Two weekends ago I cut back several thousand brug seedlings that were damaged by our freeze. I also learned a valuable lesson, you really can get sick from handling brugs. I have not had a problem in the past, but I think because so many of the stems I cut back were oozing out sap, and the fact that I was wearing shorts and no shirt, was a bad combination. At first I just had puffy eyes and a major headache, but later ended up with cold like symptoms and insomnia.  It was ...

This is a continuation of yesterday's post showcasing an assortment of freeze damage plants from my yard.I'm not sure if my monstera suffered stem damage or if just the foliage was damaged. This beautiful purple orchid tree was just about ready to bloom. I know I will have to cut it back at least half this spring. Anyone who grows passion flower vines knows what a challenge it is to keep them under control. Maybe this freeze was a blessing in disguise for this one. This ...

The smell of death is the air as plants damaged by Florida's recent devastating freeze succumb to Mother Nature's wrath. The visual impact is bad enough without the need to max out the senses with the smell of decaying foliage.   I thought I would share some pictures of the ugliness in my yard. At least I have enough evergreen plants scattered around to balance out the signs of death. My dog Inga blends in well with many shades of brown the freeze has generated. Here you'll see brunfelsia ...

Last week's freeze was the biggest cold event in over 20 years according to the local media.  I'm hoping that it will be at least another 20 until we have another one!   For those of you who do not think it gets very cold in Central Florida, I thought I would share a few photos from my winter wonderland here in Clermont.Citrus really took a beating this time.  I spot checked a bunch of oranges on scattered trees and all showed signs of cold damage.I had to rely on constant watering to ...