Friday, January 8, 2010

Cold damage: First report


It didn't get below 38 here (phew), and so far, everything looks okay. The cattleya and dendrobium orchids growing together on a coconut palm took the full force of the wind blowing across the lake and seem none the worse for it. However, if there is damage and rot sets in, it won't show up for a while. The only thing that does show damage is the basil, which has wind burn. Go figure.


And there was a lovely surprise, too. One of the gardenia plants, that's been in bud since well before Christmas, has started opening its flowers. I would certainly have expected them to drop because they are usually cold sensitive. It's possible that the reddish colored pavers soaked up enough sun in the daytime to release a little welcome warmth. And they were out of the worst of the wind, too. My camera doesn't like anything white, so forgive the poor photo.

6 comments:

El Jardin said...

Good luck. So far we've experienced cold damage to a banana tree and the orchids on our palm look a little rough. The low in Jupiter has been as cold as 31. I miss Florida!

Flowers said...

Nice blog with nice picture of cattleya and dendrobium orchids. I am not at all familiar with this plant, but it sounds like one I would like to get to know better.

James David said...

Nice to see the gardenia bloom, Hope the fragrant is refreshing.

debsgarden said...

I am glad your garden seems to have come through the cold without too terrible damage. I am ready for spring! It's still freezing here, and i haven't had the heart to check on some of my less hardy plants yet. I am worried about the tea olives.

Penny said...

Hello, folks. Thanks for your kind thoughts. I'm in Atlanta so I missed the last two nights of Miami's even colder weather and I have no idea how much damage has been done. My husband brought in orchids not attached to trees and threw sheets and blankets over a few plants, such as the tree fern. There were (dubious)reports of sleet overnight and a NWS meteorolgist found ice on his windscreen this morning, according to The Miami Herald. But, until I get home next Sunday, there's nothing I can do ...

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