View Full Version : Extra 7 degrees goes a long way
tophersmith
07-30-2008, 08:22 AM
This application opens up quite a few new plants to my garden. I can hardly wait for it's release.
Spray Improves Plants’ Cold Tolerance By 2 To Over 9 Degrees Fahrenheit
saltydad
07-30-2008, 11:13 AM
Sounds amazing. Could you post a link?
buzzwinder
07-30-2008, 11:19 AM
Howard, Chris posted the link in a thread titled Freeze-Pruf. looks promsing :bananas_b
Randy4ut
07-30-2008, 12:03 PM
Sounds amazing. Could you post a link?
Here's a link to what I believe Chris was referring. I am currently trying to touch base with Dr. Francko about this product and try and see when we might see it on the market....
Hardy Palm and Subtropical Board: A different approach from David Francko! (http://members3.boardhost.com/HardyPalm/msg/1217354461.html)
tophersmith
07-30-2008, 12:10 PM
Here's a link to what I believe Chris was referring. I am currently trying to touch base with Dr. Francko about this product and try and see when we might see it on the market....
Hardy Palm and Subtropical Board: A different approach from David Francko! (http://members3.boardhost.com/HardyPalm/msg/1217354461.html)
Randy,
I'm way ahead of you, I spoke with him while I was making the post and he believes it will be soon. 1 gallon of concentrate would go for about $20, this would make 5 gallons of solution. I can't wait hopefully it will be out by October.
saltydad
07-30-2008, 01:10 PM
Here's the entire press release from U of Ala.
University of Alabama News (http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2008/jul08/spray070808.htm)
Hope he has better luck getting this to market than he's had with the "Upham Giant".
norteno
07-30-2008, 02:30 PM
Wow, I could leave my basjoos in full leaf outdoors most years in our zone. I have to rely on you guys to let us know when this is on the market because I GOTTA get some. I wonder how it is on ferns?
tophersmith
07-30-2008, 02:56 PM
Wow, I could leave my basjoos in full leaf outdoors most years in our zone. I have to rely on you guys to let us know when this is on the market because I GOTTA get some. I wonder how it is on ferns?
It does best on waterbased plants like Bananas and Cannas, though I would imagine ferns could definately benefit from it as well.
51st state
07-31-2008, 02:30 AM
I hope he's ready for export orders. I'm well up for trying some of that. Could do with it ready for this winter
Randy4ut
08-01-2008, 05:18 AM
I have been thinking about this and sure would like to talk to Dr. Francko in person. Even if you were able to get 9 degrees of added protection, on a banana plant, say, that would still not be enough to get it through in my area. I wonder if the product is "transient"? I mean, if applied to the leaves and pstem, will it migrate down into the mat and/or corms to increase their hardiness? I would like it is only good at protecting what it is sprayed on. If it would increase the hardiness of the corm, then that would be great, I just don't see it moving like that inside the plant.
Am I making any sense? Let me try another way. If I used this product on a banana that is really rated a zone 9a plant, and the temps dropped down below freezing and I got another 9 degrees of protection, that is roughly protected to about 23F, before the leaves died off, I still have nights that dropped into the teens, then would the banana be lost? Now if the product gave the corm an added 9 degrees and it was planted and mulched well, then it would more than likely survive. Does that explain my question any better?
Let me know what you folks are thinking on this... Thanks... And sorry for not being able to write what I am thinking!!!!
Bananaman88
08-01-2008, 06:30 AM
Randy,
What you're saying makes perfect sense. I think the word you were looking for was "translocate" which is what we say systemic insecticides or a herbicide like Round-Up does. You spray it on the foliage and it is taken in by the plant and translocated throughout the plant and down into the roots. It's hard to say what this product will do. It seems to me like it may act similar to an antidessicant and probably only works, as you said, on the parts that it is sprayed on. It would definitely be worth speaking with the good Doctor and see if this has been evaluated. I think I could even make good use of this product in the Houston area. The cool weather we get here in Jan-Feb is usually enough to knock my Dw. Cavendish, SDC, and other bananas like zebrina, and laterita back pretty badly. I'd think it would help them to get through the winter better. This will be a very popular product if it works as reported.
