View Full Version : FreezePruf - It's here!
buffy
08-25-2009, 02:24 PM
I received my 1 gallon pre-mixed container of FreezePruf today. The wait is over. Let's test this stuff out this winter.
Randy4ut
08-25-2009, 02:32 PM
Please keep us posted on how it does for you. I will be waiting for more testimonials before I am willing to put it on any of my plants. Good luck and will be interested in seeing how it does...
Does it list ingredients or do you know if it is the bacteria that is suppose to protect plants from freezing?
buffy
08-25-2009, 03:47 PM
Active Ingredients: Polyethylene glycol 8000 2.00%, Glycerin 0.06%
Other Ingredients: 97.94% (Water; Bicyclic Oxazolidines; Silicic Acid, potassium salt; Silicone Polyether Copolymer)
Interesting! Definitely lets us know how it works--I guess you have to reapply after rain?
JuniPerez
08-26-2009, 07:58 AM
I just pre-ordered my FreezePruf. It would be interesting to see how well it works.
I've communicated with Dr. Francko before and got great tips for my palms & bananas. I tracked him down to Alabama and he told me he was writing a new book because a lot has been discovered and changed since "Palms Won't Grow Here...".
He has been experimenting heavily with hardiness, so if he says this stuff will work, then I believe it and don't need to wait to hear how it worked for others before I try it myself. It's going to be an interesting winter!
I wonder if there is such a thing as a happy banana dance for these exciting occasions - or am I taking it too far?!?!?!?! =)
Interesting! Definitely lets us know how it works--I guess you have to reapply after rain?
It should have an effect for six weeks so I don't really think you would need to reapply it after a rain. I think the leaves will absorb it.
winsorw
08-26-2009, 02:05 PM
Is this available to purchase? If so, where?
Thanks.
enigma99a
08-26-2009, 03:45 PM
Is this available to purchase? If so, where?
Thanks.
FreezePruf - Click here (http://www.liquidfence.com/FreezePruf.html)
winsorw
08-26-2009, 04:13 PM
Thanks. ama(z)on seems to have it at a lower price but no concentrate.
JuniPerez
08-26-2009, 05:34 PM
Interesting! Definitely lets us know how it works--I guess you have to reapply after rain?
It says it's resistant to rain and lasts about 6 weeks. So it should be fine.
I have a question,
Is polyethylene glycol toxic to animals the way ethylene glycol is?
Dogs and cats get poisoned all the time from drinking antifreeze, does anyone know if this would have a similar effect?
Ray
browndrake
08-26-2009, 11:51 PM
I don't know but they have "markedly" decreased colon cancer in rats with it. Polyethylene Glycol 8000 and Colon Carcinogenesis: Inhibition in the F344 Rat, Promotion in the Min Mouse -- Naigamwalla et al. 60 (24): 6856 -- Cancer Research (http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/60/24/6856)
aaron
Kalabrian
08-27-2009, 05:00 AM
also cigarettes were promoted as even healthy in the first 20 years since their commercial introduction...
PkiJake
08-27-2009, 05:03 PM
I just pre-ordered my FreezePruf. It would be interesting to see how well it works.
I've communicated with Dr. Francko before and got great tips for my palms & bananas. I tracked him down to Alabama and he told me he was writing a new book because a lot has been discovered and changed since "Palms Won't Grow Here...".
That is exciting another book will be coming out. The first ne was full of great infromation. I wonder when it will be out?
Jake
aupoet
08-27-2009, 07:54 PM
I can't wait to hear if this works for you guys. If it does then I can finely grow some of those beautiful hibiscus plants that are not winter hardy here.
enigma99a
08-30-2009, 04:05 AM
I have a question,
Is polyethylene glycol toxic to animals the way ethylene glycol is?
Dogs and cats get poisoned all the time from drinking antifreeze, does anyone know if this would have a similar effect?
