Re: A Note From the Northern UK Tropics

Tim wrote:

>Hugo - Re your dire prophecy:
>>You  have heard, I take it, that next year the Equatorial current ,
>>due to that chico, will not be reaching Lands End, let alone the fringes of
>>the North Polar Ice Cap

Coo, I missed that one.  Generally in the UK we have a really bad,
bitter winter every 16 - 20  years, where arctic conditions can
prevail for weeks or even months.  The last one was in 1981/2  with
previous bad winters in 1962 and 1947, so we are almost due for a real
killer at any time.  That this should coincide with a forecasted,
temporary shift in the North Atlantic Drift (Gulf Stream), seems quite
logical to me.  

>I think you must have a superfast cold line (hot line doesn't seem
>appropriate) to the relevant authorities. Not so much next year as
>next week: most of the UK (not to speak of course of the real
>disasters in the Alps) now shivering and snow-bound. Even the tropical
>North West coast has had a couple of degrees of frost and my most
>tender plants are seeing it out buttoned up in their fleece overcoats.

Same down here Tim - minus 2C last night, with a light covering of
snow this morning that failed to shift until noon.  It is such a rare
event, that the local authority gathered some of the stuff up and sent
it off for forensic analysis!  Brilliant sunshine though and a deep
azure sky to go with it.  If I could withstand the 'goose-bumps' it
would be sunbathing weather!  None of my stuff is covered up, but all
looks well - apart from a Gardenia which drooped alarmingly and lost
its gloss.  However, once the temperature rose above 5C it returned to
normal. Seems as though it reacts to cold in the same way as some
Opuntias.  Schlumbergera and Oleanders are holding up extremely well
and even some Brugmansias in pots have weathered the cold with none of
that characteristic and immediate wrinkling of the thin bark.
Looks as though the thaw is already setting in - I just looked outside
and it is warmer (4C.) now at nearly 11pm than it was at 6pm. 

Dave Poole
TORQUAY  UK  Zone 9b - (Temporarily relegated to 3!)
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