Randy4ut
08-01-2008, 08:20 AM
Brent,
Thanks for being able to put the correct word in my mouth. I, too, think I could use it here in my area, but not on my bananas. I would probably use it on smaller, less established marginal palms until they had more time to get growing. Don't think my Queen palm would be a candidate, but a smaller Butia that needed protection for its first couple of years should benefit. Again, appreciate the correct wording for what my mind wants to say, but not educated enough to say it!!! LOL
Bananaman88
08-01-2008, 11:39 AM
Oh, I think you're plenty educated, Randy. We all have trouble thinking of the right words sometimes. Sometimes I think I'm losing it when I can't think of the word I'm wanting to use!
Whatever
08-03-2008, 12:48 AM
Hmm Dr. francko was the guy behind the "Upham giant" Basjoo. Hopefully this turns out better then that.
Randy4ut
08-03-2008, 07:48 AM
Hmm Dr. francko was the guy behind the "Upham giant" Basjoo. Hopefully this turns out better then that.
??? I don't understand what you mean by "Hopefully this turns out to be better than that." Were you referring to the "Upham" giant? If you have heard more on it, please let me know...
Whatever
08-03-2008, 11:44 AM
??? I don't understand what you mean by "Hopefully this turns out to be better than that." Were you referring to the "Upham" giant? If you have heard more on it, please let me know...
I just mean that project didn't turn out. This looks very promising though!
Randy4ut
08-03-2008, 12:59 PM
I just mean that project didn't turn out. This looks very promising though!
Have you heard something that I haven't? Last I spoke with Dr. Francko about this, he was going to check with his collegues at Miami University where he did his research and see where they were on the "Upham Giant". As he has taken another position at U of Alabama, he no longer works for Miami U. in Dayton... Please let me know what you have heard about this...
Whatever
08-03-2008, 01:04 PM
Have you heard something that I haven't? Last I spoke with Dr. Francko about this, he was going to check with his collegues at Miami University where he did his research and see where they were on the "Upham Giant". As he has taken another position at U of Alabama, he no longer works for Miami U. in Dayton... Please let me know what you have heard about this...
Yeah as far as I was able to find out nothing was happening with it. I was told that they decided it just wasn't financially feasible when a basjoo could be bought at Lowes for $7.
tophersmith
08-04-2008, 09:11 AM
I have been thinking about this and sure would like to talk to Dr. Francko in person. Even if you were able to get 9 degrees of added protection, on a banana plant, say, that would still not be enough to get it through in my area. I wonder if the product is "transient"? I mean, if applied to the leaves and pstem, will it migrate down into the mat and/or corms to increase their hardiness? I would like it is only good at protecting what it is sprayed on. If it would increase the hardiness of the corm, then that would be great, I just don't see it moving like that inside the plant.
Am I making any sense? Let me try another way. If I used this product on a banana that is really rated a zone 9a plant, and the temps dropped down below freezing and I got another 9 degrees of protection, that is roughly protected to about 23F, before the leaves died off, I still have nights that dropped into the teens, then would the banana be lost? Now if the product gave the corm an added 9 degrees and it was planted and mulched well, then it would more than likely survive. Does that explain my question any better?
Let me know what you folks are thinking on this... Thanks... And sorry for not being able to write what I am thinking!!!!
Ok just received an email from Dean Franco and here is his reply 'We did not do translocation studies, and it would be difficult to load enough product into something so massive as a pseudostem or corm. But we do note some added protection of the pseudostem so some translocation appears to be taking place. Our pitch for growing Zone 8 stuff in Zone 7 is the lessening of foliar damage under Zone 7 conditions – that’s all you need to move one Zone further north. Now, if you’re trying to coax true Zone 8/9 bananas to overwinter in Zone 6 conditions, then one would need to worry about underground parts surviving better, but there the cause of mortality is extended, chronic cold.'
Hope this helps, I know I am going to try it.
