skip to main content

Wind really sucks!

aachenelf z5 Mpls

15 years ago

I know it's stupid to get mad at the weather since there ain't a darned thing you can do about it, but wind just drives me nuts. Yesterday, we had all-day wind in the 30-50 mph catagory. No storms, just wind all-day-long.

I try to anticipate this when I put the orchids outside for the summer, but you never can completely prepare for it. Luckily the orchids are all enclosed in a cage so they can't blow around the yard and I've build little wooden corrals around groups of plants and put bricks around others. Some still topple and roll around.

I must admit I was really surprised at how well the baskets and mounties did. No damage at all to those two groups and they all stayed in place. Lava rock is good too, but small plants in plastic pots go a-flying.

Anyway, I don't know how you folks in hurricane land do it.

Kevin

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

picotee_sofl
15 years ago
Well, as one in hurricane land, I spend about two days doing the 'haul-in' mambo. It's a lot of work but time well spent.

Marci
0
Sheila
15 years ago
Hi Kev. We've had those same winds you're talking about! I had three plants that I thought were firmly rooted after a repot last month. In spite of rhizone clips (unfortunately, anchored rather loosely on plastic pots), the plants were blown over on two and blown OUT on the third. My little equitant oncids were also blown out of the pots. What a mess. My other outdoor potted plants didn't fare much better. I keep buying more & more hangers. Seems less damage when they can swing in the wind.

Happy growing,
Sheila :)
0
Related Discussions
Growing older really SUCKS!
Q
Comments (29)
Yesterday morning I turned my compost pile and planted some perennials, lilies, and other bulbs. Not sure how many I planted yesterday but in the last week I've planted 22 plants and 75 bulbs. I've also moved some perennials. Still have a few bulbs and 2 big flats of annuals left to put in as well as some seeds to throw around. It started raining so that was enough excuse to stop for the day. I try to limit my time in the garden to 3 hours or less. I used to be out there all day but not doing that anymore. I find gardening is easier since I lost weight. I lost 50 pounds over 4 years and now can't even *lift* 50 pounds but packed it around on my body for years. I also take vitamins and eat very carefully as plan to live for a very long time and much prefer health to disease. Since I really dislike “formal exercising” I garden as one of my main ways to keep active and reasonably fit. So far it's working altho on days when I overdo and all my muscles are screaming at me I think I might be satisfied with a half dozen pots on my deck! I'd have to find something else to do then, probably take my dog for long walks, find an exercise program I like, or volunteer more. What I've learned thru experience is that as I age I cannot work for the long hours I used to, at least not without hurting a lot. I used to garden morning and evening as well as working long hours at my job, tending house, and kids. Now 2-3 hours at a time each day is enough. I also hire help when necessary for the heavy work. Occasionally I even hire someone to vacuum my house! Lazy old me! LOL
...See More
Things are really winding down!
Q
Comments (6)
Julia, Sandra Elizabeth is the only one of these that starts late. The others have been blooming for over a month. I've had Siloam Little Girl for a long time and as far as I know it has never put up a rebloom scape before so I was thrilled to see it. I agree with lynxe that Sandra Elizabeth is one you should have it you want late bloom Val
...See More
my tomato plants suck. they really do. encouragement?
Q
Comments (9)
Don't give up! I failed on my first batch of seeds a few years ago and had to start over....didn't get a lot that season, but I did learn a lot about growing them from seed. Are you in an area with a fall growing season? You could try again. I start in the Jiffy pellets (which I know many people HATE, but it works for me...just gotta pull the netting off when I pot them). This year, I did it a bit differently and moved them out onto my shaded porch when they had almost all popped up, bringing them in on cool nights. I also moved them father into the light, and potted them up into cups with miracle grow potting mix when they had a couple sets of true leaves, so there was really no hardening off period when I was ready to put them in the garden because most of their little lives had been outside in the elements and the sun. I never have much luck with the lights, they are always leggy. Anyway, you just have to find the method that works for you....every season is a learning experience. You will always reflect and find things that went well and things that could be better and make changes for the next season.
...See More
Ugggh... chemo really sucks
Q
Comments (25)
I hear ya Polarprincess.I had my 4th round 2 days before xmas,and have been sick,weak,shakey for the last 5 days.Thought i was going to have to go back in and get re-hydrated again,but i finally started feeling better yesterday,thank God!! I go for #5 on the 15th of this month,and the way it looks now i don't have to have radiation,and that's a good thing. I did lose almost every hair on my body and head,and now with no hair,my hats keep slipping and riding up.Think i'll have to invest in some good double sided tape~~~~~~~~~~do ya think duct tape makes one??? LOL,LOL Sure hope the rest of your treatments go well for you with little side affects,and that goes for all of you going thru this,self included. My favorite saying is "This Too Shall Pass". Kathi
...See More
triciami5
15 years ago
Everytime I see what some of you go through with the elements outside, I am glad my plants are all inside. As much as I would like to do it, and am sure that it is better for them, I guess these situations make me stop and think. Hope they all do alright, we have alot of wind here too and even my plants in the ground outside have enough to deal with. Good Luck!! Tricia
0
whitecat8
15 years ago
Kevin, that's too bad. Did any of your plants get damaged?

