Cold night watering

[kbob11]

So I planted my first sabal minor 5gal in the backyard yesterday knowing the next 2 night lows are in the mid-upper 20s.  I am covering it with straw and a bucket during the night.  Going forward the forecast looks mid 30s - 40s at night.  My question is, should I wait to water it until the night temps are above freezing?  I usually thoroughly water but I don't want to fry it.  Thoughts are greatly appreciated.   *The only reason I didn't wait to plant it was because I got it in the mail yesterday and it was severely growing out of the pot. *

 

[Allen]

The bucket if left on during sun hitting it during the day will fry the palm, also if the fronds contact the plastic inside the part touching will be subject to cold damage.  I doubt temps in the 20's will faze it.   I would water it during the day just don't wet the foliage.  Most minor types will take 0F once a year has passed.  Remember they grow slow 2-3 fronds/year.   Mulch around it is also your friend.

Edited March 27, 2019 by Allen

[kbob11]

5 hours ago, Allen said:

The bucket if left on during sun hitting it during the day will fry the palm, also if the fronds contact the plastic inside the part touching will be subject to cold damage. 

Thanks for the bucket advice.  I watered it and covered with straw.  

[RJ]

Pile those leaves on there, that will keep frost from forming on the leaves 

[PalmTreeDude]

Do you know what population this minor is from? 

[kbob11]

@PalmTreeDude I’m not sure which exactly but I got it from @TexasColdHardyPalms and was told it has seen 22degrees recently.

[Chester B]

1 hour ago, kbob11 said:

@PalmTreeDude I’m not sure which exactly but I got it from @TexasColdHardyPalms and was told it has seen 22degrees recently.

I bought a couple of these minors as well.  They are from plants originating in the Dallas area.

[Swolte]

Watering the soil the during the (somewhat warmer) day time before it gets really cold can actually be help tolerate cold as wet soils absorb more heat. Put differently, water is a not a good conductor of heat and will tend to hold on to the warmth a bit longer which can benefit cold-sensitive plans. I always water my palms the day before a nightly frost. 
 
TCHP has lots of great varieties of minors, some more hardy than others! Enjoy your palm. Sounds like you have little to fear!

Edited March 28, 2019 by Swolte

[PalmTreeDude]

Looks like you got one of the hardier ecotypes! I have some small Dallas minors, I still need to plant them in the ground. 

[Tropicdoc]

sabal minor grows here IN the water and tolerates freezing temps so, I doubt you can harm it.