Got down to 29 F — what to expect?

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
So temperature got down to 29 degrees Fahrenheit this morning on my outdoor grow. Plants looked covered in frost, but too early to tell damage and I had to go to work. What can I expect? Will they be mush when I get home? If they are, is any of that still usable?
 

nurrgle

Well-Known Member
It will be mushy today if you did damage.

You could use it for edibles but the main issue is the freezing causes cells to rupture and then things turn to mush. I would assume you would end up with a lot of chlorophyl in run and possible a low return of sub par product.

I am no extract artist these days though. There might be a new process that would work out.
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
It will be mushy today if you did damage.

You could use it for edibles but the main issue is the freezing causes cells to rupture and then things turn to mush. I would assume you would end up with a lot of chlorophyl in run and possible a low return of sub par product.

I am no extract artist these days though. There might be a new process that would work out.
My wife says the plants look ok. At what point is mush a real threat?
 

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
29 isn't that bad unless its for an extended time. the plants have to freeze pretty hard for cellular damage to happen, and it will be obvious when it does. cold nights will slow down growth a little, and if it looks like it's going to get much colder, or keep getting below freezing at night, it might be time to chop, because you're not going to get a lot of progress at that point
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
29 isn't that bad unless its for an extended time. the plants have to freeze pretty hard for cellular damage to happen, and it will be obvious when it does. cold nights will slow down growth a little, and if it looks like it's going to get much colder, or keep getting below freezing at night, it might be time to chop, because you're not going to get a lot of progress at that point
Thanks. What do you consider the “do not cross” threshold temperature-wise?
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
There isn't one too many factors from lay of the land to high humidity ...
If you are seeing a good freeze coming hit the gas pedal on your trimming scissors
It’s probably going to be getting down to the high 20s again each night until the weekend. I guess I should chop some as a hedge...
 

Nizza

Well-Known Member
Where I live it’s best to use containers outdoors to dodge the random frosts because we’ve had decent weather all the way through November on and off. Perhaps an insulated shed or an indoor grow tent would help prolong the grow season depending on plant size you can dolly them in and out of whatever you have. It’s a lot of work but sometimes two weeks makes a huge difference
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
Some people water them with warm water then insulate the ground to keep roots warm, if they know a chill is in the future.
Would that help prevent plant cells from exploding above ground?
Also, how warm should the water be and what’s good to use as insulation?
 

Rob Roy

Well-Known Member
Would that help prevent plant cells from exploding above ground?
Also, how warm should the water be and what’s good to use as insulation?
I'm of the opinion warmer roots is a factor in keeping a plant from freezing, of course the duration and the intensity of a frost will counter that. But often a degree or two warmer can make a difference. Also any slightly warmer microclimate effect you can create is worth trying for. Nothing is magic though. if it's cold enough, shit freezes.

Leaves, cardboard, hay, etc. all have insulation properties.
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
I cover my plant in a trash bag as the sun goes down if I’m worried about frost and when I take it off in the morning you can feel the heat from it.
I’m trying to think, but I might have read somewhere that plastic in contact with leaves will hurt the plant?
I'm of the opinion warmer roots is a factor in keeping a plant from freezing, of course the duration and the intensity of a frost will counter that. But often a degree or two warmer can make a difference. Also any slightly warmer microclimate effect you can create is worth trying for. Nothing is magic though. if it's cold enough, shit freezes.

Leaves, cardboard, hay, etc. all have insulation properties.
so should it be hot to the touch, warm, lukewarm?
If their auto's, light em a fire lol
not autos, tho I may try those next year to avoid all this hassle with bud rot and frosts!
 

Mrs. Weedstein

Well-Known Member
Just chopped the cola in this photo plus another one as a hedge. It’s not fully mature yet but I figure something’s better than nothing. Between the rain and the freezing temperatures, there’s no way I am going to bring this plant to peak potency, LOL. Bad year to start growing bud, I guess, tho I didn’t have any problems until late September...
 

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