Anti-frost (anti-cold) spray

[Than]

A horticulturalist told me that there are sprays that can be used to protect plants from the cold. He told me that plants can survive 3-4 degrees lower than normal, if sprayed. Apparently the spray does not affect the plant in any negative way; it creates an invisible film on the leaves and stems which protect from the cold. Here is an article about them, in Greek, but ofc you can translate it easily: Ψεκασμοί ως αντιπαγετική προστασία - Η επιστήμη στο DNA μας (gna-agroscience.gr)

Is this true? Has anyone tried such products?

[happypalms]

  On 8/26/2024 at 8:35 AM, Than said:

A horticulturalist told me that there are sprays that can be used to protect plants from the cold. He told me that plants can survive 3-4 degrees lower than normal, if sprayed. Apparently the spray does not affect the plant in any negative way; it creates an invisible film on the leaves and stems which protect from the cold. Here is an article about them, in Greek, but ofc you can translate it easily: Ψεκασμοί ως αντιπαγετική προστασία - Η επιστήμη στο DNA μας (gna-agroscience.gr)

Is this true? Has anyone tried such products?

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Hi than I have used such products we had in Australia that was called envy my conclusion was it never really worked as you said you sprayed it on the foliage prior to winter the best thing you can do for your plants prior to winter is potash from wood ash setting your plants up for the cold days ahead strengthening them.

[Merlyn]

@Than I remember reading a thread here about sprays several years ago.  I think the conclusion was that they don't work.  In order to protect the palm from cold it would have to have a significant insulation value...which being a thin film like that, can't happen.  Or it would need to protect against the effects of cold dehydration or frost.  Any spray that actually did this would probably screw up plant transpiration, so my guess is that the sprays do nothing but empty your wallet. 

As far as actually improving cold tolerance goes, my other guess is that good plant initial health and nutrient balance is the best method.  Fertilizing in late November or early December (for FL weather) is a good way to make sure plants have enough of any nutrients needed to grow out of damage quicker.  For example, I started putting down extra Magnesium Sulfate on my Phoenix and B. Alfredii in December.  The only "cold damage" they tend to get is yellow tipping on the fronds, so extra Magnesium availability means they are less likely to need to "eat" the older fronds to supply the palm.  As long as soil temps are in the 50s then microbe activity is still very close to summer levels, so fertilizers work just fine.  This is true for most of Florida, where the average temperature is around 60F (highs in 70s and lows in 40s to 50s).  That's definitely not true for all places where you can grow palms. 

[Tomas]

I think this is it