Randy4ut
08-04-2008, 11:49 AM
Ok just received an email from Dean Franco and here is his reply 'We did not do translocation studies, and it would be difficult to load enough product into something so massive as a pseudostem or corm. But we do note some added protection of the pseudostem so some translocation appears to be taking place. Our pitch for growing Zone 8 stuff in Zone 7 is the lessening of foliar damage under Zone 7 conditions – that’s all you need to move one Zone further north. Now, if you’re trying to coax true Zone 8/9 bananas to overwinter in Zone 6 conditions, then one would need to worry about underground parts surviving better, but there the cause of mortality is extended, chronic cold.'
Hope this helps, I know I am going to try it.
Chris,
I appreciate the info, but it still doesn't seem to help in the case of bananas in my zone 7. Whether the banana is rated a zone 7 or 8, the foliar damage for either is inevitable with our lows going into the upper teens even during warm winters. Don't banana leaves die with frost or at least freezing temps? If so, then with a 9 degree added protection, the foliage on bananas would die with temps in the low 20's. Am I understanding this correctly, or have I missed the boat completely on it?
Bananaman88
08-04-2008, 12:28 PM
I think you're exactly right, Randy. Most banana leaves are damaged by the slightest bit of frost, though there are some that are a bit tougher. I don't think this product will be able to provide enough protection for those of you that far north. Hopefully I'm wrong though. And as Dr. Franco stated, the problem with overwintering bananas that far north will be keeping the corms from freezing and he doesn't seem to think his product will help with that. The winters are just too long.
tophersmith
08-04-2008, 01:38 PM
Chris,
I appreciate the info, but it still doesn't seem to help in the case of bananas in my zone 7. Whether the banana is rated a zone 7 or 8, the foliar damage for either is inevitable with our lows going into the upper teens even during warm winters. Don't banana leaves die with frost or at least freezing temps? If so, then with a 9 degree added protection, the foliage on bananas would die with temps in the low 20's. Am I understanding this correctly, or have I missed the boat completely on it?
No it just means they would keep there leaves longer which I would think would translate into a healthier corm and shorter winter for your bananas.
Randy4ut
08-04-2008, 03:40 PM
I understand what you are saying and I guess it makes sense. Guess we really won't know exactly how it will affect individual plants until we try it in our own zones and gardens. Hey, for $20, it would be worth a shot...
Bananaman88
08-05-2008, 11:56 AM
Oh, yeah. I'd definitely give it a try.
51st state
08-10-2008, 04:42 PM
When this stuff gets to market can someone post a link as I've gotta try it.
I feel my yearly thanksgiving trip to the US coming on despite the credit crunch
:lurk:
20.00 sounds better than that 300.00 I spent last fall attempting to get my bananas through the winter with limited success. An extra nine degrees sounds good here bring it on. The longer I have to live without my wife telling me how ugly my banana plants are in the winter the better lol. Please keep us informed on this.
edd82
08-11-2008, 04:44 AM
I hope he's ready for export orders. I'm well up for trying some of that. Could do with it ready for this winter
I second that, it would be great to get some of that for the UK winter
tophersmith
08-11-2008, 08:19 AM
20.00 sounds better than that 300.00 I spent last fall attempting to get my bananas through the winter with limited success. An extra nine degrees sounds good here bring it on. The longer I have to live without my wife telling me how ugly my banana plants are in the winter the better lol. Please keep us informed on this.
Hey Mike,
Where in Savanah do you live as I would like to retire there and heard that if you are close to water it is pratically zone 9 there. Is this true are is it truly Zone 8 there? I was planning on driving down that way in October let me know if you need a new type of banana (see my trade post).
Chris:0519:
Chris I now live in Hinesville about thirty minutes outside of Savannah. I was born and raised in Savannah until six years ago. My understanding is that we are in zone 8b but don't quote me. I lived on Wilmington Island before moving here. Unfortunately I did not get much into growing until I moved here so cant say. My understanding is that its 8b on the coast also but it should be a couple degrees different. Are you coming to the the fall festival at the Bambo Farm its usually at the end of October? I try and make it every year hopefully this year want be any different. :03:
I have no idea how to get to the trade post.