Ray
No, it's not as toxic as they are not the same. But, it is still slightly toxic. I'm not going to be using my spray on anything I plan to be eating from. Now we can use pesticides that are VERY toxic. However, freezepruf allows the plant to absorb it, which is good for freezing, but not so good for eating I think
JuniPerez
08-30-2009, 02:18 PM
I was told that polyethylene glycol isn't toxic like that. In fact, it's used as a laxative and the only side effect for overdoses is diarrhea. I think this is being studied for use on food crops too to protect from the damaging freezes some farmers experience once in a while.
enigma99a
08-31-2009, 02:38 PM
I was told that polyethylene glycol isn't toxic like that. In fact, it's used as a laxative and the only side effect for overdoses is diarrhea. I think this is being studied for use on food crops too to protect from the damaging freezes some farmers experience once in a while.
Well, it's only slightly toxic. Therefore the diarrhea. Although, I think that it may not matter at all as the majority of water to fruit comes from the ground and not the leafs.
JuniPerez
09-26-2009, 06:03 PM
Well, has anyone in the colder zones tried this? So far I think it's too early in my zone. We're just getting into lows of about mid-40s with nice daytime highs of upper 60s to lower 70s. I do have a few questions I wish they would provide faq's for on their site.
1. Since it's absorbed into the leaves, does one have to make sure both sides, top and bottom, of leaves are sprayed? Or is it okay to miss one side?
2. How important is it to spray the trunk well?
jeffreyp
09-28-2009, 08:25 PM
Has anyone tried just using an ethylene glycol solution maybe some brands of antifreeze contain this? I have read propylene glycol is toxic to plants. I found a couple interesting links:
Welcome to CQ Concepts (http://www.cqconcepts.com/chem_ethyleneglycol.php)
Plants metabolise ethylene to ethylene glycol (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v283/n5742/abs/283066a0.html)
jeffreyp
09-28-2009, 08:32 PM
great article...
Flounder Antifreeze for Plants, Alaska Science Forum (http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF11/1166.html)
enigma99a
09-28-2009, 10:17 PM
Has anyone tried just using an ethylene glycol solution maybe some brands of antifreeze contain this? I have read propylene glycol is toxic to plants. I found a couple interesting links:
Welcome to CQ Concepts (http://www.cqconcepts.com/chem_ethyleneglycol.php)
Plants metabolise ethylene to ethylene glycol (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v283/n5742/abs/283066a0.html)
ethylene glycol? lol. seriously? or is this a joke?
jeffreyp
10-02-2009, 01:06 AM
don't think so, but you can always ask the author.
enigma99a
10-02-2009, 01:40 AM
don't think so, but you can always ask the author.
Wow, ok:) Be careful man. For all others reading, this would be in the DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME category lol.
RobG7aChattTN
10-10-2009, 01:55 PM
Proplyne glycol is toxic to plants? It is supposed to be non-toxic to animals and is bio-degradable. It is found in "motorhome antifreeze" that is used to keep the potable water lines from freezing. It is also used in swimming pools, as an aircraft de-ice, and is used in medicatons and food. I was hoping that it would work better than ethylene glycol since it is less toxic and dirt cheap ($4/gal) and you can buy it in a variety of places (Northern Tool). Wal-Mart has it, but it has an anti-rust agent added to it that I'd rather avoid. I'm planning on trying it at least on a few disposable plants.
JuniPerez
10-12-2009, 06:32 AM
Well, our first advisory last night. This morning when I got up, the weather said it was 30°F with windchill at 25°F. I checked the thermometer in the banana grove and it was at 31°F. Plants unaffected. The canna lilies seem fine. I sprayed them just for the hell of it when I was spraying freezeproof on the musas. I don't know at what temps these plants would suffer freeze damage, but so far I'm happy.
jwmahloch
11-12-2009, 10:03 AM
I live in St Louis MO and bought some freeze pruf in early October and it works great!!!!!!!!! I sprayed it on all my bananas (musa Basjoo, musa bordeleen and Musa cavendish) as well as on all my palms that stay outside all winter. Its Nov 12 now and my musa basjoo's and musa bordeleens look great!!! (no frost damage at all). The cavendish has some frost spots (but I understand its only cold hardy to about 37). It also worked on all my canna lilly's and they are still flowering. We have had 3 nights below freezing this fall, with a min temp of 30.
