florida 2025-2026 Florida Winter

[flplantguy]

I agree on wind vs no wind with canopy.  the ideal is dense canopy with the freeze being still and covers on the most vulnerable. My front yard is wind exposed and the back is not, and the difference for both types of freezes is stark. I'm giving up on the front unless it's xeric and frost tolerant, but the area has potential for other things that are ok with it. I don't mind a challenge but this area is full of them, including flurries I guess when the pattern is just right.  Definitely want the radiational freeze, even if it's more regular and damaging for my open yard areas, since the back in spots goes untouched.  All this is irrelevant if the temp at 32.? degrees though, then you want a slight breeze or wind.  Florida is such a fickle place to garden in.

[Matthew92]

 

 

[MarkC]

That early cold wave in the middle of the second week of November may have been an omen. It left me with symptoms of cold denial. Now we are at the end of January getting beach bullied by the arctic with little end in sight. 

[pj_orlando_z9b]

2 hours ago, SubTropicRay said:

When this whole episode is done, I'll be curious about how the list of palms below perform in central Florida.  For years, I've heard how much cold they could tolerate.  I've planted them all based on this but still doubt they can tolerate the worst a 9b winter can throw at you.  This isn't the worst but bad enough to be a good test.  These weren't as widely planted back in 2010 so this is the first real, widespread test in a multitude of locations and conditions. 

Beccariophoenix alfredii

Chambeyronia macrocarpa

Chambeyronia (Kentiopsis) oliviformis

Chrysalidocarpus (Dypsis) pembana

 

I'll let you know how this beccariophoenix does in Orlando. Current forecast is 25F. Way too big to protect so I'll just water the soil well

[pj_orlando_z9b]

2 hours ago, SubTropicRay said:

When this whole episode is done, I'll be curious about how the list of palms below perform in central Florida.  For years, I've heard how much cold they could tolerate.  I've planted them all based on this but still doubt they can tolerate the worst a 9b winter can throw at you.  This isn't the worst but bad enough to be a good test.  These weren't as widely planted back in 2010 so this is the first real, widespread test in a multitude of locations and conditions. 

Beccariophoenix alfredii

Chambeyronia macrocarpa

Chambeyronia (Kentiopsis) oliviformis

Chrysalidocarpus (Dypsis) pembana

 

I'll let you know how this beccariophoenix does in Orlando. Current forecast is 25F. Way too big to protect so I'll just water the soil well

[Looking Glass]

3 hours ago, SubTropicRay said:

Unfortunately when you live in a warmer climate,  the temp threshold for vegetative damage is higher.  I have broms in about 30 genera and few if any are damaged above freezing because they're subjected to a slower and steady drop in temps beginning in late November.  You're change from warmth to cold is more abrupt.  That said, the broms should be fine.  This cold won't be anywhere near 1989 levels.   Think 1996 or 2010 instead. 

 

Most Neoregelias seem to do fine down to freezing.  Aechmeas are variable (especially chantnii and certain blanchetiana variants). A couple of years ago we had several nights in a row the 40s with days in the 50s.  I know it sounds weird, but a bunch out in the open got moderate leaf burns.  Those in patches partially under low trees, would burn where exposed and transition to fine under the trees.  They get big tan necrotic blotches overnight.  Crotons like Picasso’s paintbrush will defoliate. It’s not instant death like a freeze, but they look terrible for a year til they grow out.  I’ve got hundreds of bromeliads now.  Many in the ground.  A bunch of the prized ones in pots will be going under the roof at least.  

[JLM]

With a low somewhere near 20F forecasted for tomorrow night, and winds now expected to remain gusty throughout the night, wind chills are expected to get down to single digits here, potentially as low as 5F. Aside from worrying about plants, wind chills this low is very dangerous. If you live in northern FL, avoid going outside if possible Sunday morning and if you have to, bundle up really well.

As far as plants go, my Queens probably get defoliated regardless, they're already showing signs of minor burn from 21F earlier this week. Even if the temperature itself doesn't burn the fronds completely, I'm sure the extremely dry wind will.