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Watering When It's So Cold

Scott

By Scott
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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Scott Mentor

Scott

Posted
Posted

Hi,

With nights in the 30's, the palms still want some water and yet I'm worried to do it.

Especially my Ravenea Rivularis - there's one in the ground and one in a pot.

Should I water?

PS - What about the Bismarckia. I've heard they don't like water in winter, but they can't go the whole winter without water... can they?

Thanks for any help :)

Scott

San Fernando Valley, California

Sunset Climate Zone 18

SubTropicRay Grand Master

SubTropicRay

Posted
Posted

Hi Scott,

I'd go easy on the watering when it's chilly out.   When did you water last?  When in doubt, feel the soil around the palm.  Dig a few inches and check the soil there too.  If it is still moist, I would skip the watering for a few more days.  Just my two cents.  I've killed lots of palms by overwatering in the cooler months.

Ray

No one cares about your current yard temperature 🙃

BobbyinNY Veteran

BobbyinNY

Posted
Posted

I agree with Ray Totally..... It is SOOOOO much better to err on the Dry side than the wet side, and at 32f it's not really gonna use the water anyway - It'll probably just sit and keep the roots damp.

Bobby

Long Island, New York  Zone 7a (where most of the southern Floridians are originally from)

AVERAGE TEMPS

Summer Highs  : 85-90f/day,  68-75f / night

Winter Lows     : 38-45f/day,   25-35f / night

Extreme Low    : 10-20f/day,    0-10f / night   but VERY RARE

bgl Grand Master

bgl

Posted
Posted

If it's one thing most palms agree on, it's that they don't like cold and wet soil!

Leilani Estates, 25 mls/40 km south of Hilo, Big Island of Hawai'i. Elevation 880 ft/270 m. Average rainfall 140 inches/3550 mm

 

gsn Veteran

gsn

Posted
Posted

I have a question related to watering when it  is cold.

I have read that watering the day before,or the morning before it freezes helps with cold protection.

The case brought for this is that the water releases heat from the ground, to warm the palm to some extent.

In practical expereience does this actually help,or hurt because of the ground (roots) being saturated with water ,when it's is cold?

Scott

Titusville, FL

1/2 mile from the Indian River

USDA Zone COLD

MattyB Grand Master

MattyB

Posted
Posted

(Scott @ Dec. 20 2006,09:17)

QUOTE
Hi,

With nights in the 30's, the palms still want some water and yet I'm worried to do it.

Especially my Ravenea Rivularis - there's one in the ground and one in a pot.

Should I water?

PS - What about the Bismarckia. I've heard they don't like water in winter, but they can't go the whole winter without water... can they?

Thanks for any help :)

I'd water the Ravenea rivularis (in ground) only once every 1-1/2 to 2 weeks at this point.  If it starts to warm up a bit then every week.  Of course pot culture and soil can vary.

I think the Bizmarckia can handle the entire winter here in Southern CA without irrigation just fine.  It will rain and with the low temps and small amount of sunlight the ground will stay moist down there longer.  If your on DG then water every once in a while.  If your in clay then don't.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

elHoagie Mentor

elHoagie

Posted
Posted

On average I water in-ground palms about 2-3 times total between the middle of November and the middle of March.  I only water if it's been more than 10 or 12 days since the last rain AND it's warmer than about 25C (75F) during the days.  Even then, I'll make sure that I water on a warm day, and that the forecast for the next day is warm.  This time of year it's much easier to kill a palm by watering it than by leaving it too dry.

Jack Sayers

East Los Angeles

growing cold tolerant palms halfway between the equator and the arctic circle...

Scott Mentor

Scott

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks everyone for the good info. It's a good thing I asked. I was going to give everything a good soaking on Thursday. And then, well, there I'd be.

Okay so slow going on the water. I'm amazed about the Bizzie going so long without water. Mine is in a big pot, sitting on pavers between the bamboo which protect it from the winds.

