Posted by Austin, Little Rock
on 1/15/2009, 5:29 pm
70.232.76.197
NWS lowered the temp down to 7F for tonight! Local forecasters are calling for 11 and 12. Regardless, it will be the coldest night in 5 years. January 2003 gave us 7 degrees. If the cloud cover hangs on tonight, it will stay warmer. If not, well, it could be the 7 degrees NWS is predicting. I'm really hoping for the cloud cover...really hoping. We even say a little flurry action this morning too.
So, what have I done you ask? I covered my butia with two blankets. This provides a little protection to the top of the palm only. I couldn't wrap it around the palm due to its size. Then, I put two floodlights shining up the trunk and dangled c7 Christmas lights around the fronds. I noticed a big temp difference after it was on for a while...the blanket trapping some heat and spreading it horizontally. The wind is supposed to die down so that will help too.
I wrapped one of my trachies (the one in the front yard, 4 footer) with towels all the way up the trunk. The others (in the backyard, 7 and 8 footers) can't be protected.
My robusta is wrapped in a nice tarp and very snug there.
And, my three waggies have a blanket thrown over them. All palms are mulched fairly well.
I hope this isn't doomsday for my plants. 
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