Southern California is expecting its first "cold storm" after a beautiful fall with sunny warm but not too hot days and moderate night temperatures. Lots and lots of cymbidium spikes are already showing bud spacing. We may not get the hail or freezing temperatures but it will not be sunny days and moderate nights. (according to the National Weather Service)What preparations will I make for our plants and flowers? Spiking cymbidium plants produce better quality flowers for me when they are under solid cover, fiberglass or plastic. The cymbidiums that are not spiking or just starting to spike enjoy the good rain water. They are out in the shade house waiting for a good soaking and I will let the automatic irrigation water them today, then turn the sprinklers off.
If freezing temperatures are in the forecast, I accidentally discovered that good old (not LED) Christmas lighting will keep tender plants warm as well as sparkly through the night.
The hail shown in the picture was from March 11. 2006 when we had a hail storm that covered our whole block and didn't melt for 3 - 4 days! It looked like a winter wonderland but very chilly. Inexpensive box or oscillating stand fans are very helpful. They keep the air moving over plants in covered areas, without damaging tender spikes or shoots. Just be careful to place them in dry covered areas and not too close to the plants, a breeze is all they need.
Keep warm.
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