The 10 day forcast here is not below 37 for the next 10 days so maybe my bananas will last until Thanksgiving (which is a month beyond the growing season here). I have noticed that my bananas that are against the south and east side of my house look much better than the ones I have away from the house that are exposed to the wind. - Jeremy (St Louis MO) zone 6b/7a.
:woohoonaner:
RobG7aChattTN
11-12-2009, 12:47 PM
Well that sounds awesome! Now I have to figure out how to add it to my plant budget. It will be interesting to see how it does on palms!
jwmahloch
11-12-2009, 02:32 PM
Freezpruf is a little expensive but it works. I have been emailing back and forth with Dr. Frankco (the botonist that developed freezepruf). He told me that it will add at least 5 degrees of told tolerance to bananas and palms. So for example I have a CA fan palm thats normally leaf hardy to 23 degrees, with freezepruf it should be able to go down to 18 degrees F without damage. I am waiting to see how it works on my palms. We are almost a month past the first frost here in St Louis and my bananas still look great. The ones on the side of my house actually get more sun now because the leaves have fallen off the trees around the house.
Liquid fence actually sent me a free gallon concentrate for telling the how well it worked. I had to buy 2 quart concetrates first to see how it worked. So you might try giving good feedback to them after you use some and see if you can get a free sample.
What kind of palms are you growing and where are you located?
Jeremy
:waving:
enigma99a
11-12-2009, 05:33 PM
Jeremy, I have been holding out on using my freezpruf until the cold weather hits. But how did you apply it? under the leaf as well?
jwmahloch
11-12-2009, 05:51 PM
I sprayed both sides of the banana leaves (I bought the concentrate and mixed it in a pressure sprayer so I can spray my bananas that are 12 feet tall without a ladder, it also helps that I am tall). The freeze pruf is absorbed into the plant so it will not wash off if it rains. Make sure you reapply to any new growth. Its supposed to last 4 to 6 weeks but I reapplied after 3 weeks. Its also supposed to work great on palms. I was told that it added about 5 degrees of cold tolerance to bananas and palms. We are a month past our first frost here and my bananas and palms look great. I have landscaping lights that light them up night. Good luck
Jeremy
jwmahloch
11-18-2009, 03:09 PM
Below is a link to a radio interview with Dr. Frankco regarding freeze pruf. I found it very helpful.
Protect Plants from Sudden Frost or Freeze (http://www.bigblendmagazine.com/Home-Garden/freeze-pruf.htm)
Jeremy
:0517:
JuniPerez
11-18-2009, 08:37 PM
Hello all.. just a little update on my convo with Dr Francko.
I just got home to his reply to my last email, in which I had asked two things: Does FreezePruf contain antidessicant and does it protect the roots as well (since the plants do absorb and distribute throughout their cell structure).
His response on the antidessicant question, directly quoting his email, "FreezePruf DOES contain an antidessicant in the formulation - in fact, the highest efficiency antidessicant out there on the market, so there is no need to apply that separately. The antidessicant is one of the reasons why FreezePruf resists washing off for several weeks, in addition to protecting the plant in its own right."
So, when calculating the costs of using FreezePruf, it'd only be fair to add in the savings from not having to use a separate antidessicant spray. The anti-d spray I've used costs $15 for a 32oz spray bottle that lasts 3 months. FreezePruf costs $12.00 for a 32oz spray bottle that lasts 6 weeks... so $24 for 3 months. So to me, FreezePruf only costing me an additional $9 for the added hardiness protection per bottle for 3 months. That's so worth it.
===============================================
His response to the roots question; he claims that while he hasn't experimented directly with root protection, he believes it gets distributed to the roots and that many gardeners are testing this with potted plants and will provide him feedback.
==============================================
Finally, he tossed in an extra tip for palms: It's very important that when you spray the spears you make sure FreezePruf gets down into the crown onto the bud tissue so it's protected. <---- THIS I was avoiding 'cause I didn't want any of it getting into the crown. Who'd have thought?
