Re: frozen plants
In essence the plant produces anti-freeze to protect its cells
from damage by ice crystals. David Leach in his "Rhododendrons of
the World" has discussion on factors that affect hardiness
including the natural hardening off. Woody plants need time for
this process to work. Fertilizing and watering in fall can
postpone this process. So can fall pruning. From personal
experience when I pruned my Ilex.crenata in the fall, I would get
die back - the new growth resulting would not properly harden off.
The heat of fusion of water and the high heat capacity of water
has to retard the temperature wave. If it is 20% then that amounts
to 19" compared to 24". In the spring dry soil warms up faster
than wet soil. That 80 calories lost in freezing has to be
supplied to melt the ice.
Bill Plummer
Painted Post, New York
Zone 5
