Insulating

[alcran]

it's been quite cold up here in New York. We are expecting 3 inches of snow on top of 2 inches already there. I decided to see if snow would work as an insulator. I took a piece of cardboard and put it over the top of my one gallon pot and piled snow on top and around it. The snow is about 6 inches all around the pot. It is still snowing outside. Has anyone ever decided to try this before?

[strath76]

Hi Alcran, I haven't tried it as it doesn't snow here in Melbourne. I have read though that snow is a good insulator and offers protection for plants. I would presume that it works in the same way as an Igloo. Made of ice but provides some respite from the elements.

Your method would appear sound to me as the cardboard would stop the plants from frostburn while still providing the insulating effects. It will be interesting to see how your plants respond next season.

[alcran]

My insulation project has worked. My flava has survived.


Here are some more pictures from this spring.
Leucophylla

Truncata

Stenophylla

splendiana x [(veitchii x maxima) x veitchii]

Cold beaten cesaer

Outdoors collection

Adelae

Spatulata

Multifida

Izumiea

Ramispina

Eymae

[wijaya]

@alcran: why do you caged the CPs? To prevent attack by domestic wildlife?

Ed

[alcran]

The cage is to protect them from rabbits, squirrels, and birds. I haven't had any problems yet and hope to keep it that way.

[alcran]

Here are some new pictures from today.

Cesaer



Stenophylla



My one loss during the winter.