tophersmith
08-12-2008, 09:19 AM
I have no idea how to get to the trade post.[/QUOTE]
Mike try this http://www.bananas.org/f2/trade-thread-5236.html
tophersmith
08-18-2008, 12:27 PM
Wow this pic says alot Mumbai News - Mumbai Mirror Online - FREEZE-PROOF, TECH, Mumbai News, Mumbai newspaper,Current Affairs,Latest news,Mumbai Directory,City Portal,Mumbai,city,Bombay,destination,Web,Internet,website,Capit al of Maharashtra,Metropolis,Megapolis,Commercial (http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=7&contentid=200807172008071702033094ba0ea6aa&pageno=1)
saltydad
08-18-2008, 12:58 PM
I love the internet! Here we are getting news from the Mumbai, India paper!
Randy4ut
08-18-2008, 01:19 PM
Chris,
You probably have already gotten a similiar response from Dr. Francko, but I just wanted to let you know what I heard from him a couple of weeks ago...
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="97%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=message><!-- START MESSAGE -->
----- Forwarded by Randall S. Armstrong/CLV/Effem on 08/06/2008 08:31 PM -----
<TABLE width="100%" border=2><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><TD>
"Francko, David" <DFRANCKO@UA.EDU>08/04/2008 10:28 AM
<TD>
<TD>
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>To: <TD><RANDALL.ARMSTRONG@EFFEM.COM><TR><TD vAlign=top>cc: <TD>"Gathings, William" <WILLIAM.GATHINGS@UA.EDU>, "Swatloski, Rick" <RICHARD.SWATLOSKI@UA.EDU>, "Bryant, Chris" <CBRYANT@ADVANCE.UA.EDU><TR vAlign=top><TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Subject: <TD>RE: Freeze-Pruf </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Randy, apologies for not responding sooner, but your email ended up in my junk mail and I only check that weekly or so....
We are hoping to attract a manufacturer/licensee for FreezePruf<SUP>TM</SUP> soon, but other than that I can't advise on availability.
I'm ccing our tech transfer people here at UA with this response so they have a record of your interest, and we’ll keep you posted.
Thanks for the photo link too, and I may be calling on you if and when I do a second edition of the palm book! I’ll let you know also if I can come up and see your plants in person!
-Best,
Dave Francko
Hopefully, it won't be to far off into the future before it is available for us to test out ourselves...Keep each other posted!!!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
tophersmith
08-18-2008, 01:48 PM
Chris,
You probably have already gotten a similiar response from Dr. Francko, but I just wanted to let you know what I heard from him a couple of weeks ago...
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="97%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=message><!-- START MESSAGE -->
----- Forwarded by Randall S. Armstrong/CLV/Effem on 08/06/2008 08:31 PM -----
<TABLE width="100%" border=2><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><TD>
"Francko, David" <DFRANCKO@UA.EDU>08/04/2008 10:28 AM
<TD>
<TD>
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>To: <TD><RANDALL.ARMSTRONG@EFFEM.COM><TR><TD vAlign=top>cc: <TD>"Gathings, William" <WILLIAM.GATHINGS@UA.EDU>, "Swatloski, Rick" <RICHARD.SWATLOSKI@UA.EDU>, "Bryant, Chris" <CBRYANT@ADVANCE.UA.EDU><TR vAlign=top><TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Subject: <TD>RE: Freeze-Pruf </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Randy, apologies for not responding sooner, but your email ended up in my junk mail and I only check that weekly or so....
We are hoping to attract a manufacturer/licensee for FreezePruf<SUP>TM</SUP> soon, but other than that I can't advise on availability.
I'm ccing our tech transfer people here at UA with this response so they have a record of your interest, and we’ll keep you posted.
Thanks for the photo link too, and I may be calling on you if and when I do a second edition of the palm book! I’ll let you know also if I can come up and see your plants in person!
-Best,
Dave Francko
Hopefully, it won't be to far off into the future before it is available for us to test out ourselves...Keep each other posted!!!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Randy,
Yes I have had similar conversations with him both via phone and email, aisde from a personal visit the inforamtion was the same.
Steve L
10-14-2008, 10:46 AM
Any update on this product. I would really like to try it out on my heliconia in the ground this coming winter.
