Wrapped and ready for frost

[Almisa]

Spent the afternoon watering, wrapping and covering here in NE Fla. Expecting temps of 21 ‘ 28 degrees for 3 days this weekend. I provided extra frost wrap around spears, gathered fronds before covering, where possible ‘ and my husband (NOT a palm guy) helped me protect even the most cold hardy…wish my luck.  Last year, the cold completely burned up MOST of my fronds - but they came back - Triangle, Bizmark, p.robellini, BOP white and orange, Royal.  I think they came back because I concentrated on protecting the central spear and heart, where possible and my use of copper fungicide after the event, but I didn’t protect the fronds enough. This time I did both. 

[kinzyjr]

@Almisa Looks like you are better prepared for what you'll face this time.  Good luck!

[Almisa]

8 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

@Almisa Looks like you are better prepared for what you'll face this time.  Good luck!

Thank you, kinzyjr!  You encouraged and guided me in bringing these babies back after last year’s burns….fingers crossed. 

[Almisa]

Damage Report 1 week after cold event: As ChristianStAug reported, we experienced lows of 27,25 and 30 in this part of South St Augustine - 7-9 degree wind chills and unbelievably, no frost. I live in a new development with no canopy, so I prepared for the worst per my original photos above.

Post Event, I applied Copper Fungicide to the heart of all trees and plants even if they did not exhibit damage . The plantings that had significant leaf or frond burn despite good protection were; 

Dypsis decaryi, all outdoor Strelitzia (reginae and Nicolai ) took a hit but will survive, ficus elástica will also survive. 

Others:

Livistonia chineses - no protection, no damage

p. Sylvestri: no protection, no damage

p robellini: protection - frost cloth protection. Fronds initially looked much better than less protected specimens in the neighborhood - but they are getting darker and starting to bronze as weather gets warmer. I expect major trimming will still be necessary just like the unprotected ones. Probably will not bother wrapping again. 

Trachycarpus fortunei - protection, no damage

Copernecia alba - no protection, minimal frond damage

15’ Queen - no protection, no damage

Bizmarkia noblis - protected, fronds have very little damage - infinitely better than last year when we only had one day of 28 and nasty frost. Don’t know whether that had to do with this being year 2 in the ground and lots of food, water and TLC all last year.

 

 

[Almisa]

A note on the Dypsis decaryi (Triangle palm) - in studying this tree, does anyone believe that if it were planted in the ground versus the pot it’s in that it might fare better than burn up each year? Or is that always going to be a function of the tolerance of the fronds versus the cold?  The heart of it stayed healthy and came back nicely last year after the December ‘21/january /‘22 freezes and it even grew a several inches during 2022 - but just wondering other folks’ thoughts on the planting issue. Also, against most advice, i did already trim off the burnt fronds, check on it using peroxide and treating with copper fungicide and chelate nutritional - crossing my fingers until March!

[GottmitAlex]

On 1/6/2023 at 6:21 AM, Almisa said:

A note on the Dypsis decaryi (Triangle palm) - in studying this tree, does anyone believe that if it were planted in the ground versus the pot it’s in that it might fare better than burn up each year? Or is that always going to be a function of the tolerance of the fronds versus the cold?  The heart of it stayed healthy and came back nicely last year after the December ‘21/january /‘22 freezes and it even grew a several inches during 2022 - but just wondering other folks’ thoughts on the planting issue. Also, against most advice, i did already trim off the burnt fronds, check on it using peroxide and treating with copper fungicide and chelate nutritional - crossing my fingers until March!

No issues with our potted triangle.  (10a/10b) here. But from what I have read in the forum, they like well draining soil and not have their feet wet for a long time.  

 

[Almisa]

14 hours ago, GottmitAlex said:

No issues with our potted triangle.  (10a/10b) here. But from what I have read in the forum, they like well draining soil and not have their feet wet for a long time.  

 

What are you doing for frost protection? 

[GottmitAlex]

On 1/10/2023 at 6:38 AM, Almisa said:

What are you doing for frost protection? 

Nothing at all.

[GottmitAlex]

It's been this way (in this place) since I won it at the PSSC auction last April. I am surprised at the medium. Completely self draining. I am at awe. This medium is better than my coarse sand for my coconuts. Well draining. .  I have not touched it except for watering every 2 weeks and fertilizing every 3 months.