My plants aren't out yet - procrastination, but a few weeks ago, we had winds that knocked over the empty shelves and lattice on the patio, shattering the Plexiglass sheet that lay on top to protect the plants from extended periods of rain. Bricks on the shelves & Plexiglass weren't enough to keep the shelves upright.

The next day, the whole thing got blown over again, so I disassembled everything and laid it flat on the patio.

I remember you advised me to secure the shelves to the 4"x4" deck supports on either side. This year, I'll do it.

I'm glad your precautions prevented what could have been a catastrophe of epic, disproportionate squirrel proportions. Whitecat8
0
ray_ratliff
15 years ago
I too am a fellow "Hurricane Lander" & simply roll down the hurricane shutters & let the storm pass me by =0). I am growing my plants on a 4th floor balcony, so its very easy to control the extremes of nature. The shutters are particularly handy on those rare cold windy nights that sneak up on us here in South Florida. I can quickly have all the plants protected in a mater of 2 minutes. My mom, on the other hand, takes 30 minutes or so to move them all into the garage for the night.

-Ray-
0

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Get Your Landscape Ready for Summer Storms

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Don’t let high winds, dust storms and torrential rainfall catch you or your landscape by surprise

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Become Friends With the Kitchen Again

By Erin Lang Norris

Get ready for cooking season with music, cookbooks, light, herbs in the window sill and more

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Ecofriendly Gardening Ideas That Also Cut Chore Time

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Spend less time weeding, less money watering and more moments just sitting back and enjoying your healthy garden

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Weed-Smothering Ground Covers

Let these landscape plants do the dirty work of choking out weeds while you sit back and enjoy the view

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A California Home Designed by Nature

By Vanessa Brunner

Bay Area's WA Design creates a stunning hillside home inspired by its unique building site

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Inspired Ways to Refresh Your Mantel Now

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Postholiday blahs don't stand a chance on your mantel when you incorporate these ways to accessorize and light it

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Rammed-Earth House Built to Brave the Elements

By Simon Farrell-Green

New Zealand architects take on a dual challenge — build a home that feels enclosed and keep it open to sweeping mountain views

LIFE Houzz Call: How Are You Handling the Record-Breaking Cold?

By Mary Jo Bowling

Share your tales, strategies and photos for everything polar vortex

LIFE Is Cabin Fever Real? Share Your Story

By Mary Jo Bowling

Are snow piles across the U.S. leading to masses of irritability and boredom? We want to hear your experience

GARDENING GUIDES Create a Fire-Safe Garden — With Style

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Defend your home against wildfire with a well-planned mix of plants, materials and open space

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

My first keiki!

2

Will Orchid stem regrow? NEWBIE

7

Orchid root rot

1

Source for Cypripedium formosanum?

1

Orchid - Roots vs. Stems?

5