Thanks again for the help :)

Scott

Scott

San Fernando Valley, California

Sunset Climate Zone 18

MattyB Grand Master

MattyB

Posted
Posted

Wow, Jack.  2-3 times between NOV. and MARCH dosen't seem like much at all.  But then again, if it's raining then you don't need water, and 10-12 days w/ no rain sounds like it's time to water.  I guess I didn't realize we got that regular of rain in Winter.  

Scott, about that Bizzy in the pot.  Please note that Jack's regiment is for "in ground" palms only.  Pots, if they have good drainage, will dry out much quicker.  I don't know how dry a potted Bizzy can get and be fine.  That's a good question.  Anyone got any advice.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Trópico Grand Master

Trópico

Posted
Posted

(bgl @ Dec. 20 2006,15:03)

QUOTE
If it's one thing most palms agree on, it's that they don't like cold and wet soil!

Ask me about that!

I lost 3/4 of my entire population of Phoenicophorium borsigianum from Gileno after the last cold front (40s). Root rot. Could only manage to save five! They're now with the other ultratropicals..

My outdoors sprinklers are set up now to every other morning but today I will adjust to perhaps every three days (It's not that cold in here). My neighbors think it's summertime and they water as usual, even at night!

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

Scott Mentor

Scott

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Matt -  Yeah, I was wondering about the pot drying out fast. I haven't watered anything close to two weeks now. The nights are going up into the 40's for a while, I might get bold and give Bizzie a SMALL drink. Or shouldn't I?

Scott

San Fernando Valley, California

Sunset Climate Zone 18

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

(MattyB @ Dec. 21 2006,00:00)

QUOTE
Wow, Jack.  2-3 times between NOV. and MARCH dosen't seem like much at all.  But then again, if it's raining then you don't need water, and 10-12 days w/ no rain sounds like it's time to water.  I guess I didn't realize we got that regular of rain in Winter.  

Scott, about that Bizzy in the pot.  Please note that Jack's regiment is for "in ground" palms only.  Pots, if they have good drainage, will dry out much quicker.  I don't know how dry a potted Bizzy can get and be fine.  That's a good question.  Anyone got any advice.

Matty- I keep learning more about "pot winters" as I go. What I do now, is mostly spritz the foliage if its been dry, usually in the morning as it starts to warm up (over 55F at least), THEN, I inspect the pots and "finger them"?... ???  if they are still wet or damp an inch or two below the surface, I leave them alone, if they are getting a bit dry, I THEN determine the next few days forecast, if it is to be somewhat warm...(day AND overnight)  then I give a minor watering.  This has so far netted the best results..  (NOTE- of late this has netted 2-3 weeks between waterings)

NOTE; this works for the good, light well draining mixes, if its quite heavy, almost no water needed!

(Some of you have seen my past "concrete" palm mix memorial!!!)

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

tropicalb Mentor

tropicalb

Posted
Posted

Bill...

you are so right....i haven't watered since it last rained (last Saturday night) and everything is STILL wet enough over here...same thing at my Dad's place.

Better to err on the side of dryness in the winter cold.

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted

Oh, dear.

Generalizations are SO dangerous!

Some palms hate cold wet soil, that's badly drained.  Roystonea, Areca, most of the borderline tender tropicals, including many Dypsis.

On another hand, Rhopalistylus, Trachycarpus and other similar palms love the wet and the cool.

On the other hand, you can't let things get too dry.  The big problem with winter here in La Tierra D'La La is that nasty winter wind from the desert.

Get too careless about not watering enough, in pots especially, and you end up with crispy palm toast.

I sincerely doubt the majesty will worry about too much water, nor will other boggers like Aceleraphe (sp?)

The only way to truly deal with this is tune up the instrument between your ears, and watch carefully . . . .

dave

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

tropicalb Mentor

tropicalb

Posted
Posted

Dave...

how's this then:

95% of the time, really wet + really cold = really bad.

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted

(tropicalb @ Dec. 22 2006,13:48)

QUOTE
Dave...

how's this then:

95% of the time, really wet + really cold = really bad.

Hmm.

Depends on what, exactly you mean.

If you mean 95% of palm species in So-Cal, that's probably accurate, assuming there's bad drainage involved.

dave

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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