tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post1784449511106883133..comments2024-03-18T09:07:24.680-07:00Comments on The Farmer Fred® Rant: Citrus Protection in a Frost or FreezeFred Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-67497571270222503472019-10-12T18:51:52.368-07:002019-10-12T18:51:52.368-07:00Your combination of lights, cloth and cage should ...Your combination of lights, cloth and cage should get you through light frosts. Piling anything near the trunk, if left there, can lead to rot issues or insect hotels. You could temporarily wrap cardboard around the trunk. Temporarily. Young trees are most susceptible to freeze issues, but it usually takes two or three frosts to do damage to a young tree.Fred Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-47668190928243601432019-10-12T15:13:22.833-07:002019-10-12T15:13:22.833-07:00I'm a bit confused as it doesn't say what ...I'm a bit confused as it doesn't say what kind of dewpoint is desirable vs. dangerous, only that 22F and dry conditions are bad. <br /><br />The idea here in the comments of putting open barrels of water to absorb heat would probably work but it can also allow invasive mosquitoes (that bite during the day) to set up shop, which in 2013 wasn't much of an issue but is probably significant enough that it would be inadvisable in 2019. (Aedes' eggs can survive 6 months, near the waterline, even if dried out and later hatch.) <br /><br />The old-style Christmas lights are getting harder to find but I managed to track them down on Amazon (look for 7 watt/120 volt bulbs, E17 base, incandescent type). <br /><br />As for protecting the trunk or creating a more favorable micro-climate, what about surrounding the trunk with a tight ring of decent size rocks or decorative concrete/brick edging? Would that absorb daytime heat and help keep the tree trunk warmer? <br /><br />Lastly, if the leaves droop after the first freeze (a couple hours at 28F) is it all over for a first-year tree? My spouse and I failed to order the C9 lights in time so we used the mini incandescent kind on the tree (unfortunately they did not reach the trunk). We then placed a metal tomato plant trellis with frost blanket wrapped around the tomato trellis as a tent. As of the following day, the tree still appeared stressed (leaves drooping after several hours in sun/warm temps). At this time of year (October) our Zone 9 climate tends to be warm during the daytime (70-80) and cold at night (upper 30s to mid 40s). The tree in question is in its first year — an in-ground Dwarf Washington Navel from Four Winds Growers, Zone 9. Any advice would be appreciated as another freeze warning is in effect tonight and our C9 lights aren't expected until next week. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-75008012139862762013-08-23T23:07:18.442-07:002013-08-23T23:07:18.442-07:00My grandfather used to burn wood in a 55 gallon dr...My grandfather used to burn wood in a 55 gallon drum before nightfall, not good for an orchard but great for a couple of trees. I think a black drum filled with water would be highly effective. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-48621022076240415102011-12-03T16:41:04.099-08:002011-12-03T16:41:04.099-08:00I put five gallon buckets of water around the trun...I put five gallon buckets of water around the trunk, like the "wall of water." The "heat of fusion" plus the stored heat goes up and to the trunk. The "wall of water" is claimed to protect tomatoes to 17F.secondclasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13449701177980348625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-90816574305835106442010-11-20T20:28:25.543-08:002010-11-20T20:28:25.543-08:00Yes, the older, larger holiday bulbs put out much ...Yes, the older, larger holiday bulbs put out much more heat than the newer, smaller bulbs or LED's.Fred Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-18613703110691091792010-11-20T16:39:58.579-08:002010-11-20T16:39:58.579-08:00Why the larger Christmas lights? Do they provide ...Why the larger Christmas lights? Do they provide more warmth?MAYBELLINEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09459481721591224275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-33391213069197511342010-11-19T08:37:04.239-08:002010-11-19T08:37:04.239-08:00For citrus protection, make sure those holiday lig...For citrus protection, make sure those holiday lights are the old style large bulbs. Yes, most deciduous fruit trees need a certain number of chilling hours (hours below 45 degrees). Depending on the variety, that requirement might range from a couple hundred to over a thousand. Here in the Sacramento area, we usually get about 800 chilling hours between November and February.Fred Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00501190876515519882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073336228735412825.post-50810353933511344722010-11-19T07:35:01.419-08:002010-11-19T07:35:01.419-08:00Buying up Christmas lights at after Christmas sale...Buying up Christmas lights at after Christmas sales helps me stock up on the lights I run during freezes.<br /><br />I would rather protect the citrus and bring on the freeze to kill off some pests. Doesn't freezing temperatures help stone fruit trees and apples?MAYBELLINEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09459481721591224275noreply@blogger.com