7
votes
Which soil types are the best and worst thermal insulators?
I think you are looking the problem from a wrong point of view.
Thermal insulator is not a good term and also not good way to have warmer soil.
First fact: the soil temperature. The surface ...
- 14.7k
7
votes
Accepted
Does wind chill affect plants?
In general, wind chill on its own isn't an issue for hardy plants; however, wind chill combined with below freezing temperatures may cause problems in a few hardy plant stems and leaves. Air in winter ...
- 135k
5
votes
Accepted
Can eggplants survive down to 33 °F (1°C)?
It is difficult to say. Humans feel temperatures differently than a thermometer, but also the plants do not feel temperatures like thermometers.
If it is just a very short period, and then suddenly ...
- 14.7k
4
votes
Accepted
Should I water new sod in the winter?
Timing's important, it's not clear how long ago the sod was put down, but as your weather is now turning wintry, it would not be a great idea to water it. In any case, if the landscaping company ...
- 135k
4
votes
How warm should soil be for propagation of hardwood black currant cuttings?
Probably the main reason you found no temperature recommendation is because currant cuttings are often propagated outdoors:
In late fall, cuttings (from the current year) are placed deep into garden ...
- 16.9k
4
votes
Which soil types are the best and worst thermal insulators?
To follow on from what Mr. Catenazzi wrote, during the winter in cold areas you WANT to keep the soil frozen so that it doesn't heave during periodic thaws. This can involve waiting until the soil ...
- 20.4k
4
votes
Which crops or vegetables can withstand 40 degrees Celsius?
Many days this past summer were over 40 °C (103 °F) here in subtropical Queensland (Australia).
Tomatoes, capsicums/peppers, eggplants and cucumber were all really productive under shade cloth, ...
- 131
4
votes
Can eggplants survive down to 33 °F (1°C)?
There are a few conditions to consider with temperature and fruiting plants.
Below a certain temperature, fruit will not set on a flower. For eggplants this threshold seems to be night temperatures ...
- 1,479
3
votes
Should I make a mini-greenhouse for my temperature-sensitive bonsai?
Fukien Tea is a tropical plant and is one of the few species that can be successfully grown indoor as a bonsai. However, keep in mind indoor bonsai is much more difficult than growing outdoor bonsai.
...
- 13.2k
3
votes
Saving cyclamen frozen in pots outside?
Depending on the species/cultivar of cyclamen, it may or may not be resistant to freezing temperatures.
What you can do: Place it in a sheltered spot where it won’t freeze/thaw too quickly, and wit ...
- 51.9k
3
votes
Saving cyclamen frozen in pots outside?
I would do nothing. Cyclamens should resist to freeze. Maybe you could keep near the wall, but I would not bring them inside: too much shock. The cold storm should end soon, so the plant will "...
- 14.7k
3
votes
Does "two weeks before the last frost" mean when the ground is still frozen?
No, it doesn't. If the ground is frozen, you're a long way until the last frost.
Frost is an icy substance that forms on the ground, plants, car windshields, and things. It tends to form in the early ...
- 18.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Does "two weeks before the last frost" mean when the ground is still frozen?
No, it does not mean when the ground is frozen; it means before your last frost date. Frost and frozen ground are not quite the same thing. This answer here, though it's actually about when to cut ...
- 135k
3
votes
Which crops or vegetables can withstand 40 degrees Celsius?
I don't think it's the actual temperature in and of itself that you need to be worried about, as to whether or not plants can survive in it. For instance, in some areas, people go on about how nothing ...
- 18.5k
3
votes
How should I care for freeze damaged tomato plants?
I'm sure you worked it out, but yes, if the stems were alive, and the fruits were not damaged, the vines should leaf out again, and the fruit ripen. Thinning the fruit some, and cutting back the vine ...
- 51.9k
3
votes
Accepted
Is it safe to bring plants inside in the middle of winter?
Bringing the plants inside will likely wake them up, they will start growing and any attempt to put them back out will be detrimental.
If you have snow, the better idea would be to cover them deeply ...
- 21.2k
3
votes
Bay Leaf heat tolerance
I think you will likely have a problem. Read the Ecology section of the Wiki page for Laurus nobilis and note how the bay tree disappeared from the Mediterranean as natural forests as that climate ...
- 21.2k
3
votes
Ginkgo Biloba (Autumn Gold) leaves curling up and turning pale / yellow
The faded yellow colour is what happens in autumn to the foliage,but this can happen earlier (as with your tree) if its not getting enough water; drought stress means the tree will sacrifice its ...
- 135k
3
votes
Chilling requirements stone fruit/apple scion wood etc/cuttings
A fridge will do - no freezer required.
Maintaining temperature between 34-40 °F (or "normal refrigerator temperatures") is generally recommended. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4
Keep ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
Does wind chill affect plants?
Not neccessarily - in fact often the opposite.
Wind Chill only affects us because we need to keep our bodies at a temperature of about 37 degrees centigrade - without a "core temperature" above ...
- 4,838
2
votes
Does wind chill affect plants?
I'd like to address this question from a physicist's point of view - sorry this is a bit long.
First important thing: heat moves from warm to cold; and the greater the temperature difference, the ...
- 121
2
votes
Does wind chill affect plants?
It depends.
Stems, trunks, branches are usually not affected, they are not humid, so no significant heat loss or humid loss.
For leaves I'm less sure. Winds remove humidity (as written by Bamboo, ...
- 14.7k
2
votes
What is the ideal Daylight Time for Herbs, Tomatoes and Peppers?
Tomatoes and peppers need around 23-30 DLI (daily light interval) worth of light depending on how old they are (older = towards higher end). You should invest in a PAR meter (I find this one here is a ...
- 211
2
votes
Does "two weeks before the last frost" mean when the ground is still frozen?
Since I am actively buying seeds from various sources, I came accross the same directions for planting/sowing as you did, and from many vendors.
My understanding is that 'frost' means 'the lowest air ...
- 5,850
2
votes
Accepted
Can a dark but warm environment put plants into dormancy?
No; the conditions you describe are highly likely to kill a Juniper - they expect to be cold for some of the year, and a protracted absence of light for a green plant spells death. I'm not sure what ...
- 135k
2
votes
Can a dark but warm environment put plants into dormancy?
No, the basic cause which triggers dormancy is because the speed of chemical reactions is strongly dependent on temperature.
If a plant is kept warm and in permanent darkness, it will attempt to keep ...
- 11.5k
2
votes
Accepted
Are clay pots better than plastic ones in hot temperatures?
Keep in mind that soil in clay pot will dry out much faster than soil in plastic pot.
I would stick with plastic pots but you could switch to white pots instead of black. This is because black ...
- 1,948
2
votes
Accepted
Can I move a flat of Spotted Dead Nettle outside in cold temperatures?
No, you would need to harden them off first. The plants inside are accustomed to warmer conditions, and will not respond well to being placed outdoors in much colder conditions; your existing ...
- 135k
2
votes
Accepted
Chilling requirements stone fruit/apple scion wood etc/cuttings
As I understand it I should be taking cuttings of my stone fruit and
keeping them chilled over winter to graft in early spring? What
temperature do the cuttings need to be kept at? (I'm interested in
...
- 1,294
2
votes
Valley vs Hillside Valley vs Mountain Temps
Probably, yes you will the colder spot around. But a lot depends on how the sun is shining on your place and where the trees are. Trees have another effect too. They can block/slow the cold air (and ...
- 2,913
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible