Protection of Potted Palms in Puerto Rico

[John hovancsek]

my mothers garage with the rest of my palms waiting on irma

[John hovancsek]

[DoomsDave]

6 hours ago, John hovancsek said:

Praying for you

snd yours

and your garden 

[DoomsDave]

13 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

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. 

Bless you!

Be careful!

[Cindy Adair]

Since no power still, I just finished recharging all my electronics in a fast food restaurant 20 minutes from my place. I got there early to score one of the two electrical sockets I used to use before I was able to get unlimited wi fi. 

Good to clear debris and get out of my driveway to where it looks completely normal. 

Jose bypassed us with only a small storm so I will begin to unpack my plants soon. 

My heart goes out to all in Irma's path and those crushed by Harvey too.

[Kim]

Best wishes to all in Florida. This is a tough one.

[bgl]

Cindy,

I am truly impressed by your determination and all your efforts to keep your palms (and property in general) as safe as you could, and glad to know (now when it's all said and done) that Irma didn't cause as much damage for you as it certainly would have had it been closer to PR. Best of luck with the clean up efforts!

Bo-Göran

[DoomsDave]

Glad you were able to save your treasures!

[Cindy Adair]

Only 5 days without power and very low water flow from my storage tank. Now I am very happy to no longer be indoor camping. 

This was one of my favorite hurricane items recommended by a friend in PR:

Be sure to check the brightness. This one was perfect for reading and less than $10.

My solar powered cell phone charger ordered pre Irma (about $15 including shipping) online arrived just after I got power restored so haven't tested it.

I listened to a radio station in Miami today while I worked and heard 40% of Florida power and light company customers in South FL have power back and they claim all in that region will by the weekend. So many if not most of those folks normally have a/c and thus tightly sealed houses. It is hotter there than in the mountains of PR and I am acclimated since I do not have a/c.

I did miss my ceiling fans though and want to be able to operate a pump for better water flow w/o electricity, plus not have to throw all my refrigerated food away. So I will opt for a small whole house generator when they become available here again. As of yesterday I heard that 300,000 people in PR still have no power plus all the terribly affected areas plus post Harvey, so they all need generators before I do.

I got all my plants moved out to positions where I can water them. I guess I must buy another car port cover (and shade cloths) if they are in stock tomorrow.

I no longer have enough tree canopy on level ground in reasonable proximity to the house and within reach of even multiple hoses. The 12 x 20 structure that withstood the recent winds (except for more tears in the old/recycled shade cloth) runs about $125 and later I will use both with the rather nice tarps for maybe a potting area. 

This photo was taken nearly at dusk and much brighter with the missing canopy, in this case an avocado tree.

 I want a sturdy really nice shade house with protection on the sides too from falling mangoes and tree fern fronds. It could also contain larger pots inside if another hurricane hits before I get everything planted! However a generator seems more important than that probably costly shade house.

Wonderful to do a load of laundry plus have room to pull out my retractable clothesline, one of the ways I keep my electric bill under $40 per month here. I made a note to buy a pack of new socks just to keep with my hurricane supplies. Sometimes the little things matter most. 

My slipper orchids are still under cover, but watered so soon ready to hike around and see more about what Irma did to the wilder parts of my property.

Thanks again to all of you here who inquired about me.

I wish all of you affected by any of nature's fierceness a safe and quick recovery! 

 

[BS Man about Palms]

Seeing you getting back to normal makes me happy.  Glad it worked out fairly well Cindy!

 

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks so much Bill! 

Turns out my water is off again (who knows why) and my only phone just died today (who knows why). So glad it held out until now though and I still have electricity!

It is sort of good timing too with my iPhone as although my insurance covered most of a replacement, online they refused to send it to a PO Box and well, that's what I have!

So I tried sending it to the address of my closest AT&T store and they have some rule against that and Livechat suggested I CALL them to discuss it further.

When I reminded them (trying to see the humor here) that I have no phone so can't call they disconnected the livechat. I am getting to the glass half full part soon!

I made the 45 minute drive to the closest AT&T store and used their phone and help to discover that due to Irma they are waiving their restriction and will ship to the store after all!

As I use power equipment especially to clear post Irma, the security of the phone matters much more than it normally would but in a few days I'll be all set again.

One last thing, if you are in need of a reason to smile check out this topic as it worked for me:

 

 

 

 

[realarch]

Good to hear things are 'somewhat' returning to normal for you, makes us all happy for sure.

