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Aug.
Q. How can one prevent frost damage to strawberries? Would spraying with a
mist of water be beneficial?
A. Applying water is beneficial, but it can get complicated. Water will
often fend off a light frost. However, when a freeze occurs, you must be able to
keep applying a coating of water to the plants, even as the ice builds up, to
prevent the temperatures of the plant tissues from dropping below freezing. If
you stop, then temperature will drop and the protection is lost.
The simplest way to protect strawberries on a frosty night is to cover them with
the heavier weights of floating row cover. This will reduce heat escaping from
the soil and can provide a few degrees of protection, which is often enough.
Remember to allow the soil to warm, uncovered, during the day and then cover the
plants late in the day.
March
Subject: Yellow palms
I have a couple of large Areca palms , that we bought about a month
ago, that are getting yellow and brown tips. Is this due to the chlorine in the
water or some other problem?
Answer: You have probably over watered your palms, let them get a bit on the
dry side (not too dry) between weekly waterings. They can be damaged by high chlorine
levels but it usually would take longer to show any effect.
If you want to be safe, let your water set out overnight to allow the chlorine
to evaporate, that will take care of that concern.
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Subject: Cold damage
to Plant Doctor
Help! I live in Eagle, Colorado (30 miles west of Vail).
I have a rubber plant that is maybe 15+ years old. Our front door was left wide
open for several hours one day (my plant was in the entry). Needless to say, it
got very cold and many of the leaves have dried and fallen off. I have given it
Miracle Grow drops in it's water and kept it in a warm, sunny room though it's
been mostly cloudy in Eagle for about 2 weeks now. Some of the outer most leaves
seem to be lifting and looking less 'stressed'. A lot of the lower, inside
leaves are gone. Is there anything else I can do? It reached out about 3 feet
either side of the planter and is (was) about 3-4 feet tall (from the top of the
dirt) and was very full. I can't loose it...please help. Thank you! Janet.
Answer:
Your Rubber plant (Ficus.Decora) has cold damage, often but not always fatal.
First of all never feed a sick plant, it will just make it worse. You need to
cut off any damaged areas and treat the plant as you always have, with a bit
less water to compensate for the lost leaves. If you think some roots may have
frozen, you will need to prune them also. Good Luck. RJ.
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