Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Avocado Trees Survived Freeze, 2 by Solace

Solace wrote:
I had several Avocado trees planted in pots in the greenhouse last fall, hoping that electric heaters would keep it warm enough. They didn't, when the temperature dipped to -22 outside last December. They all froze. I couldn't give up on them, though, so I brought them all into the house and placed them in a room with southern exposure. The three one-foot-tall plants I grew from seed are now putting on shoots that are growing very rapidly. The Cold-Hardy Avocado has new limbs a foot long growing from the trunk, and a new leader stem at the top - all with leaves. Miracle of miracles, the tall Hass Avocado is putting out new growth, below the blackened leafless top, and I counted six new branches emerging on the grafted upper portion, and several on the rootstock below. Hass is not supposed to survive ANY freezing temps below 30 degrees, and it survived -22 so I'm considering this a plant miracle. :) I had to put chicken wire around the tree to keep the cats from eating the leaves. I have fed them leftover cooled coffee a couple of times, and I water once a week (did even when I thought they were dead). I almost moved the big Hass out in the snow, as I momentarily gave up on it, but I changed my mind, and am now glad I didn't give up.

1. One of the new branches on the Hass, in a very large pot by the south window.
2. A new branch on the Cold Hardy, sitting on top of a file cabinet beneath a painting on the other side of the room, receiving light from the big south window (I will move it, too, for more sunlight).

Never give up!