A portable generator sounds like a good investment, I know it is in the more rural parts of this island. The last hurricane left folks without power for 2-4 weeks and things got pretty grim. Of course just prior to the last storm there wasn't a generator to be 

found.

Luckily, living in Hilo, power gets restored within hours, but it's only a matter of time before we get nailed. We need to be thinking as well.

Tim

[Cindy Adair]

I see Maria plans a visit to PR maybe Wednesday/Thursday? Please no......

[Dypsisdean]

11 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

I see Maria plans a visit to PR maybe Wednesday/Thursday? Please no......

I sure hope they have this forecast wrong.

 

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks Dean.

I plan to start moving them all my pots back under protection tomorrow very early. Still no generator.

 Hoping I awaken and the forecasters report a big course change or downgrade especially for those already devastated by Irma.

[Palmaceae]

Praying that Maria stays away from you Cindy and all the islands!

[PalmatierMeg]

14 hours ago, Palmaceae said:

Praying that Maria stays away from you Cindy and all the islands!

Amen to that. So sorry you have to go through that misery again. Our tree cutters finished Sat. evening. But since Maria formed I'm hesitant to move my potted palms off the lanai. I'd emptied our crammed garden shed and hope I don't have to fill it with plants again.

Take care and keep us posted. Joining Randy in a prayer that Maria turns out to sea to avoid you and all of FL, GA, SC. We have so much hurricane fatigue.

[Cindy Adair]

Thank all of you all so much!

I will be generatorless again as although I signed up Sept 1 there was some phone number confusion on their part. No luck now but at least I am on the right list.

I will manage of course, but it would be truly unfair for Maria to hit FL again!

At least I have a working cell phone again.

Back to moving my plants once more after this brief hydration and PT break.

 

[Kim]

Ugh! Current tracking of Maria looks really bad for you, but maybe it will veer a little north and skirt your home and garden. With all that pot-lifting your arms are going to be really buff. (searching for the positives ) Careful with your back. Wish I could be there to help you.

[DoomsDave]

On 9/12/2017, 4:16:32, Cindy Adair said:

Only 5 days without power and very low water flow from my storage tank. Now I am very happy to no longer be indoor camping. 

This was one of my favorite hurricane items recommended by a friend in PR:

Be sure to check the brightness. This one was perfect for reading and less than $10.

My solar powered cell phone charger ordered pre Irma (about $15 including shipping) online arrived just after I got power restored so haven't tested it.

I listened to a radio station in Miami today while I worked and heard 40% of Florida power and light company customers in South FL have power back and they claim all in that region will by the weekend. So many if not most of those folks normally have a/c and thus tightly sealed houses. It is hotter there than in the mountains of PR and I am acclimated since I do not have a/c.

I did miss my ceiling fans though and want to be able to operate a pump for better water flow w/o electricity, plus not have to throw all my refrigerated food away. So I will opt for a small whole house generator when they become available here again. As of yesterday I heard that 300,000 people in PR still have no power plus all the terribly affected areas plus post Harvey, so they all need generators before I do.

I got all my plants moved out to positions where I can water them. I guess I must buy another car port cover (and shade cloths) if they are in stock tomorrow.

I no longer have enough tree canopy on level ground in reasonable proximity to the house and within reach of even multiple hoses. The 12 x 20 structure that withstood the recent winds (except for more tears in the old/recycled shade cloth) runs about $125 and later I will use both with the rather nice tarps for maybe a potting area. 

This photo was taken nearly at dusk and much brighter with the missing canopy, in this case an avocado tree.

 I want a sturdy really nice shade house with protection on the sides too from falling mangoes and tree fern fronds. It could also contain larger pots inside if another hurricane hits before I get everything planted! However a generator seems more important than that probably costly shade house.

Wonderful to do a load of laundry plus have room to pull out my retractable clothesline, one of the ways I keep my electric bill under $40 per month here. I made a note to buy a pack of new socks just to keep with my hurricane supplies. Sometimes the little things matter most. 

My slipper orchids are still under cover, but watered so soon ready to hike around and see more about what Irma did to the wilder parts of my property.

Thanks again to all of you here who inquired about me.

I wish all of you affected by any of nature's fierceness a safe and quick recovery! 

 

 

On 9/12/2017, 5:50:14, BS Man about Palms said:

Seeing you getting back to normal makes me happy.  Glad it worked out fairly well Cindy!

 

Glad you're okay, and I found your detailed descriptions helpful enough to pass along to others.

