All Activity
- Past hour
-
I agree with the thermo-cube. I don't think the lights are the issue, but they should only be on when it's below freezing.
-
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
pj_orlando_z9b replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
It is advised because any pockets can allow cold air into the root system. Our soil temps were low 60s before the event so there is some evaporation that can raise humidity and provide some heat. Problem is we had tropical storm force winds so unless sheltered, it was useless! 50 mph gusts tore my protection apart in some cases. -
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
pj_orlando_z9b replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
I'll get an update this week -
I’ve argued a few times that the Gulf Stream isn’t helpful when there is a land breeze. Miami stayed warm because of the urban heat island (and partially because it is so far south.) Miami Beach stayed warmer because it has the same urban heat island, but also have the benefit of Biscayne Bay (cold air had to cross it.) Where the intercoastal is narrow in South Florida there’s actually not much protection. Where the Gulf Stream helped, if at all, was keeping Biscayne Bay relatively warm.
-
Glad to see the waggy x princeps did well. It certainly was subjected to cold here but they went inside at mid 20s. I wonder if it being under Styrofoam as opposed to just plastic for the fortunei was at play as well? Any heat from the ground would be trapped better with the foam. Anyways I hope everything else comes out of it, I got to figure y'all should be done with the extreme cold for the season but who knows. My palms have got a month or so before they get unwrapped. It's been a fairly mild winter here, only this little cold snap we are just coming out of. Coldest it got at my house was 1. If that holds everything should look good come March 🤞
-
I'm growing a hybrid of vulcanicola and sanguinea (Suncrest vulsa) that wilts in direct afternoon sun, even at this time of year. It doesn't burn and is growing pretty compact, but I think it would prefer morning sun.
-
Recorded a high of 81F and morning low of 53F today where I am in the east valley of AZ. The warm weather looks like it will continue through the weekend before cooling off next week. This really has been a mild, if not warm winter here in the desert southwest.
-
Nope unfortunately, I've always wanted some but never get to it. So I always go out and try to turn the lights off and stuff early on before it gets to warm, maybe I should just put less lights on it for such a small palm and keep air circulating.
-
Camellia – received as a gift after the breeding room was finally sealed
SeanK replied to Mazat's topic in TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms
They're very popular here. https://www.americancamellias.com/ -
Fatsia japonica as a dieback shrub in zone 6?
SeanK replied to Ohiopalmloverz6's topic in TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms
Cruise big box stores in fall and winter. Stock up on Rhododendrons. Mountain Laurel is good too, but tougher to find. You may have to buy it on-line. -
Fatsia japonica as a dieback shrub in zone 6?
SeanK replied to Ohiopalmloverz6's topic in TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms
It's good into z7 evergreen. - Today
-
Did you use a Thermo-cube? These allow the lights/heat source to turn on & off within a specified temperature range to prevent overheating. It does look like a lot of mini-lights.
-
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
cocoforcoconuts replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
Brutal. The fact that the east coast barrier islands weren't spared whatsoever gets me. Brevard south of Cape Canaveral has always looked great for its latitude and if I recall correctly, they made out decently in 2010 relatively speaking. Sadly it appears the landscape there will be getting quite the makeover. On a lighter note, I'd be very keen to obtain coconuts from surviving cocos all around east central FL -
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
idontknowhatnametuse replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
That Satakentia in the right looks like it's a goner. That Caryota looks very bad as well, doesn't look like it's a clumping species, maybe Caryota urens. -
Climate of Extreme South Florida Truly Tropical?
SeanK replied to palmsOrl's topic in WEATHER / CLIMATE
I read once where the native crocs set coconuts as bait to lure unsuspecting tourists. -
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
idontknowhatnametuse replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
Also waiting for an update on that one -
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
cocoforcoconuts replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
Any word on the I-drive coconut palm? -
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
Central Floridave replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
I'll second the opinion that adonidia usually show the damage later. Along with bottles and spindles. I've got a ton of tropical palms damaged on this freeze event! South Tropical Trail Merritt Island isn't a microclime in an advective freeze obviously! -
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
kinzyjr replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
Well wishes appreciated. It was the coldest temperature I've recorded on this particular property (24oF) coupled with 13MPH winds. -
Chamadorea cataractarum can handle sun if it gets plenty of water. I use Cascabela thevetia as a hedge myself because it grows so fast. It's poisonous, but I don't eat it!
-
Serenoa repens takes a while to grow, but they are a great hedge when they get there. Acoelorraphe wrightii could become a little too sparse once the canes get high, but a very strong hedge. Some varieties of Sabal minor get large enough to use as a hedge. Podocarpus is my hedge of choice.
-
2026 2026 Florida Palmageddon Observations and Damage Photo Thread
Harry’s Palms replied to idontknowhatnametuse's topic in FREEZE DAMAGE DATA
I feel so bad for the folks in the wake of this cold snap. By the looks of it there was a lot of damage . I just hope some of those beauties recover. Harry -
Southern Hemisphere Growing Season 2025/26
tropicbreeze replied to Jonathan's topic in WEATHER / CLIMATE
January brought more heavy and consistent rain. Two monsoon troughs developed, although small and fairly weak they still brought a lot of rain. Currently there's a tropical Low passing to the south of us and expected to cross the Kimberley coast in a couple of days. In the Indian Ocean it's likely to intensify and develop into a tropical cyclone. Possible effect here is drawing away of a lot of the moist air and bring in a drier spell. So far, though, February has got off to a very wet start. In about a week the sun will pass directly overhead. UV index still up to 15. January rain 649mm (172.4% of average) Average max. 32.4C Average min. 24.1C
-
after this most recent hard freeze in Orlando, I am second guessing putting in an Areca hedge. The current mature arecas I have look like someone took a flame thrower to them. I know they'll grow back that will take several years again. Not sure I would want to risk loosing privacy for that long should a freeze like this happen again. Would love to use cat palms instead but the area I need the hedge probably gets too much sun for cat palms.
-
I fertilize all the palms with Lutz Tree Spikes once a year and then throw a little 14-14-14 around mid-summer. The hard part is keeping enough moisture available to the palms since the sand drains like a colander. Nutritional problems occur more from dry soil than from lack of available K/Mg issues. Two of my students are expanding out drip irrigation to offer more moisture to the palms. We add pine straw as mulch on a regular basis. Seed germination is a cinch: Any Sabal seed for me is easy if the seed drops on the ground. Minor, palmetto, causiarum, mexicana are actually weedy. The other Sabal seed seem to be less vigorous, but that may be because they are in drier places.
