Bananas.org - View Single Post - Little Greenhouse Enough for a Few Freezes?

Olafhenny · 11-16-2013, 11:18 PM

With all due respect, Janet, if your mother plant froze up previously, it has taken more than
briefly a couple of degrees below freezing. The cold temperatures have to be low enough
and last long enough to penetrate into the leaves to form ice crystals to destroy the leaves
from within. See my experiments here:
Experiment: How much cold can a banana take?

Moisture outside of the leaves makes not a smidgen of difference. At the contrary, citrus
growers down south sprinkle their trees with water in order to protect them from (light)
frost. The warmer water actually shields the fruit and leaves, by absorbing cold (negative
heat) in the freezing process. I am afraid you are stuck with providing heating or do
some other form of wintering, if you want to protect your plants.

11-16-2013, 11:18 PM	#9 (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 : 252,888 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Little Greenhouse Enough for a Few Freezes? With all due respect, Janet, if your mother plant froze up previously, it has taken more than briefly a couple of degrees below freezing. The cold temperatures have to be low enough and last long enough to penetrate into the leaves to form ice crystals to destroy the leaves from within. See my experiments here: Experiment: How much cold can a banana take? Moisture outside of the leaves makes not a smidgen of difference. At the contrary, citrus growers down south sprinkle their trees with water in order to protect them from (light) frost. The warmer water actually shields the fruit and leaves, by absorbing cold (negative heat) in the freezing process. I am afraid you are stuck with providing heating or do some other form of wintering, if you want to protect your plants. __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.