Maria, no-wanna-see-ya . . . .

[Dypsisdean]

Looks like it is trying to move a little north - fingers crossed.

 

[palmtreesforpleasure]

On 09/09/2017, 21:09:21, Cindy Adair said:

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. 

Hi Cindy

You are having a rough time of it...hope the next storm misses you .....hope all survives these cyclones with minimal damage..look after yourselves

Regards

Colin

 

[Palmaceae]

Cindy, I pray a hedge of protection for you from Maria. I pray that the storm turns away and goes out to sea.

[DCA_Palm_Fan]

I'm sitting here reading this thread and watching coverage of maria and it just doesn't look good for the USVI nor PR.   Sending all the positive energy I can in hopes that it turns away, weakens, or at least damage is minimized.  Please keep us posted as best you can on your plan and how things are going!  My heart goes out to everyone down there especially those that are having to deal with this twice in very short order. 

[Cindy Adair]

Well I am hunkered down and my car is surrounded by plants. In fact I have not taken more photos because it looks pretty much the same as my preparation for Irma. I did have some help this morning so I was able to move some plants upstairs this time.

I learned 2 weeks ago that access to open up my downstairs kitchen and bathroom doors and windows (both now packed full of treasured palms) is essential immediately after the danger is past. Otherwise no light or water or circulation becomes an issue quickly.

I learned to keep all my tools in my car easily accessible (amongst other plants) because I will surely need them to clear my driveway. And at least I have the correct emergency phone number to call if I am trapped in my house by another landslide. If the phones work and anyone answers that number. Let's just hope I don't need it.

I just microwaved some frozen lasagna which will go in my fridge, but tonight I will use up the fresh food and throw it in a big salad. Lots of rice I can cook after power goes plus canned beans on my little camp stove, until I run out of butane.

I learned it does not take a lot of sun to make sun tea.

I made sure to take a shower just now before city water surely stops. Plenty of books and even playing cards for solitaire and building card houses if the wind isn't too bad after the lights go out.

For now maybe some netflix until the power goes out. Could be anytime as they often cut it off prior to a big storm here.

There are clouds and occasional small wind gusts only hinting of what is expected beginning tonight through Thursday.

I'll check in when I can.

 

 

 

 

[realarch]

Oh Cindy, best of luck!!! You'll soon be writing a hurricane preparedness manual. 

Tim

[doranakandawatta]

Cindy, 

I am impressed, it seems you face all these events alone, but  you're very strong !

I hope Maria will have an other idea... and that you'll bring back all your babies (again) in the garden soon.

[palmislandRandy]

Hang in Cindy & let us know you're ok ASAP!

[Palm Tree Jim]

Thinking of you and your safety!

[Kim]

You are truly amazing in your spunky spirit! May daylight bring with it a few rays of sunshine and some relief for you!

[Dypsisdean]

Wow - as of 9pm PST - Cat 5

 

[mike in kurtistown]

Cindy, I missed this post, hope that your preparations will be successful. I am a hurricane veteran, emerged from my wrecked house after Hurricane Andrew, went through Charlie, Frances, and Jean in 199?. I was w/o power for two weeks after Charlie, this in Seminole County!! No fun, these things. Again, good luck.

 

[Matt in OC]

Just awful. Thinking of you and Puerto Rico. 

[iwan]

Stay safe PR.   Direct landfall western St. Croix CAT5.  

My brother lives in St. Croix.  No power, but cell service still.  Not good there.

[palmfriend]

Cindy,

the next hurricane within two weeks in your area and this time it looks worse for PR than the last time -

please stay safe, my thoughts are with you!

Please be careful,

Lars 

[DoomsDave]

23 hours ago, Palmaceae said:

Cindy, I pray a hedge of protection for you from Maria. I pray that the storm turns away and goes out to sea.

I'm an agnostic, and I'm praying for you too.

AND for Pastor Randy and everyone else in Florida. There's still time for Maria to do a dipsy-doodle away from Florida at least.

AND for all our friends in Texas.

AND for our friends in central Mexico.

[Kajsa12]

Stay safe, Cindy.

[cm05]

I hope all is well. Stay safe.

[Kim]

Cindy, we understand the entirety of Puerto Rico is without power, but we are hoping to hear from you soon. That hit was a hard one, and I believe I speak for many here when I say we are concerned for you.

[BS Man about Palms]

I hope you fared decent Cindy. Please check in when you can. I have heard the Island may be without power for a month! Sad the generator did not make it earlier..