but preparation is key. Tomorrow night from about 9PM to 9am, 28d F and possibly lower in our colder valley locations(like mine). Then down to 30d F the next day, and 31d F after that. My afternoons the next three says will be protecting the palms, plumeria, and hibiscus all over my yard! And the banana and pineapple. The last prolonged below freezing temps here wiped out a ton of ficus trees and burnt a lot of green vegetation into the ground. More to come... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tropicalb 46 Report post Posted December 30, 2010 good luck to you sir! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tassie_Troy1971 1,256 Report post Posted December 30, 2010 Phoenix is one tough species of palm and should be AOK ! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim in Los Altos 3,267 Report post Posted December 30, 2010 Phoenix is one tough species of palm and should be AOK ! :lol: 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattyB 2,232 Report post Posted December 30, 2010 I think Troy has had too much Jubaea wine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy 17 Report post Posted December 31, 2010 I think Troy has had too much Jubaea wine. That or he's still smoking acai berry ganja 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 The December event was bearable as I recorded only 3 cold nights, (29,29,27) which left only minor burn and bronzing to most vegetation. After that,70's in the day and 40's at night has been the norm... until now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 24 degrees verified by 3 different thermometers around the yard.A steady 10 mph breeze both day and night made it difficult to cover stuff up. Anything that wasn't protected is now a lovely dark shade of green and I expect complete defoliation of cuban royals and triangles.Anything with leaves is going to be ugly for awhile. Looks like the orange trees took quite a hit... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Allspice tree completely frozen... Hope something comes back. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 If this papaya wasn't completely dead from last months freeze,it is now! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Foxtail seedling 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 A ROYAL devastation. Cuban royals completely defoliated. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Ficus nitida is browned on the outer canopy,but the large ones always recover. Phoenix does have its temperature extremes,but fortunately,events like this are not a yearly occurrence. (last time was January 2007) 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happ 141 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 From the NWS_Phoenix: "Yesterday was the coldest day across the region since 1985. Phoenix set a new record low high temperature (by five degrees)at 44F\ 6.6C [normal for early Feb is 70F\ 21.1C]. It was also the coldest high temperature ever recorded during the month of February in Phoenix." There were so many unusual factors involved the transport of arctic air into the Southwest. Hopefully this will not occur again this winter. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilo Jason 3,797 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Scott - How are your Pseudophoenix doing after last nights cold? I hope they are ok! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Didn't want to risk things with my larger Pseudo's so I was at least able to get them covered with just a sheet for insulation and they seem fine for the most part. I intentionally left a 7 gallon sargentii exposed and uncovered and although you could see some frozen spotting this morning;now that it has warmed up outside it looks just fine. Tough little buggers! Unfortunately,the 6 ft tall cuban royal seedlings right next to it got nicely toasted as you can see. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Madagascar "palm" is another one that appears to prefer the milder temps. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 This shot of my cuban royal shows the unmistakable benefit that Christmas lights can provide.Even though most of the outer foliage has been frozen and killed,the center area is still nice and green.Although it will be ugly for a while,at least it will still be around to try again. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 Life goes on... Even though some of my palms took a hit,all the cacti appear unfazed.Here are a couple flowering right now;after the big freeze. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xerarch 1,211 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Some areas of Phoenix were in the low twenties and even the high teens, this stinks, am I going to have to start planting for zone 8b instead of 9b? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Keith 775 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 I think Troy has had too much Jubaea wine. That or he's still smoking acai berry ganja For all I have read about acai berry, you should be able to water a coconut with it and grow it in Alaska, unprotected. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasons 4 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Wow, the impact of this front was amazing. It's the same one that got us here in Texas. Next week looks like another one but further east. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spockvr6 28 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Wow, the impact of this front was amazing. It's the same one that got us here in Texas. Next week looks like another one but further east. No No No! Winter is over! <head in sand> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xerarch 1,211 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Wow, the impact of this front was amazing. It's the same one that got us here in Texas. Next week looks like another one but further east. No No No! Winter is over! <head in sand> No kidding, I knew we would still have cold spells but I really thought the worst was over. I need to find a warmer desert to live in, maybe the Atacama? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Takil-Explorer 33 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Well winter is over for me next Monday. Six weeks under those Cuban royals in Cuba will let me forget the misery of winter! Alexander Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilo Jason 3,797 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Scott - Nice to hear your Pseudophoenix did ok! that's encouraging to hear. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 I guess we'll see how tough those Pseudophoenix really are. Night 2 is actually a degree colder for me (23) and I see that the unprotected Pseudo is completely frozen dark green.I've seen some plants that have that ability to freeze and then unthaw,seemingly without any damage,and it is truly amazing.Below are pictures of a Ravenea xerophylla and an octopus agave,both of which have that ability. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BS Man about Palms 2,517 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 I hope those Pseudo's are not like Chambyronia that take a week or more to show the actual damage! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 4, 2011 Guess we'll find out soon enough... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 5, 2011 A couple of update pics to show how fast things can dry up here in the desert. 4 days ago,these royals were lush and green.Now nearly 100% grey.They will recover. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 5, 2011 Ficus nitida are all a lovely shade of chocolate. Mmmm,chocolate. Actually look pretty sharp until the leaves fall off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Takil-Explorer 33 Report post Posted February 6, 2011 Well for me winter will be over tomorrow for me. When I get out of that airplane in Havanna, Cuba. That island full with awesome palms where some folks are not allowed to goo! But for that big country north of it winter will go one for a while I guess! As long as it stays there where it belongs its fine to me... Alexander Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Two weeks after our freeze,damage is obviously visible. Cooked cubans Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Burnt bottles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Fried foxtail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Torched triangle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aztropic 3,914 Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Although I made an attempt to protect some of the known most cold sensitive plants with C9 Christmas lights and covering with sheets which has worked well in the past,unfortunately,the power went out for two hours between 4 and 6 am on our coldest night in 50 years; so there is more damage than I would have normally expected. aztropic Mesa,Arizona Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy 17 Report post Posted February 21, 2011 Scott, My foxtail leaves are crispy like your cubans. The damage is hard to look at and really discouraging. This With two close sub freezing spells that included many hours below freezing, I'm wondering if the woody's will make it back. If they don't, it's time for plan B and probably non-crown shaft palms - I probably just need to "act my zone." It's either that or I need to uncover the opportunity that will take me to the big island and leave the roller coaster temps behind! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
enigma99 623 Report post Posted February 21, 2011 Why not just get some propane and use it up in an evening? Sure it might cost 20 bucks for a night, but it's a whole lot cheaper than losing a dypsis. Not very often is it going to get that cold.... Or just plant more queens:) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy 17 Report post Posted February 21, 2011 Why not just get some propane and use it up in an evening? Sure it might cost 20 bucks for a night, but it's a whole lot cheaper than losing a dypsis. Not very often is it going to get that cold.... Or just plant more queens:) I think the challenge is using propane to last ten hours in three different locations? Are you talking about the propane heaters that run from the 5 gallon BBQ style tanks? I'm curious how to prevent leaf burn from the cold with a heater... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
