Frost Question

[William-Bacon]

Alright, I have 6 plants, and the one that's farthest along has probably a week or so left to go, the others at LEAST two weeks.

They look great and it is exciting, however the mercury's been dipping below 32° for the last three nights!

I've been doing what I can for covering them up at night, but I really need to know, if it keeps freezing, how long can they hold out? How much damage can light frost cause my buds?

It would be a huge bummer to have to chop them down early, but an even bigger one to lose everything and have the buds go to shit!

Thanks for any advice!

[Harry Balzonya]

If they freeze the trics pop. And they are junk. Try to put four stakes around each plant and cover with a bulap or cloth covering. Dont use plastic it doesnt breath. You can also make stryofoam inclosure's. Good luck,if you keep them from fosting they should be fine for quite some time. just dont let the covering touch the plant.Peace

[OldSkool1010]

keep a close eye on the weather forecasts and take it one day at a time is about all you can hope for. Good idea covering them to keep the frost off. If you're able you could add some buckets of water all around your plants...or gallon jugs full of water even. They will collect heat during the daytime and slowly release it at night...passive collectors.

That might give you another week or two as your temps plunge.

[William-Bacon]

Thanks alot guys. Your advice gives me confidence. I'll be happy if I can just keep the one going another week. That way I wouldn't feel like a failure.

[Moosehead]

I have had my plants survive -4C (26F) without being covered. What makes a difference is location. If the morning sun hits the plant before it thaws out it's game over. If, however , you are growing among trees and the sun doesn't hit until later in the day they will be fine. I think the fast thaw is what does the damage.

[newbie01]

That might be some good logic, with the slow thaw not harming them moosehead.

[Mr. Jane]

And when all else fails... harvest early...

Like others said, put some stakes around the plants and drape some cloth around them. You could use plastic, but make sure they can breath.

[C12]

also, low lying, flat areas tend to be the coldest. the heat rises and the cold sinks. the colder air almost flows like water and settles in lower areas. if your plants are on the side or top of a hill they are less prone to freezing.


also giving the plants alot of water before a freeze helps, the water evaporates and makes a slight temperature difference. it will help prevent plants from freezing.

[devilishfatcat]

Originally Posted by C12

also, low lying, flat areas tend to be the coldest. the heat rises and the cold sinks. the colder air almost flows like water and settles in lower areas. if your plants are on the side or top of a hill they are less prone to freezing.


also giving the plants alot of water before a freeze helps, the water evaporates and makes a slight temperature difference. it will help prevent plants from freezing.

Yeyyy i should be fine living on top ofg a small hill then lol..
I dont know if thats actually true though

Originally Posted by Mr. Jane

And when all else fails... harvest early...

Like others said, put some stakes around the plants and drape some cloth around them. You could use plastic, but make sure they can breath.

Id use hemp hahaha

D,

[Westcoastgirl]

My first year but mine have 1-3 weeks left also and I'm a bit worried about frost as well, been covering mine with a tent (floor cut out) dont know if its a feasible idea for you but it works for me.

[devilishfatcat]

Originally Posted by Westcoastgirl

My first year but mine have 1-3 weeks left also and I'm a bit worried about frost as well, been covering mine with a tent (floor cut out) dont know if its a feasible idea for you but it works for me.

Thats a very very very bloody good idea!!

i wouldnt cut anything out of it though..

Id stick the tent poles in the ground making the normal sort of shape over your plant.

then place the tent on the normal way up (bottom facing down, roof facing up) or it and just secure the best i could.. i might actually try this... hhhmmm
i also just had an idea for heat, dont know if it would work but hey, here goes.

Light a candle (not under the tent obviously) in some sort of shed if you have one (or i suppose somewhere it isnt just going to go out).

Suspend some sort of flexible piping (hose pipe) directly over the flame (but so it doesnt burn) and run it out to underneath the tent... hopefully if it would work the hot air would move through the pipe and into the tent...

Just some random little creative idea.. no idea if itll work or not.. o well!

D.