We had a Winter!
I remember back in the 60's, 70's and 80's the north side of Houston was not the best place to try to grow citrus, tropicals and many palms. Those that chanced it were met with consistent failure. Before this Winter the last severe freezes we had were in December 1989 (8 degrees) and around 15 degrees in 1990. For years after those freezes no one wanted tender plants. We sold a lot of photenia, cleyera, nandina, ligustrum, junipers and boxwood. Not exciting but safe. Then came about a 20 year long string of mild winters. We have been warning our customers about tropicals, citrus and tender palms for their landscape. Our experiences are what we share with our customers. Some of the very large independent nurseries in Houston have been pushing those tender tropicals and palms with large displays and sale prices for many years. These nurseries have no plant information on their signage or knowledgeable salespeople available to inform customers about cold hardiness for these plants. The box stores basically did the same thing.
So Houstonians have planted citrus, queen palms, norfolk island pines, fishtail palms, phoenix roebillinii palms and a myriad of tender plants. My neighbor planted large expensive queen palms in 1999 and I mentioned to him that they could and probably would freeze. He assured me they would be okay and dismissed my experience. I wasn't about to argue but I expected them to freeze within a year or two. They didn't. For those 10 long years there were two people I didn't like being right about the weather. My neighbor and Al Gore. Palms across our area are very brown and toasty today. This winter season we have had 19 degree lows, snow, 40 hours straight below freezing and very few sunny mild days. As a matter of fact....it just started snowing again. Unbelievable. No snow at the Winter Olympics in Canada but much of Texas is covered up in it.
Everyone...customers, family, friends and industry insiders have said this is going to be a great sales year for the nursery business in Texas because of the hard freezes. I thought so too 6 weeks ago but I am not so sure today. We are 106k down in sales to date and I expect about 50k less this week than the same week last year. The weather last March-May was darn near perfect. I don't think we can make this up in a 13 week Spring. It will be more than frustrating knowing that there is a huge demand for nursery products this year and Mother Nature might pull a double whammy on us and prevent the opportunity.
So Houstonians have planted citrus, queen palms, norfolk island pines, fishtail palms, phoenix roebillinii palms and a myriad of tender plants. My neighbor planted large expensive queen palms in 1999 and I mentioned to him that they could and probably would freeze. He assured me they would be okay and dismissed my experience. I wasn't about to argue but I expected them to freeze within a year or two. They didn't. For those 10 long years there were two people I didn't like being right about the weather. My neighbor and Al Gore. Palms across our area are very brown and toasty today. This winter season we have had 19 degree lows, snow, 40 hours straight below freezing and very few sunny mild days. As a matter of fact....it just started snowing again. Unbelievable. No snow at the Winter Olympics in Canada but much of Texas is covered up in it.
Everyone...customers, family, friends and industry insiders have said this is going to be a great sales year for the nursery business in Texas because of the hard freezes. I thought so too 6 weeks ago but I am not so sure today. We are 106k down in sales to date and I expect about 50k less this week than the same week last year. The weather last March-May was darn near perfect. I don't think we can make this up in a 13 week Spring. It will be more than frustrating knowing that there is a huge demand for nursery products this year and Mother Nature might pull a double whammy on us and prevent the opportunity.
Same in Ireland ,coldest winter in 30 years..still waiting for spring to start.Also this year our first workshop on veg,50 came wow,busy planing other evening workshops ,need more cups etc..great fun also.....Best Wishes Donal
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I love that you said "Had a winter" but I'm pretty sure we are still "having" a winter and I am so ready for it to be over!
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"It will be more than frustrating knowing that there is a huge demand for nursery products this year and Mother Nature might pull a double whammy on us and prevent the opportunity"...
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME CONCERN!
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just following up with you on some lady bug data
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/xdpy/kb/ladybug-instructions.html
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Victor I have a question: You mentioned in your "We had a Winter" post that Norfolk Island pine would probably freeze in this past winter's below freezing temperatures--I moved into an apartment in town and beside my apt. is a huge norfolk island pine, the biggest one I've seen in this area. Gosh it has to be at least 45 feet tall, the trunk is about 2 to possible 3 feet in diameter. Its all brown from the freeze this past winder, with one that size you think it might come back? I figure since its that big it might survive, but it ain't looking too good.
Thanks
Eric Jones
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Eric...only time will truly tell if it is still alive. Let me know if it makes it. Nature has a way of surprising me.
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Victor, I made my first visit to your 249 location. I was so impressed, the property was small but your employee's are the best and the biggest plus was they all spoke english. I live in Cypress and the Houston Garden Center is the biggest nursery but only have about 1 english speaking employee so you can't ask any questions or get help. Your employee's were respectful and helpful - hats off to you! I will be a return customer, it's worth the drive.
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Don't you just hate being "wrong"? I try to give people the right advice in many different situations, but many customers seem to know more than I. Even after 17 years in the business I am never surprised to be "schooled" by a customer who has read something on the internet, or knows somebody who did something one time. As for your business, just keep giving solid advice and eventually the community will start to recognize you and your business as the correct place for information and good plants.
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We had the same experience in AZ. We had below freezing temps for almost a month straight. We did have warm ups during the day and no snow in the valley, but the freezing to warm weather everyday took a huge toll on our palm trees.
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