Protection of Potted Palms in Puerto Rico

[Cindy Adair]

Well, this topic could go under weather or potted palms, but here goes. 

I have worked too hard to grow all of these plants just to surrender them to some weather event. So today I could not ignore the reports that Irma will pay an unwelcome visit to Puerto Rico, other islands and even the US mainland.

I have done the basics of water and food and gas and money and such. Pretty straightforward.

Now to the plants!

Beginning at dawn I worked under a beautiful blue sky until it began the usual afternoon rain. Here's some of what I was selecting from:

I used my cart and still got very muddy. Some fierce ants (farming scale no doubt) did not wish to be disturbed and inflicted pain in retaliation. I persevered.

I started by stacking plastic shelves on my downstairs kitchen counter with my slipper orchids I moved from VA in back. Then smaller palms.

I stashed the cookbooks in the bathroom sink. Good thing I have a kitchenette I can use for less important things like food preparation.

Then I began to fill the downstairs bathroom too.

I filled the bathroom completely and closed the hurricane shutters and locked the door. Still some air movement above the door so it shouldn't get too hot.

I ran final errands and pulled my car underneath cover too and added lots more plants around it. 

Tomorrow I will pack what I can fit onto the remaining kitchen floor and lock it up too. It's supposed to be nice in the morning so I'll continue moving pots inwards (where they will have some protection) until the afternoon showers.

It is not uncommon here for the authorities to cut power prior to storms so I decided to post now rather than wait. 

I wish all of you harmed by Harvey a speedy recovery and hope Irma defies the odds and inexplicably fizzles.

 

[Kim]

I certainly hope all your preparations turn out to have been unnecessary.  Even with plants moved to safety, it could be a rude shock to see the garden after the hurricane has passed by.

More importantly, you barely mentioned your own safety. I hope you are well away from any potential surge zone and that your house is nailed down tight!  Stay safe and please check in when able.

[GottmitAlex]

Stay safe Cindy and God bless.

[realarch]

Oh man, we've had to do the hurricane prep before and it's not a lot of fun. Hopefully you won't suffer much damage from wind and rain. 

Don't mistake those palms for salad greens when your making dinner...a slip of that knife and it's over. 

Best of luck. 

 

Tim

[doranakandawatta]

Cindy,

I hope you and your garden 'll be fine, and you did all that work for nothing !

But it's nice to see pics of your babies .

[PalmatierMeg]

Cindy, sending prayers & best wishes to you in PR. I lay awake last night contemplating how/where I will move our extensive container garden. Some of it will go on shelving in our 10x16' garden shed (Miami hurricane code rated & anchored into the ground), some into the garage and the palms into our FL room. I keep hoping Irma will turn away out to sea but that's looking less likely as the center cone may tear up the whole FL peninsula. I woke up this morning to find out the storm is cat 5 - 175 mph winds. Newscasters now compare it to Donna which tore up Ft. Myers in 1960. We were at Lowe's yesterday and water & gas cans were flying out the door. Harvey has a lot of people spooked about Irma. My husband drained & fired up our generator in preparation. We also need to fill the rest of our gas cans and fill up the cars before stations sell out of fuel.

[humangenomaproject]

Best of luck. It would be a shame to lose some of those jewels. The Chamaedorea Tuerkheimii looks like a beast!

[Alberto]

I wish you and all you love , all the best. God bless you. 

[Cindy Adair]

Thank you so much everyone! Still a normal looking day here and I think I have finished moving plants. The rest are potential missiles of course and a few I would move if I had help. I decided it was not work risking a back injury and everyone here is busy with their own preparations. However I got most everything including some replaceables to be the front line so to speak. The most precious plants are mostly in the interior spaces.

As you can see below there are still some plants I left in place. The toughest was a Ficus dammaropsis next to the in ground croton on the right. Just too heavy a pot for me to risk moving.

 

 

I have moved the empty plastic benches and a few other potential projectiles since taking these photos, but then opted for a shower and coffee since both may be difficult soon. I don't have (or need) a/c but do enjoy my ceiling fans mid day. I hope to have a whole house generator before the next hurricane and I was told this morning that my storage tank of water (gravity so no electricity needed) would be delivered and installed today. 

Oh well, I have lots of water in gallon bottles so should be OK.

And I still want to have most all these plants in the ground or attached to trees fending for themselves before the next hurricane season.

Meg and everyone else in Irma's path, we'll do our best to tame her here!

 

[Monòver]

Good luck Cindy!!!

[doranakandawatta]

Cindy, 

If I were close by, I would have come and help you... and you would thank me by giving me some of your jewels 

Sadly I only can wish you that this ugly hurricane will become weak before landing on Porto Rico, or at least on your garden!

