Frosty Florida Buds?

[Snowwark]

I heard that it's going to be VERY cold down there for the next few days. How is it Buds, and how are your plants doing?

 

[TigH]

It's COLD!!!!

It was hovering around 32/33 this morning at 7:00 (in our part of Sanford). Lots of people in the neighborhood covered their tender plants with sheets and blankets last night, and I didn't. Fortunately nothing was damaged. I hear it's supposed to get even colder tonight, so I will be out with my clothes pins and sheets and blankets this afternoon, making sure everyone is comfortably tucked in!

Thanks for asking! There is talk of a warm up next week (back into the 60s again for daytime temps) and I'll be glad when it gets here!

The first winter we lived in Florida got pretty cold and I didn't know I was supposed to cover certain plants. My hibiscus died back to the ground, but came back to life once it got steadily warmer. The only thing I am really worried about losing is the Christmas Cactus, as it's in a pot. I think most everything else will bounce back if it stays uncovered. I hope!

 

[Snowwark]

Did you tuck in all the plants TigH? .....interesting visual..lol

Are things a little warmer now?

 

[SideshowBob]

Tonight, might hit all time low (for here).... in the mid-20's!

EEK!!!

That was not supposed be part of the deal!

 

[TigH]

Had to tuck the plants in again tonight. Didn't have enough sheets to cover the banana tree or a few other tender plants, so will just have to hope and pray that they survive.

I know we don't deserve much sympathy from those of you that have been dealing with bitter cold for the duration of this winter, but OH MY GOODNESS!!! It's CHILLY out there! Must look into living closer to the equator...

 

[Snowwark]

Well, how cold was it?

I could send you some parkas, mukluks, maybe a few Hudsons Bay blankets for the plants...

 

[TigH]

Oh, send the parkas for me and the dog and the blankets for the plants. Bless you! Hee hee!

I've heard of a mukluk, but I don't really know what one is! D'oh!

It's 28 degrees now and the "feels like" temp is 19. The elephant ears got hit pretty hard. They almost look like cooked spinach. A plant I inherited after my sister bought her house got hit pretty hard as well, but it doesn't look quite as spinachy! And I forgot to cover two hibiscus plants, but I am confident they will survive (at least the roots, so the leaves should grow back)!

I am sure Disney will have to put out their little signs in areas where the tender plants didn't make it. I don't remember the exact wording, but one year around the Swiss Family Tree House there were lots of little signs indicating that the cold had taken it's toll on the vegetation and that they would be replanting the beds soon.

I bet frozen banana guy's bananas didn't fare so well. We actually call him hairy back man because he mows the lawn with no shirt on and he is very hairy, but I suppose frozen banana guy is a nicer name...

 

[Snowwark]

Here you go TigH, a picture of a pair of mukluks. This pair have moosehide bottoms and deerhide tops with braid trim and beaded bear paw prints. They also have wool duffle liners. I don't how many places in Florida sell them!

Hairy back man?? lol...

 

[BobBrazeal]

I covered a lot of my plants on several different evenings. Looks like it is about to get back toward normal and I can assess the damage.

Looks like I totally lost a beautiful cardboard palm right in the middle of the front yard. I'll have to see later how the hybiscus in the front do. I have an Hawaiian ti in the back yard that isn't looking good after all this.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Yikes.. I expect it to be cold here but not there.. Hugs to our Florida Disers... I love it when one of my friends says we are having a bit of a cold snap.. LOL... protect those plants... they do not like to be cold..

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome to the Flower & Garden board, Bob!

I'm sorry that you lost some of your plants to the cold. Is a Hawaiian ti a tree, or maybe a shrub? I've never heard of it before. I hope you'll come back and tell us more about your garden.

BTW- Did the cold remind you of winter days (okay, fall-like days..lol), in Montreal?