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Florida Gardening

What plants need protection from cold?

15 years ago

Or how I hurt my back shleping pots into the garage.Oy!

Every year we have a few cold days in zone 10 and every year I wonder what plants I should look to protect. I know if it's close to a freeze, everything gets covered, but what besides orchids and red palms(which I don't have)should be brought in if it's in the 40's or 50's?

Bromeliads? Hoya?

I promise to make a list and not have to ask again next year.

Thanks guys, you're the best!

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Comments (6)

rainy230
15 years ago
I've got my paper and pen ready to take notes too !
Rainy
coffeemom
Original Author
15 years ago
Seriously folks.......
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puglvr1
15 years ago
Coffeemom,

No expert by any means, but I do take my Hoyas inside the garage(the ones I have hanging) on the FL oaks when the temps go in the low 40's. I just would rather be safe than sorry! I also bring in my Desert Rose...if its gets colder than 43Â° I bring that inside also. I have potted Bougainevillas, I bring them in when it gets below 40, and I have some poinsettias left from 2 or 3 Christmases ago, same with them, I bring mine in the low to mid 40's. I leave all my Jades/Succulents outside up to mid 30's, jades love the cold weather just not near freezing. One more my Coffee plant, low 40's, the come in...

These are just what I do with my Plants...not necessarily the "right" recommendations by the pro's. I always err on the side of caution. Better safe than sorry!

Good Luck!
wanna_run_faster
15 years ago
Ok Coffeemom so when am I supposed to be moving these plants lol? Do you like hoyas? Which ones do you have :)
coffeemom
Original Author
15 years ago
I thot we'd be getting temps in the 40's this week but it looks more like low 50's if that.So everything's staying put.
Thanks puglover. I have alot of heavy desert roses I'm very glad I don't have to move.
WRF I only have hoyas that were given to me at swaps and a tiny verigated one from Lowes clearance.
garyfla_gw
15 years ago
Hi
I grow orchids in three locations for many years .I've found orchid generally more tolerant of cold than many other plants. I think the magic number is 32, which makes sense as at that temp water turns solid therefore damaging tissue. Of course "orchids" is almost like saying plants lol
There are soooo many kinds. Many actually appreciate a cool dry rest period. Have nevr lost any in temps above 35
over the years .
Do they do as well as those not subject to temps below 45??
Still deciding on that lol.
I actually think that some Phals flower better and are more vigorous with a cool down. Of course Phals are divided into two major temp catagories Those that cool down before flowering and those that warm up. I have none of the species in the warm up catagory. of course these families are hybridized which makes it even simpler to draw a conclusion lol Also there are other factors such as the duration of the cold, drop in humidity, wind ,and moisture.
light, and frequency.
I'm thinking if they are not dead then I'm doing something right?? lol
IME There are many other families of tropical plants far less tolerant of cold. The most extreme is Episcia. they go into a nosedive at 50, turn black at 40.
One interesting obsevation on orchids is I find Warm growers far more tolerant of cold than cool growers are of heat. can't figure that out lol
There's my two cents lol gary

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