I hope this helps many of you. I've linked him to this forum and a few others that are discussing FreezePruf so he can better see what users are experiencing and maybe get some feedback.
bikoro child
11-19-2009, 03:39 AM
Has some one any pics of the result of the FreezePruf using ?
jwmahloch
11-19-2009, 10:05 AM
Here are some pictures I took a week after it got down to 30 degrees. That was a month ago and my banana plants still look good. My Basjoo's and Bordelen's had almost no freeze damage at 30 but my dwarf cavendish had some black spots on the leaves. My understanding is that the dwarf cavendish is only hardy to about 37 compared to 32 for the basjoo and bordelen. The bananas up against my house look much better than the ones that are away from the house as of today.
- Jeremy (St Louis MO)
winsorw
12-11-2009, 04:25 PM
Hi,
Has anyone have info of its performance below 30s yet? The temp where I live (z8) went down to 15-17s early this week. (I haven't tried it.)
Thanks.
jwmahloch
12-11-2009, 04:45 PM
Yes. First it depends on the plant that you use it on. As far as bananas are concerned it added about 3-5F additional cold tolerance from my experience. I used it on my basjoos and bordelons and had no damage at 30F, a small amount of leave damage at 29, more damage at 28 and below 27 my I had alot of damage. I was able to extend the growing season here in St Louis an additional 5 weeks past the first frost for my bananas.
Also keep in mind that it depends on the plants freezing point. For example windmill palms are normally leaf hardy to about 15F, so freeze pruf would take that down to 10F.
enigma99a
12-11-2009, 09:47 PM
In my experience, it gives like 2 degrees for bananas
Randy4ut
12-12-2009, 11:53 AM
Just read this from another board that I spend quite a bit of time on, and thought I would share this person's opinion thus far. Doesn't sound like it impressed this individual in Texas!!!
Hardy Palm and Subtropical Board: FreezePruff Results (not good) (http://members3.boardhost.com/HardyPalm/msg/1260633626.html)
Velutina
12-12-2009, 01:20 PM
I suspect a $2 string of Christmas lights and a frost blanket would work better...
That is what i'm using to protect my bananas and they are still green with no cold damage. It has been down to 26F and below freezing 7-8 times so far.
Based, on the reports of freeze-pruf users, my bananas would have been defoliated by now...
enigma99a
12-12-2009, 04:41 PM
I suspect a $2 string of Christmas lights and a frost blanket would work better...
That is what i'm using to protect my bananas and they are still green with no cold damage. It has been down to 26F and below freezing 7-8 times so far.
Based, on the reports of freeze-pruf users, my bananas would have been defoliated by now...
Yes it is a complete joke, and I am angry I lost (not quite sure yet) many plants just because they were sprayed with something that was supposed to work but doesn't. I should have wrapped them like I always do
This below is WITH freezepruf after 29 degrees. What a joke.. Even a blanket would have kept them 100% green
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/386/img0210dq.jpg
winsorw
12-15-2009, 04:28 PM
Thank you for all the information and for testing the product.
Velutina
12-15-2009, 10:48 PM
I think the only reason this product is so expensive is because the developer knows this will be the last year he will sell it. $$$$$
jeffreyp
12-15-2009, 11:21 PM
Could be, or maybe some plants lend better to the mixture. Either way thanks for taking the effort to share your results.
enigma99a
12-16-2009, 04:57 AM
I actually think it works on cat palms. They didn't get any damage at all
jeffreyp
12-20-2009, 06:38 AM
I am thinking banana plants have a waxy coating on their leaves it might inhibit absorption making it ineffective. A better test would be with a larger selection of plants instead of only banana plants. I am not necessarily defending the product but it's just a thought...
Bananaman88
12-20-2009, 10:30 AM
I did not purchase this product but I do think one has to consider the fact that a banana leaf, versus say, a palm leaf, is much more tender. Bananas are mostly water, afterall, and just don't do well with freezing temps. The product may or may not work but I really never thought it would work well with bananas. Sorry for your losses.