 

[DoomsDave]

Cindy 

Praying for a false alarm!

But also for your safety if the threat turns out to be real.

[Laaz]

Stay safe, this doesn't look good.

[Cindy Adair]

Still fine here with only gray skies, but no wind or rain-yet......

Good luck to those in FL preparing and to those already attacked by Irma I wish you a speedy recovery.

Thanks to all who have wished me well and given suggestions!

I will be back in touch when I can, until the power/internet goes out.

[palmfriend]

Cindy,

since we are here in a typhoon region as well, I am used to those routines (moving the potted plants inside and

double checking everything else around the house), too - so, please be careful and stay safe!

Best of luck  -

Lars

 

 

 

[DoomsDave]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/hurricane-irma-leaves-scientists-at-loss-for-words/ar-AArnqtk?li=BBnb7Kz

Not good.

When the docs get squeamish, time to be concerned.

They appear very squeamish right now.

The size of the storm left hurricane and weather scientists speechless. “I am at a complete and utter loss for words looking at Irma's appearance on satellite imagery,” wrote Taylor Trogdon, a scientist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center‏ on Twitter.

[Cluster]

Cindy,

We have never spoken before, but good luck and stay safe, hopefully you won't have too much damage to such beautiful garden and collection that is obvious precious to you.

[Pando]

51 minutes ago, DoomsDave said:

The size of the storm left hurricane and weather scientists speechless. “I am at a complete and utter loss for words looking at Irma's appearance on satellite imagery,” wrote Taylor Trogdon, a scientist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center‏ on Twitter.

Incredible...

[doranakandawatta]

Cindy,

From my swiss living room, just a message telling you that I wish Irma will find an other way and you'll be fine.
I am sure you have more important things to do than being on Palmtalk now but I am looking forward to reading news from you, hopefully best news .

Take care.

Philippe

 

[Neil C]

Take care all in it's path.

Regards Neil

[Cindy Adair]

So far in the mountains of southwest PR we have waves of rain and wind for the last 5.5 hours.

Once early on there was a long pause and I peeked outside, nothing obvious. Now keeping all closed up tight.

No really ominous noises and with the three little glass blocks in the ceilings here I don't even need to use flashlights or candles yet.

I hear generator kick in elsewhere but have plenty of food and in fact had my own solo unwelcome to Irma party complete with homemade banana bread and have managed to nap on and off. 

Still tired from hauling all those pots the last couple of days!

I will check in later when I can. Thanks for the posts!

[Palm Tree Jim]

Be safe!

[Cindy Adair]

As of 6 am Irma seems to still be here blasting PR.

Long night, but I am dry and safe. 

No idea about my plants in pots or my car or what it looks like outside but hope to catch a glimpse before too long. 

[Daryl]

Take care Cindy....hang in there!

 

Daryl

 

[DoomsDave]

Cindy 

It appears you missed the worst of it.

Breathing a huge sigh of relief.

The information you provide in sharing experiences will help us all.

[Kim]

Whew! A close call, but luckily not a direct hit. Hope to hear more from you and how your plants fared.

[Cindy Adair]

It is a lovely morning here and except for the shredded leaves and some downed trees my view from my dining room table is unchanged. Well, the big avocado I was considering pruning has been thoroughly, albeit unattractively pruned by Irma.

No power, but comfortable temperature. I will probably wait until after Jose passes to consider moving plants back out. I think all that I sheltered are fine, but those I left out not so much. 

I have unplugged everything upstairs to prevent surge damage when power gets restored but no way to reach the downstairs appliances due to the plants and car. 

I am much more concerned about Florida and everyone still in harm's way. Please check in on PalmTalk after you are safe too.

 

 

[Palm Tree Jim]

1 hour ago, Cindy Adair said:

It is a lovely morning here and except for the shredded leaves and some downed trees my view from my dining room table is unchanged. Well, the big avocado I was considering pruning has been thoroughly, albeit unattractively pruned by Irma.

No power, but comfortable temperature. I will probably wait until after Jose passes to consider moving plants back out. I think all that I sheltered are fine, but those I left out not so much. 

I have unplugged everything upstairs to prevent surge damage when power gets restored but no way to reach the downstairs appliances due to the plants and car. 

I am much more concerned about Florida and everyone still in harm's way. Please check in on PalmTalk after you are safe too.

 

 

Glad to hear you are OK!

