have a couple of very big nz flax plants

got snowed on this week and a lot of the exterior
leaves got leveled

got the snow off them asap but they are still down

any thoughts about them, the leaves, springing
back upright?

any help?

thought about running a rope all around the plants
to give them a temp lift?

what is the physical mechanics going on here?

thanks

bill

Not sure what your experience might be, but my recollection is that Phormium
hybrids, like 'Sundowner', 'Apricot Queen', 'Maori Maiden' can't stand
temperatures below about 20 F.

I'd probably do what I could to protect the growing crowns, including tying
leaves up over them.

Gregg Catanese
www.sprinklerplus.com

wrote in message
...
have a couple of very big nz flax plants

got snowed on this week and a lot of the exterior
leaves got leveled

got the snow off them asap but they are still down

any thoughts about them, the leaves, springing
back upright?

any help?

thought about running a rope all around the plants
to give them a temp lift?

what is the physical mechanics going on here?

thanks

bill

"Gregg Catanese" wrote in message
ink.net...
Not sure what your experience might be, but my recollection is that
Phormium
hybrids, like 'Sundowner', 'Apricot Queen', 'Maori Maiden' can't stand
temperatures below about 20 F.

I'd probably do what I could to protect the growing crowns, including
tying
leaves up over them.


As long as drainage is good, you could very well have root hardiness
somewhat below that temp, although the foliar growth maybe damaged. Wait
until all chance of severe weather is past and temperatures (including the
soil) warms up. Then cut the foliage back to the ground. If the roots remain
viable then the top growth will resprout. Looks pretty funky for a few
months, but by midsummer, it should look like a phormium again.
Unforunately, snow damage (bending) doesn't always rectify itself. If the
top growth hasn't been cold damaged - you'll know, the blades will shrivel
and turn brown/black - then you can trim back the blades most affected.
Almost like thinning the plant out..

I'm looking at that for a large 6'x'6 one myself. Temperatures into the
teens last week, then snow, then an ice storm.. Luckily, the smaller ones
seem to be unaffected.

pam - gardengal


wrote in message
...
have a couple of very big nz flax plants

got snowed on this week and a lot of the exterior
leaves got leveled

got the snow off them asap but they are still down

any thoughts about them, the leaves, springing
back upright?

any help?

thought about running a rope all around the plants
to give them a temp lift?

what is the physical mechanics going on here?

thanks

bill

Exactly where on the planet are you?

Are you trying to grow them where they normally don't survive the winter?

Most Phormium cultivars cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.


wrote in message
...
have a couple of very big nz flax plants

got snowed on this week and a lot of the exterior
leaves got leveled

got the snow off them asap but they are still down

any thoughts about them, the leaves, springing
back upright?

any help?

thought about running a rope all around the plants
to give them a temp lift?

what is the physical mechanics going on here?

thanks

bill

"Cereoid-UR12-" wrote in message
om...
Exactly where on the planet are you?

Are you trying to grow them where they normally don't survive the winter?

Most Phormium cultivars cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.


They are reliably winter hardy to zone 8, 20F. Many of the hybrid cultivars
(with P. cookianum parentage) are somewhat hardier, specially if drainage is
very good. These originate from high mountainous, even alpine, areas of NZ
and can tolerate quite a lot of cold weather.

pam - gardengal

pac nw

well they have survived at least 10 winters and i know it
has been in the 20's every now and then for periods of time

spent 2+ hours yesterday ropping and belting up the leaves
and cutting dead leaves off the bottom

left it bundled up

good idea or bad?

only did it to one of the plants

plan/theory is to gradually release the ropes over a couple
weeks hoping that this will restore the uprightness

good or bad idea?

bill



On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 04:55:02 GMT, "Cereoid-UR12-"
wrote:

Exactly where on the planet are you?

Are you trying to grow them where they normally don't survive the winter?

Most Phormium cultivars cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.

You still haven't answered the question you were asked, stubborn Billybob.

Exactly where on the planet are you?

How about telling us which USDA hardiness zone you are in too?

**************

Bundling up the leaves is a bad idea and a waste of time. The ropes
rigmarole is a waste of time.

It is far more important to protect the rootstock from cold. Try mulching
the plants instead.


wrote in message
...
pac nw

well they have survived at least 10 winters and i know it
has been in the 20's every now and then for periods of time

spent 2+ hours yesterday ropping and belting up the leaves
and cutting dead leaves off the bottom

left it bundled up

good idea or bad?

only did it to one of the plants

plan/theory is to gradually release the ropes over a couple
weeks hoping that this will restore the uprightness

good or bad idea?

bill



On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 04:55:02 GMT, "Cereoid-UR12-"
wrote:

Exactly where on the planet are you?

Are you trying to grow them where they normally don't survive the winter?

Most Phormium cultivars cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.

seattle

about 200 feet from puget sound

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 22:06:46 GMT, "Cereoid-UR12-"
wrote:

You still haven't answered the question you were asked, stubborn Billybob.

Exactly where on the planet are you?

How about telling us which USDA hardiness zone you are in too?

**************

Bundling up the leaves is a bad idea and a waste of time. The ropes
rigmarole is a waste of time.

It is far more important to protect the rootstock from cold. Try mulching
the plants instead.


wrote in message
.. .
pac nw

well they have survived at least 10 winters and i know it
has been in the 20's every now and then for periods of time

spent 2+ hours yesterday ropping and belting up the leaves
and cutting dead leaves off the bottom

left it bundled up

good idea or bad?

only did it to one of the plants

plan/theory is to gradually release the ropes over a couple
weeks hoping that this will restore the uprightness

good or bad idea?

bill



On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 04:55:02 GMT, "Cereoid-UR12-"
wrote:

Exactly where on the planet are you?

Are you trying to grow them where they normally don't survive the winter?

Most Phormium cultivars cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.