Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

Use this forum to discuss matters relating to Agave, Beschorneria, Furcraea, Hesperaloe, Hesperoyucca, Manfreda, Polianthes, Yucca and related species. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.
abborean
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Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#1

Post by abborean »

Looks like quite a few of our agavacea got a serious wacking. Even the much maligned americana got a frozen bud out by the highway. Low teens and mid single digits F since last thursday for lows. Back to normal starting tomorrow with 50s or 60s for highs the rest of the week.
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south side frozen 1418.jpg
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americana bud frozen.jpg
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MJP
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#2

Post by MJP »

Yes - the New Year brought with it a long spell (201 hours) of freezing temps. to New Hill, NC.
Sorry to see your large Agave americana ssp. americana got whacked.
I was lucky enough last year to collect pollen from one that bloomed in Raleigh - and to use said pollen to hybridize a flowering Agave victoriae-reginae.

I hope the rest of 2018 provides better weather for your garden.
Stan
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#3

Post by Stan »

That might be the most truly semi tropical looking climate,to also be so cold in winter. Sabals are natural,hot humid tropical summers,then... :eek: :M
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
abborean
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#4

Post by abborean »

Sabal palmetto and minor are native here.No damage to minor and slight damage to palmetto. Seedlings of both are a nuisance in the xeriscape. We haven't had a prolonged cold spell of this depth since I came to NC in '92.
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#5

Post by Bananaguy »

This winter has been horrible and I dug up a free Americana from Topsail November 5th and put some new growth on. Now it looks like this an hope it’s not a total loss. It looks healthy in the center and seems firm. Ends where the leaves connect to the core look healthy and are firm when squeezed.
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MJP
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#6

Post by MJP »

Cut off the damaged leaves NOW.
The agave leaves are water tight, and the rot will continue to grow toward the crown unless the damaged leaf can bleed dry.
Cut back to near the base, leaving as much healthy base as you can.
A long bread knife works great for this task.
Don't cut yourself.
abborean
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#7

Post by abborean »

MJP wrote:Yes - the New Year brought with it a long spell (201 hours) of freezing temps. to New Hill, NC.
Sorry to see your large Agave americana ssp. americana got whacked.
I was lucky enough last year to collect pollen from one that bloomed in Raleigh - and to use said pollen to hybridize a flowering Agave victoriae-reginae.

I hope the rest of 2018 provides better weather for your garden.

I appreciate your comments. Am making a pdf of all my damaged xerophytes. If I can post it here I will.
Bananaguy
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#8

Post by Bananaguy »

Mike, just cut all leaves off now. Only thing is they have been like that for a week now give or take a few more days. But definitely looked worse today. I wondered if anyone would say rot might happen guess I was hopeful leaves might somewhat bounce back closer toward core.
Bananaguy
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#9

Post by Bananaguy »

Should I remove top leaves too? Center leaves look good.
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MJP
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#10

Post by MJP »

Excellent work!

I'd remove the damaged portion of the leaves that wrap the central spear (again to keep rot from expanding its reach).
Also, I'd wrap the plant in frost protection (fleece: my wife, over the years, has donated bits of quilt batting that I use for this), then wrap it in plastic - at least until this last cold front has passed us by.

Every year, before the deep cold sets in (usually before the first week of January) I protect in this way all of my Agave victoriae-reginae and its hybrids. This way, when the next growing season arrives, leaf damage is minimal and I have pretty plants to admire all the growing season. Agave 'Oh Victory" - an A. ocahui x v-r hybrid - does not need this attention here (at least not in the past).
Bananaguy
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#11

Post by Bananaguy »

Thank you sir. Check your pm with my idea.
Stan
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#12

Post by Stan »

Keep that cover handy- I hear down to low to mid 20's even in New Orleans is coming. Even here on the west coast some very chilly day temps are getting here. Pretty late for that nowadays. At least the lows are above frost levels this time.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
Bananaguy
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#13

Post by Bananaguy »

Yea, 90% chance of rain snow mix tomorrow! Crazy weather.
Stan
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#14

Post by Stan »

It was 31 in Brownsville on the way to 28f at 7pm. Icy drizzle. In the land of Coconuts and Royal palms. Tampa Bay was to go below freezing,Orlando touch it. Miami was having a Hayward winter night! (44f) although we did make it to 65f in Haywood.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
Bananaguy
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#15

Post by Bananaguy »

Wow crazy!! Looks like everywhere is getting hit lately.
Stan
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#16

Post by Stan »

This is a huge one. Covering all of Texas- and well into Mexico,all the way to Florida. I saw where freezing temps on oil rig platforms a hundred or so miles off of New Orleans in the Gulf were seen. That this is twice already this year seems one of.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
MJP
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#17

Post by MJP »

Lots of cold wet snow yesterday.
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New Hill, North Carolina
New Hill, North Carolina
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abborean
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#18

Post by abborean »

We dodged the bullet here in the Cape Fear Region (5 miles south of Burgaw). Only precip was some sticking to the vehicles. Roads are dry. 20f though!
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#19

Post by Gee.S »

Dayum, you guys are really taking a beating!
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
Bananaguy
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#20

Post by Bananaguy »

We moved away from the snow 11 years ago. What the heck! Here’s hoping for a hot and long summer minus all the hurricanes again.
abborean
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#21

Post by abborean »

more damaged plants from the January freezw
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gentryi.JPG
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ersatz hookeri 2.JPG
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franzocinii.JPG
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abborean
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#22

Post by abborean »

and more
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thats yucca filifera (dead)
thats yucca filifera (dead)
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asperima x.JPG
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florida brittle agave.JPG
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splendens.JPG
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#23

Post by Gee.S »

Ouch! Condolences.
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
abborean
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#24

Post by abborean »

Am quite disgusted. My "hardy" diversity has been decimated.
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Re: Cold and Snowy in the coastal carolinas

#25

Post by Spination »

That's really awful. So sorry to see.
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