Well, I do not grow them from cuttings because they take so long compared to other shrubs but I would have interpreted Ackerman's comments as something to apply on the first winter only and I would do this by exposing them to temperatures near 32F and then let their genetic trait handle coler temperatures. Here are some temps to have in mind.. open blosoms are damaged below 26-28F on vaerage; buds below 10-15F. Sasanquas get damaged at much colder temps, below 0F. So none of those temps that you mentioned are even close to damaging the 8-12" plants that you have. I would keep them well mulched with 3-4" of mulch. And maybe water the night before temps go down from above to below freezing. That is to minimize dessication damage. But that would be all I would do. The best way to prevent damage is to have a healthy plant. Depending on camellia tree size, you can cloak it with frost wrap or cloth sheets to provide some temporary insulation on the coldest nights. Then, once spring returns, keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize to encourage healthy new growth to replace any damaged tissues. But in Zone 7, it is not likely you would hit temps like that.

ottawan, yes, I have very limited shade in the back where all the veggies, figs, ect go. I remember my grandfather used to use a real large white almost mesh looking tarp that he had over many of his plants, it was huge, like a big blanket but white and almost clear, sun got through, but not intensity. This was in Italy where always the sun beat on things hard, he didn't want to get such hard sun on certain plants that he grew. Our figs were always in the full sun though. Do you know what I mean. It was lifted on polls about 10 feet above all those plants. It was probably 50ftx50ft. It was very translucent linen looking material. I can't find that here. Maybe he just made it? I wish I had something like that. I will use the back porch though and see if that helps, the back porch is on the north side of the house and only gets about 2 hours of sun in the morning, kinda shaded by the neighbors house. We had a maple tree that grew in the back, but I chopped it down because I wanted more sun for the Fig trees. It still tries to come up every spring though. I always feel bad about chopping a tree down, but there are millions of Maple trees here in Pennsylvania. Still, I could use the shade to harden off, Yes? Oh well, We will do something, I would rather have lots of sun instead of the cold shade. Ciao Ottawan and good luck. Hope it works well for you. Maggie

the problem is NOT us .... we all have green thumbs .... its all the other homeowners... one of the greatest threats to the environment in the world ... one bug... 10 gallons of spray ... gets the thought in their heads.. that their plants are their children.. or grandchildren .. and need to be constantly feed .. they work under the presumption that if one teaspoon of general fert will provide all the plant needs.. then one handful is better.. and two handfuls is even more better ... lol ... build the soil ... and hosta need NO FERT PERIOD .... it will get.. what it needs.. all season long ... so if the debate.. moves beyond us hostaholics.. to include newbies... i retain my position that you should NEVER fertilize in the fall ... and frankly .. that goes for all plants .... err on the side of safety .... they will get bigger next year.. simply by applying proper amounts of water ... skip the water.. and put a bag of fert on them.. and you will not make up for the lack of water ... obviously .. little of this or that.. applied at the proper time of year .. which for hosta.. is in july.. when they start growing roots .. to store the energy for next year... NOT IN FALL ... WHEN THE ROOTS ARE ALREADY GROWN .... and you are in a position to make a mushy crown.. that will not harden off.. because it is on steroids .... i dont want newbies to say .. oh i was reading on the hosta forum .. and ester... or ken .. said fall is an OK time to feed my hosta .... it is NOT the best time to do it... and this time of year is fraught with peril .. especially in ground freeze zones.. i dont know about higher zones ... maybe that is a variable we have ignored .... i dont deal with veggie crisper temps in winter.. i deal with freezer conditions ... think of it this way .. a piece of lettuce in each .... it will turn to goo in the freezer ... now think of a hosta as lettuce if NOT properly hardened off ... then think carrot in the same circs ... or a properly hardened off hosta.. and it will have a better chance in the freezer ... i gotta take kenny to school.. leave me alone .... ken

No, just red cedar chips (easier on the knees :) ) with thyme planted around the rocks. I hope to find more "walkable" plants to fill it out over time. (I also hope the thyme will "make do" with an inch or two of mel's mix on top of cardboard - if not, I'll try again next year after the board has broken down.)