JuniPerez
12-20-2009, 01:17 PM
The product provides different levels of protection depending on the plant it's sprayed on, which is why it says "up to 9.4°" of protection. It's good for extending the growing season, which is what it did for me... but I highly doubt it's good for complete overwintering. In my Musa basjoo/sikkimensis case, it did provide protection down to about 27-28°F (which is about 5° of extra protection), extending their growing season for quite a few weeks into fall. For less hardy ones, I'd trust the product to protect from frost, not freezes. If you normally protect your plants via some sort of insulation, and find that you SOMETIMES end up losing them anyways, I'd try the FreezePruf IN ADDITION to covering and see if it lessens the loss, but I wouldn't replace the insulation with only spraying.
Bananaman88
12-20-2009, 09:44 PM
Exactly, different plants are going to respond differently. I also think that in places like where I live where some plants never go fully dormant it is tougher on them when it gets cold. Also, we can have dramatic temerature shifts here...70 degrees one day, down to freezing the next. That type of change is very tough on plants as they have no way of coping in such a short amount of time. Up north, plants slowly shut down for the winter. Rarely are they actively growing and then, BAM, freezing temps the next day like can happen here in the south.
Duration of the freeze is also important. Often, here in Houston, we'll only receive frost for a couple of hours. This last round of cold weather we had here my plants were exposed to about 10 hours or so of freezing temps which really does a lot more damage than just a couple of hours of freezing temps. All of these things affect the way plants tolerate the cold and whether or not they receive damage.
yoritomo
12-27-2009, 02:07 PM
Hello i am new on this forum, i am from Belgium, in my area we experienced -21C (-5.8F) this last winter.
I would like to know about your general results with this FreezePruf, i am really surprised about it.
Anyway don't forget to apply it to the pseudo trunk and back of the leafs as well, or no wonder it would not works.
Keep me informed please.
Ruddy
yoritomo
12-27-2009, 09:31 PM
enigma99a
So sad to see your pictures, i would like to ask you some questions about your experience if you don't mind.
Did you spray it on dry leaf and over the complete plant even on backside of leaves ? Was the plants in containers or growing in the earth of the garden ?
Which minimal temperature did you got on that time ?
as they said i think so , banana plants are a difficult choice for such experience in many ways, it is a plants almost completely composed of water with no wooden parts, and if it is in container the roots are particularily high vulnerability.
Don't forget to cover the roots of the plant as well as possible, and the cold protection blanket still be necessary on such experience
Anyone tryed this experience with fragile cold hardy palms as Washingtonia, Syagrus or Livistona ? Or simply seedling of cold hardy palms ?
Thanks for your answers
enigma99a
12-28-2009, 06:07 AM
Yoritomo, for that night it had got down to about 29 to 30F. Pretty cold night but I thought maybe I would get a degree or two of extra protection. I did apply the product according to directions and it was over 50 degrees as recommended. Roots are fine it doesn't get that cold.
As for the spray on hardy palms such as washingtonia, I have no idea since such palms thrive here without any protection. I did try it though on a majesty palm, areca, cat and king palms. It didn't seem to help. Nothing replaces freeze blankets:)
yoritomo
12-28-2009, 07:24 AM
Yes, so sad, i was hoping a bit about that liquid, but i had not to many illusions.
Here the climate is unluckily very cold on some winters and then i proceed as follow for my palms:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7059/huttepalmier.jpg
When i get a dry climate's palm i first prepare a hole about one cubic meter, the i mix the content with volcano rocks and river sand, i make a little hillock.
I plant my palm, then for the winter i surround the palm with a sewed bag made by frost blanket closed by tighting string.
i cover the foot of the plant with dry grass. above it i roll a silicon christmas light string for outdoor use type as Duralight about 5m long (16W/meter).
I prepare a foldable roof made by a pair of concrete's iron gate, soldered together by a pair of recycled door's hinges to make it easy to tidy on spring they are covered by polycarbonat 2 layers pannels. On each corners are soldered a nut to screw the corner's posts inside for easy installation and removal.
i install my 4 posts around the plant each one of them is surmounted by a soldered screw and its nut. then i screw the roof above them.
i surround the installation by a reed carpet to insure a good air flow inside to prevent moisture and condensation. Once the material is ready , need about 15 to 20 minutes for installation each winters per plant , then i think it is a good deal for just a few money ;) don't forget to close all opened sides by a plastic pasted with a good quality outdoor use tape (such DuckTape)
Using it i could preserv on -5°F(-21°C) Jubaea Chilensis (perfect), Butia Capitata (alive but in poor state) , Chamaerops humilis (50% defoliate).
