Re: Winter interest
- To:
- Subject: Re: Winter interest
- From: M* T*
- Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 01:41:48 -0500
Well, Donna, it all depends on how far along the buds are on the
Azaleas...I have a very early one that regularly gets frosted just as it's
breaking color, despite massive efforts with Remay. I always figure it's
worth a try, but be prepared for the worst if the buds are just at opening
stage. If they're still tight, you have a better chance of saving the
flowers with a covering.
I don't grow Magnolia, but have my doubts about them, too, if they're at
breaking point.
Daffodils will often stand a couple of nights of really cold temps., even
in bloom, with no problems; Forsythia also...just depends. I'd cover those
Amaryllis with something because the really don't care for cold weather -
bushel basket, cardboard box, large paper bag ..something, maybe bubble
wrap on the outside of the above for insulation. Iris and Kniphofia will
probably be OK...maybe a slight bit of leaf burn, but not mortal damage,
same for any other bulb foliage that's up. At worst, a bit of tip burn,
but most hardy bulbs are really hardy in the foliage stage....it's only the
flower buds that can suffer if they are just at bursting point; if they are
still tight, they generally come through fine.
Remay (AKA floating row covers and other names) is very good for emergency
plant covering - connect it together around the trunk or bottom of the
plant with good old spring type clothes pins - they will hold in about any
wind. I've even used 2 or three layers to protect tender annuals from fall
frosts when I wanted to keep them going a bit longer and it works a treat.
Trick is to completely enclose the plant so air isn't circulating inside
and to do it during the heat of the day so heat is trapped inside.
Only problem is that cold snaps seem to always be accompanied by high winds
around here and then it's a two person job to hold the stuff down long
enough to get it around something and secured. My early Azalea, being
about 8' tall and almost as big around in an open branch sort of structure,
is almost impossible to enclose well enough to protect it, but the Remay
works well for smaller things.
Best of luck there! I hear rumors of a massive snow storm coming my way
for the weekend which will put paid to my plans for major garden projects
;-( Why is it nice during the work week (60F and sunny) and lousy on
weekends (rain, cold, snow)? Is this Mother Nature's way of getting back
at the human race?
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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----------
> From: James & Donna Davis <dsdavis@intop.net>
> Date: Tuesday, February 09, 1999 2:09 AM
>
> hi all
>
> it's crying time in NE Mississippi. for the past 3 to 4 weeks we have
> had unusually mild weather (50's 60's and 70's) as a matter of fact
> today it was a delightful 76. I spent most of the day outside. I have
> a Royal Star Magnolia that is in almost full bloom, a Saucer Magnolia
> (we call them Tulip Trees) that last year had maybe 10 to 12 blooms and
> this year it is loaded with buds that are almost in bloom. I have
> Golden Bells (Forsythia) and daffodil in bloom. my roses are putting on
> new growth, my wild azelia's are budding and so many other things are
> showing signs of life. my lilies, iris, amaryllis and red hot pokers
> are peeking out of the soil.
> I'm crying because the weather predicted for the week-end is in the
> 20's
>
> do you think if I covered the magnolia's and maybe the wild azelia's
> that are in bud, would they survive the cold assuming that it did not
> stay cold for more than a night or two. I would have to cover them with
> something light otherwise it might break some of the branches.
>
> advice is welcome Donna
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