Here Goes Nothing
Originally uploaded by mikeysklar
This post would probably be more appropriately titled like the Tron line "Here goes something, here comes nothing". I am trying a new experiment to save our three blossoming apricot trees. I filled 5 gallon buckets with 105 degree water from out hot spring. Then placed the buckets under our apricot trees. Tonight the temperature is supposed to be in the upper 20s and I'm worried we could lose the blossoms (which means no apricots this year). If I am lucky the warm water might keep the trees warm and humid enough to avoid freezing the blossoms overnight. We have had high winds or I would have just wrapped the trees with a special fabric we purchased.
7 comments:
I hope it works out. We had an unexpected and highly unusual frost hit, I believe, three years ago. It took two years for our prolific dwarf lemon tree to return to production. I've learned to just put a blanket over it now (I realize with the high winds that's not an option for you).
of all the myriad ways i've heard of to save blossoms, using christmas lights intrigues me the most, although i've never tried it! may spring come soon...
Good luck, we have a 50 or 60 year old apricot tree in the yard that has not fruited since 2007 because of the overly optimistic flowering. It is sort of tucked into a south facing corner of our house which helps, but it really is luck up here whether it fruits or not. But when it does, hoo boy we are awash in apricots. In fact, I am going outside to yell at it to stay dormant for another month.
The high winds increase the chance of increasing wind chill. Perhaps it is too late to erect posts around it with burlap to shield the trees?
Wrap and tie the wrap on (against the winds). The heat potential from your water is insufficient to last through the night; and if it is the slightest bit windy, the windy will simply blow the heat somewhere other than your trees.
Of course, if tonight is the freeze, my comments won't be timely.
Oh crap... I hope it works out.
Making a little enclosure with burlap, blankets, plastic or whatever then putting the hot water inside that might help in winds, otherwise I think you're out of luck.
I'm hoping the universe sees fit to spare your trees.
The weather spared us last night. The forecast was much colder than the actual temperature a mere 35F.
We might make it through this yet.
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