For Basjoo bananas i just cut the leaves surround the trung by dry grass, surround by a reed carpet and cover by a plastic hat on top, no need any heating systems, that would even be dammagable.
good luck everyone
jwmahloch
12-28-2009, 04:08 PM
Looks great. I like the bamboo fencing around the plant. Are those polycarb panels? What did you use to support the roof? In a few years my palms will be too tall for my umbrella greenhouses and I will need to do something else.
Last winter I built leaf cages and it was a pain in the butt and my windmill palms suffered leave damage that had to be cut off in the spring. This winter I am using umbrella greenhouses, I bought 4 of them from charliesgreenhouse.com and I have my windmill palms covered with them. 2 of them I have pipe heating cables wraped on the ground around the truck and 45 watt halogen lights inside the umbrella (my wife calls them igloos), I also have them covered with blankets at night. It normally stays about 20 degrees warmer than outside. One night it got down to 9F outside and it stayed above 32F inside the 2 heated igloos. The other 2 I just have stuffed with dry leaves and no leaf damage at all yet. So I probably dont need the heat cables. I am just testing 2 different methods to see what works. My goal is to preserve the leaves though the winter so the plants look better in the spring.
I will take some pictures and post them later.
yoritomo
12-28-2009, 07:37 PM
Yes right, double layer polycarbonat pannels , you can see a bit by transparency it is a pair of concrete iron gates, it is holding together soldered by a pair of recycled hinges, and the nuts (can be any strong rigs or tube) soldered on the corners are each one holding a screw with nut soledered on top of the posts
yoritomo
12-30-2009, 07:15 AM
i just put a post to introduce myself on the appropriate area of this forum, so you can see some pictures about my garden.
mullenium
12-30-2009, 02:17 PM
Ive recently applied freezepruf to my 4ft mango tree as well as 2 orange trees (one being only 2 ft tall) and some bougainvilleas which were already starting to dry up from the cold.
so far the mango looks good, although I do have 2 strings of the old bulb style xmas lights wrapped around it from the ground up, the orange look the same, and the bougainvilleas look worse..i think it was already too late for them though, they are probably going dormant for the winter.
jwmahloch
12-30-2009, 04:47 PM
I wish I could grow a mango and orange tree but it gets too cold here in St Louis. I have had sucess overwintering 4 windmill palms (Tach Fortunei) outside. Last winter I lost the leaves but the leaves grew back in the spring. This year I have them covered with umbrella greenhouses and they all look great so far, no leaf damage at all and its gotten down to 9F this winter so far. I have been spraying each palm with freeze pruf every 4 weeks since fall. It really seems to help on the windmill palms (more than on banana plants).
mullenium
12-31-2009, 11:08 AM
one thing I did notice now on my mango is that some of the top leaves have copper looking blotches, I wonder if thats from the freezepruf or something else?
I know mango's tend to be really picky and dont like any fert in their soil at all and as a result of the heavy spraying I did alot was dripping down to the soil line... hmmm
jwmahloch
12-31-2009, 11:17 AM
The blotches are because of the freeze pruf. I had the same thing on my banana leaves. On my palms I didnt really notice any blotches. So it depends on the plant. Freeze pruf is all naturual and is not supposed to harm plants. They say you can spray it on the fruit as well and it wont harm anything. Good luck and happy new year.
mullenium
12-31-2009, 11:26 AM
so the blotches didn't cause any physical damage? only altered its appearance?
jwmahloch
12-31-2009, 11:36 AM
the blotches did not cause any damage. I think that plants with thin leaves are more likely to get blotches, it might change the appearance of the leaves but will not harm the plant at all. If you have any more questions you might try sending an email to liquid fence company, they are the maufacturer of freeze pruf.
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