North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Joe and Ellen Hecksel <jhecksel@voyager.net>]

Hi all:

Bernie did a great job discussing the genetics of "hardiness"  There are 
also plant culture issues.
Roughly in order of importance:
1. Control growth rate (i.e. withhold nitrogen) so shoots have formed a 
terminal bud well in advance of autumn.
2. Protect from freeze-thaw-freeze.
3. Work to develop healthy canopy of leaves all growing season.  The 
antifreeze in the cells is a carbohydrate and leaves that are ravaged by 
insects, disease or deer cannot pack the cells with antifreeze.
4. Protect plants from rodent and bunny damage.
5. Some people swear by potassium and micro nutrients.  I have plenty of 
K (potassium) and no strong, personal opinions about micro nutrients. 
Seaweed and fish extracts are often listed as good sources of micro 
nutrients.

Any other thoughts, Bernie?

Scott & Lorena Breneman wrote:

> What is it about the composition of a plant that makes it hardy, half
> hardy or tender?  I'm assuming that it must be many factors, otherwise
> some researcher would be plugging the "cold gene" into citrus and bananas
> and we'd all be growing them.  Can anybody shed some light on this?   
> 
> Scott Breneman
> zone 6  


-- 
-Joe Hecksel
My personal website: http://my.voyager.net/~jhecksel
March's featured website: http://www.ranchovilasa-spurs.com/oak2.html



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