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Winter in the garden
Winter came early to South Texas this year,
in fact the year 2000 had many surprises as far as weather is
concerned. Weather extremes started back in late summer when
we had record breaking highs. Temperatures went to the century
mark in the Coastal Bend for one week in September Weather
Extremes for September
and we also experienced extremely cool temperatures in October
Weather
Extremes for October making
fall feel colder than it did all last winter (1999 - 2000).
December is the month when cold temperature
really set in, many nights temperature hovered just above the
freezing mark and day time temperatures just barley made it into
the fifties. Although as the rest of the country was shivering
in the cold and freezing temperatures we were spared the worst
with only two day below freezing 32°F (0°C)
and 28°F (-2°C) both being of 5 hours or less in duration and
as luck would have it, no frost. January would be a
different story though and on Wednesday. January 3rd., temperatures
dropped to freezing just after midnight, in most areas of the
Texas Riviera and a heavy frost would follow into the early morning
hours.
Hardest hit were the tender tropicals,
especially those that were out in the open or were not protected
by a canopy or covered. All in all the bananas and papaya suffered
the most damage. The only palm I covered was the Dypsis decaryi
(Triangle Palm) as the last time we had frost I didn't cover
and it suffered about 80% damage to the leaves and took nearly
two years to recover. I learned a lesson on that one. Today (1/17/01)
temperatures are in the mid 70's (21°C) and
lows 40 -50°F (5°C/10°C), yet winter does go on, an on, an on....
It is now January 18, 2001, temperature
is 45°F (7°C) @ 7:48am. Predicted temperatures for this weekend
are 29-31°F (-1.5°C/-0.5°C)
with heavy frost. The Dypsis decaryi, as it was the only
palm I protected, shows signs of browning leaf tips. Some spotting
of leaves are found on the Adonidia merrillii, slight
bronzing of exposed Phoenix roebelenii leaves and 80%
damage to Hyophorbe lagenicaulis. All other palms are OK with
perhaps some minor leaf damage, these include, Wodyetia bifurcata,
Caryota mitis, Ravenea rivularis, Roystonea
elata, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Thrinax parviflora,
all Chamaedorea sp., Rhapis excelsa (all) and other hardy
palms as well.
With about 1 inch (2.5cm) of rain thus far this year, the ground
is well saturated and freezing temperatures are predicted for
tonight January 19-20.
Papaya frost damage
Image taken January 20, 2001 |
Banana cold damage
Image taken January 20, 2001 |
Dypsis decaryi with frost protection
Image taken January 20, 2001 |
January 20, 2001, no freeze but temperatures
dipped to 34°F (2.5°C). I did take some pictures of damage to papaya
(frost damage from January 3rd), Banana (winter cold damage only)
and Dypsis decaryi showing the frost protection I used).
January 21, 2001, temperatures high 66°F
(18.5°C) lows 37°F (3°C)
a very mild day after a cool start. All of next week should be
mild with day time temperatures in the mid 60's (18°C)
and lows in the mid to upper 50's (10°C).
Still temperatures are about 5 degrees below normal for this
time of year.
January 26, 2001 Temperatures 77°F (25°C) and 65°F (18°C) over cast skies with rain or thunder storms
in the forecast for the 27th.
Despite being protected from frost
this Dypsis dercaryi shows some cold damage to the leaves. Notice
new leaf opening in center.
Image taken 1/27/01 |
Phoenix roebelenii showing frost damage
Image taken January 30, 2001 |
January 31, 2001: As this month comes to
a close, we begin our slow warm up and the march towards spring.
The winter damage report is not all that bad. The Adonidia
merrillii (Christmas Palm) is starting to show more and more
winter cold damage, but it should recover just fine as it has
done so in the past. My biggest disappointment is the Dypsis
dercaryi (Triangle Palm). I tried to protect it from the
frost but the cold must of been too much as the leaf tips are
turning brown. although not dead but still disappointing. Although
we're not out of the woods yet, as February can being some cold
night with frost, the days however are getting longer and warmer,
barring no more heavy frost I'd say, winter is just about through.
Todays high temperature, 68°F (20°C) with
lows about 53°F (11°C). Yesterdays high was
78°F (25°C) making it the warmest day in January.
February 1. 2001: low 51°F (10°C), High 58°F
(14°C),
with rain in the forecast.
February 2, 2001: low 48°F
(8°C),
High 55°F (13°C), and rain. Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail
Palm), no damage, Ravenea rivularis
(Majesty Palm), slight leaf burn
and Caryota mitis (Fishtail Palm), no damage.
February 3rd and 4th Highs 70°F
and 40°F for the lows.
More to come later
with pictures, lets all hope for an early SPRING!
Spring
comes to South Texas, February 4th, 2001 |
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