[PalmatierMeg]

Very encouraging news, Cindy. Irma's path shifted back west here, looks to come ashore at 10,000 Islands or Marco. Eye should cross over Lehigh Acres east of Ft. Myers. For Cape Coral perhaps another Charlie but larger. Looks like we get hurricane winds and gusts. We've lowered most of our shutters and started stashing potted plants last night. After physical therapy this morning, I plan to take on my potted palms and move them indoors. Then other potted tropicals, finally figure out what to do about the Dyckias. This will be a bad one but I'd rather be home than trapped & out of gas on a gridlocked interstate because running now is folly. Where to go? NFL? GA? SC? NC? AL? This storm may take them all out. And their residents are running too.

Long ago I figured out a major problem with SFL & major storms: fuel, esp., but other provisions have to be shipped/trucked here. When a hurricane bears down, Port Everglades & Port of Tampa shut down, so no fuel. Tanker trucks from 100s of miles away provide a few drops in a huge bucket. This skinny peninsula has a huge population, limited north/south highways and few east/west highways. Where & how to go when all routes are gridlocked and there is no fuel? In our area there are shelters for people on water or in trailer parks. Inconvenient but relatively safe. But we have two rescue cats, one totally blind, that aren't welcome at a shelter and which we won't abandon.

We made it through Charlie with minimal damage. Since then we've invested in a metal roof for our concrete block house, which is far more secure than shingles and tile. Our roof is a hip/mansard roof that sits like a cap on the house. Unlike many flashier, more modern home designs, our home has no gables, peaks or frou-frou eye-catchers that also catch wind gusts that peel fancy roofs off. We have shutters and are miles from the Gulf and river. My gardens likely may be trashed. On the other hand, the many palms and tropical trees may provide wind breaks and shield the house from flying debris. Will that work or am I dreaming? Only time will tell. Life in FL is not for wimps and the faint of heart.

[Cindy Adair]

The little power pack I have had for years worked like a charm so I can post again.

Please Meg, and everyone in Irma's path, don't forget to check in on PalmTalk and reassure us afterwards that you are all OK! We care about all of you!

There are some in PR too I would love to hear from.

[doranakandawatta]

39 minutes ago, Cindy Adair said:

The little power pack I have had for years worked like a charm so I can post again.

Please Meg, and everyone in Irma's path, don't forget to check in on PalmTalk and reassure us afterwards that you are all OK! We care about all of you!

There are some in PR too I would love to hear from.

And I am glad to see your post tonight, after all news we receive in France about Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin. 

Gladly  Cindy you didn't meet Irma that way!

[Missi]

Do you guys think my potted plants will be safe on the floor of my roofed lanai, or should I move them into the garage?

[Cindy Adair]

I knew I felt best with all the ones I could fit inside. But the many that could not fit inside were fine under just a roof as Irma only skirted my side of the island. 

I defer to those who have dealt with direct hits.

And I am still staying put until after Jose leaves.

[PalmatierMeg]

8 hours ago, Missi said:

Do you guys think my potted plants will be safe on the floor of my roofed lanai, or should I move them into the garage?

Maybe but don't count on it. This thing looks to come ashore at Collier County as a cat 4/5. Sustained winds might be 150mph+ with gusts 200mph or more. Debris will be flying everywhere so a screened porch may not be enough protection. Your potted plants may end up flying debris. If you have some very valuable, hard to replace plants, i.e., rare palms like a dwarf Areca, you should move them indoors. I've taken all my potted palms indoors and placed them on blue tarps on the floor. Lot of hard labor and my back is killing me but I don't want to risk losing them.

[doranakandawatta]

Meg, Missi, Cindy,

One thing impresses me; it seems you're alone (with your painful back) for facing all the work and the stressful situations;
I don't want to be intrusive in your private life but I wish you have at least gardeners or house boys for helping and protecting you. 

In Sri lanka, our Puwakwatta is now only 3 feet above the water level of the floods, if rain doesn't stop, we'll be flooded again. ( but gladly i's only floods, no hurricane !)

[Cindy Adair]

Oh Philippe I am so sorry to hear you may be flooded again.

And I remain extremely concerned about Irma heading to FL and beyond.

Jose, Irma's lesser but still evil brother is nearing Puerto Rico and threatens islands very close to us. I do have internet and so far the forecasters think Jose will just generate a tropical storm 2 am-6 am or so, early tomorrow (Sunday) morning. I am probably going to let my plants be safe but now quite dry another day, but will decide soon.

No electricity or city water yet, but still some nonperishable food and water back up on my farm so I'm fine. 

[doranakandawatta]

to let my plants be safe but now quite dry another day, but will decide soon.

Funny if you'll have to water your plants in these days ....  sorry! 

[Josh-O]

praying for everyone in Florida

[Josh-O]

Glad to see you dodged a major bullet Cindy

[realarch]

Cindy, glad to haar things are much better than expected......a scary time for sure.

Meg, we're all pulling for you and Tim. Fingers crossed here.

Tim