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Olafhenny · 12-15-2010, 09:33 PM

Hi Nicolas,

wind or no wind, I cannot see how any plant can sustain that kind of damage at above freezing temperatures. It takes ice crystals, which form within cells and crush their structure to create that damage, and not even hurricane strengths winds can accomplish that at temperatures even a fraction above freezing.

Now, when the temps sink below 0^C (32^F) , wind suddenly becomes an important factor, as the faster subfreezing air brushes by the leaves, the faster it will cool and cause the formation of ice crystals within the cells of the leaf.

You are correct, when you assume. that the damage may have occurred prior to the night in question, because the damage only becomes evident after it thaws again. During the frost period the ice crystals still support the leaf structure, but when it thaws, everything crumples. – Just toss a lettuce leaf into your freezer. You will see, that it still looks okay, when you first take it out, but it will quickly turn soft and collapse thereafter.

Best,
Olaf

12-15-2010, 09:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 252,434 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Last night burned bad Hi Nicolas, wind or no wind, I cannot see how any plant can sustain that kind of damage at above freezing temperatures. It takes ice crystals, which form within cells and crush their structure to create that damage, and not even hurricane strengths winds can accomplish that at temperatures even a fraction above freezing. Now, when the temps sink below 0^C (32^F) , wind suddenly becomes an important factor, as the faster subfreezing air brushes by the leaves, the faster it will cool and cause the formation of ice crystals within the cells of the leaf. You are correct, when you assume. that the damage may have occurred prior to the night in question, because the damage only becomes evident after it thaws again. During the frost period the ice crystals still support the leaf structure, but when it thaws, everything crumples. – Just toss a lettuce leaf into your freezer. You will see, that it still looks okay, when you first take it out, but it will quickly turn soft and collapse thereafter. Best, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.