Steve
lt_eggbeater
10-14-2008, 11:39 AM
I would definatley buy some if its available.
tophersmith
10-14-2008, 01:29 PM
Any update on this product. I would really like to try it out on my heliconia in the ground this coming winter.
Steve
I am meeting with Dean Franko and the VC that is backing him on Oct 27th. Hope to have production ironed out in early November. Sorry it's not earlier. I am trying to work out a deal where we (bananas.org) regulars can get it at a reduced price so keep your fingers crossed.:drum:
JCDerrick
10-14-2008, 01:33 PM
I had never heard of this, but it sounds incredible. Randy/Chris, thanks for your efforts on this - this might be enough to keep my bananas growing all winter.
I wonder if it'd also work on members of the Strelitziaceae family, like White BOP's and Travelers Palm.
GB1963
10-14-2008, 01:34 PM
I am meeting with Dean Franko and the VC that is backing him on Oct 27th. Hope to have production ironed out in early November. Sorry it's not earlier. I am trying to work out a deal where we (bananas.org) regulars can get it at a reduced price so keep your fingers crossed.:drum:
That would be awesome! I'm also waiting for this product to come out. Thank you for your work on our behalf!
Gerhard
Chironex
10-14-2008, 03:29 PM
So when is this stuff going to become available? Sure would be nice to get some right away, it would help me by not having to move so many pots inside!!!
Sounds like even us zone 6 gardeners could use it, at least to give extra protection to the Pstem of a basjoo for example............I want in!
tophersmith
10-15-2008, 09:17 AM
I had never heard of this, but it sounds incredible. Randy/Chris, thanks for your efforts on this - this might be enough to keep my bananas growing all winter.
I wonder if it'd also work on members of the Strelitziaceae family, like White BOP's and Travelers Palm.
Freezepruf, is not nearly as effective on woody stem plants. I would imagine the Strelitziaceae family falls into that catagory eventually. But if 3 degrees is all you need then it's for you. The 7 degrees refers to soft tissue plants. I will have more details after my meeting at the end of the month. I will keep everyone here informed as soon as it becomes available.
Steve L
10-15-2008, 09:26 AM
Thanks again Chris.
Steve
tophersmith
10-28-2008, 01:53 PM
I just got off a conference call the VC who is helping Dean Franco bring Freeze Pruf to market. Currently we are about a month out from the product being available for sale. The initial form it will be sold in a gallon (not concentrate). Price has still not been confirmed but I was assured it would be reasonable. Please indicate via PM if you are interested in purchasing some as I am forming a list and will be proactively selling it as soon as it's in production.
nucci60
12-03-2008, 05:00 PM
Sounds like even us zone 6 gardeners could use it, at least to give extra protection to the Pstem of a basjoo for example............I want in!
I am in zone six also. This product would help more with palms like Trachys in our zone. We would still lose banana leaves to frost,but it couldn't hurt. I would try it.
tophersmith
12-04-2008, 04:06 PM
I am in zone six also. This product would help more with palms like Trachys in our zone. We would still lose banana leaves to frost,but it couldn't hurt. I would try it.
I was also thinking about Australian tree ferns (Cyathea) as they are cold hardy to 15 degrees, this would be all I need to ensure I don't loose them
JCDerrick
12-04-2008, 04:12 PM
I was also thinking about Australian tree ferns (Cyathea) as they are cold hardy to 15 degrees, this would be all I need to ensure I don't loose them
Good point. I'd love to keep them alive and well during the winter. Mine look fried after the freezes we've had. I just hope they'll make it until spring; I'd never left them in the ground before.
lt_eggbeater
01-13-2009, 04:58 PM
It's a little too late for this winter. Some of my stuff got pretty crispy when it dipped to 27 on a few nights, but is this stuff ever going to actually make it to market, or is it vapor ware?
tophersmith
01-14-2009, 08:26 AM
It's a little too late for this winter. Some of my stuff got pretty crispy when it dipped to 27 on a few nights, but is this stuff ever going to actually make it to market, or is it vapor ware?
As soon as I hear some positive news I will post it, at this point I have not had an update in over 30 days.
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