Cold snap chat: Ask experts about the weather, how to protect your plants

WPTV Meteorologist Tyler Mauldin and Mounts Botanical Garden Director R. Allen Sistrunk will answer your cold weather questions.

3rd & 7 37yd

Some of the coldest air in a while coming our way John. Wind Chill Advisory tonight, Freeze Watches tomorrow night into Friday morning.

by Tyler Mauldin 2/18/2015 10:38:31 PM
I have a banana plant that's 10 months old in ground. Will it be ok? Anything I should do for it?

by Todd 2/18/2015 10:38:42 PM
Bananas should be fine and survive wih no worry!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:39:23 PM
Are king sages susceptible to the cold?

by Ray 2/18/2015 10:39:37 PM
King Sagos are very hardy!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:40:08 PM
Which tropical ornamentals are most susceptible to the cold?

by Gardener 2/18/2015 10:40:37 PM
Tha's a broad question.....all tropical plants are succepable to cold...but many of the plants we grow here are subtropical and temparate......true tropicals like Cocao, many orchids and some fruit trees like mango can be cold damaged

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:42:55 PM
I have a gardenia bush that is starting to bloom. Should I cover it?

by Rosemarie Lembo James 2/18/2015 10:43:35 PM
Your gardenia should be j
ust fine!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:44:16 PM
I live in Vero beach. Do I need to bring potted plants under cover?

by Connienv 2/18/2015 10:44:21 PM
Vero is going to be pretty cold...I'd bring them in for safety's sake.

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:45:34 PM
Will N. Fla have to worry about orange trees etc or no

by desker2674 2/18/2015 10:47:20 PM
I would say so Desker. Temperatures will certainly be below freezing in North Florida.

by Tyler Mauldin 2/18/2015 10:48:34 PM
I have orchids, avocado , blueberry and air plants. Do they have to be covered?

by Jack 2/18/2015 10:48:54 PM
Under Armour Cold Gear plus sweats, Geoff.

by Tyler Mauldin 2/18/2015 10:50:22 PM
Avacado and Blueberries will be OK.....Orchid are another ..wrap the ones in trees with burlap to be safe

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:51:02 PM
I live in Wellington. Should large potted diffenbachia and rose plants be moved inside?

by Sue Cline 2/18/2015 10:51:43 PM
Diffenbachia inside...roses left outside!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:52:21 PM
Coconut and spindle palms in pots. What do I do as they are too big to move though they are close to the house.

by Marilyn 2/18/2015 10:52:28 PM
They should be fine!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:53:08 PM
Banana tree has no fruit yet if that makes a difference- thanks

by Todd 2/18/2015 10:53:15 PM
Bananas will be OK!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:53:27 PM
I've brought in all 40 of my orchids and flowering plants. What about my stag horns. I have 4. Will they be ok?

by MaryHowarth 2/18/2015 10:53:37 PM
Staghorns will be fine :-)

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:54:00 PM
What about Gardenias?

by Evonala 2/18/2015 10:54:08 PM
Gardenias are all OK!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:54:35 PM
I have sprouting Jalepenos and Green Beans, I live on the water in Hobe Sound, should I bring them in?

by Daniel 2/18/2015 10:54:45 PM
Youir area will be very cold...I'd bring them in..

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:55:12 PM
Does Putting a sheet over my pineapples and bananas help?

by Clwhyi97 2/18/2015 10:55:25 PM
It will be un
neccessary

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:55:59 PM
Hello I live Boynton beach just east of 95 should I cover my bonsai trees money tree, Fukien tree, elm trees and many others .also what about water then they are a little dry now ?
Thanks George

by George 2/18/2015 10:56:20 PM
No cover needed! Water water water!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:56:38 PM
I have 3 year old mangosteens in Royal Palm Beach? Do I need to take any precautions?

by Moe 2/18/2015 10:56:56 PM
BRING THEM IN!!!! super tropical!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:57:25 PM
Great questions everyone! Keep them coming!

by Tyler Mauldin 2/18/2015 10:58:05 PM
I live in Boynton, I have many small tomato, pepper and sunflower plants. I also have a few eggplant , bean and zucchini plants. I just planted them so they are very small, about 4-5 inches high. Do they need protection? I can't afford row covers or things they sell at Home Depot if I need to cover them it has to be something I would have on hand. Thank you very much for advice.

by Charlie 2/18/2015 10:58:19 PM
Newspaer should work.......they are very tender to the cold

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:58:56 PM
I have a lemon tree with MANY blooms what temp should they be covered?

by karen 2/18/2015 10:59:04 PM
low 30s

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:59:16 PM
If I water my plants tonight, will that protect them from the cold?

by Tom 2/18/2015 10:59:38 PM
It will defintely help them survive the cold

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 10:59:56 PM
I have too many orchids to bring in- how can I keep them safe from the cold?

by Mary Alice 2/18/2015 11:00:04 PM
Say a prayer! Cover them with burlap, if you are able

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 11:01:06 PM
Bougainvillea ok with cold?

by Ruth 2/18/2015 11:01:15 PM
Absolutely!!

by Allen Sistrunk 2/18/2015 11:01:38 PM