Do the same temperatures vary depending on where we live?

You are not stupid. The temp is the same-- it is simply affected by various other factors. Wind, humidity, etc. I think, however, some brugs can handle the heat better than others. This worth looking into.
I think the word would be "intensity" but then again, this language is changing so rapidly who knows what is which?
Not I. Dawn

Donna--it's the angle of the dangle changing the intensity of the rays coming through the atmosphere

Whoops, had to make a run to the oven, my timer was screaming--and forgot to complete the thought. Plants respond to more than UV; it's all the other types of energy that allow different plants to grow outside in the tropics than here; not just the low winter temperatures. It's a really interesting question and I don't quite understand the physics--can anyone shed some more light (tee hee) on the subject?

So sayeth Encarta but who knows what Brittanica will say on the subject. All I know is two summers ago we had about 3 weeks of 95F to 103F days and the nights didn't cool off........people here that have been to Florida said while we having extreme heat it would have been much worse in Florida due to their high humidity. At that heat plants fry everywhere.....my waterlilies that usually stay open for 3-4 days fried before the bud even opened. That's what usually happens to them in Texas and Florida during the summer.

So, what you are saying then,is that her statement is ...wrong? I know all about the differences caused by humidity and the lack of it. (I spent one summer ('92) in Manitoba with their high humidity combined with heat and I thought I would die... And I have heard, though never experienced, that Southern Onatrio is even worse. I can understand you can feel the heat differently, which is what I think you are trying to say here. But what I can't wrap my head around is the fact that this person thought that 36C would be less intense here in Canada, than 35C would be in Texas. I can't understandf that unless they have different thermometers! Can you see what I mean?

Since a thermometer doesn't factor in humidity/dryness etc. my own personal belief is when it registers 35C here the intensity of the suns rays are the same. The plants will suffer equally in both locations. I think using the statement that they have a more intense sun would be better used for talking about how much longer (ie. duration) they will be suffering under high heat conditions compared to us.

This message was edited Jan 15, 2005 11:20 AM

Of course those same intense rays they get also mean they will be enjoying (tho not so much this year) a much more moderate winter than we have the pleasure of (ie. -32C here/-48 with windchill this morning).

Bottom line! I better not put my Brugs in the front of my house (Southern Exposure). Dang! When I was discussing this subject with my DH last night, he reminded me also, that even though in the Southern exposure it would get the full brunt of the 12 hour, often 30+ heat, but also that anything planted (or in pots) up against the house would get even warmer, proably 5-10 degrees hotter. Sigh... I had the spots all picked out, etc. Nobody will see them in my backyard which is North Exposure. Will there be ENOUGH sun for them there do you think? Someday's I just can't seem to win...the Lower Mainland's more temperate summer climate is calling to me again... DH is saying.. Oh no we're not....

I have this memory of growing up in North Vancouver where anything would grow...but then I tamp them down with the reminder that slugs and other nasties also grow bigger and better. And I'd be lulled into growing beautiful perennial shrubs that get wiped out with freak weather.


It's true that 80F is 80F, but we burn faster in Florida than in B.C. because of the intensity of the radiation--more UV, more burning rays...we're at 3,000' and notice a difference, and when we are hiking up at 5,000' I'll burn as quickly as in Costa Rica.

That's the most my feeble ageing brain can handle as far as explanation! Have you noticed as we age that the thoughts and knowledge are still rolling around inside--all Poirot's 'little grey cells'--but when we try to show them the light of day, something gets lost?

So age is MY excuse and I'm sticking with it. It couldn't possibly be lack of knowledge, wisdom or understanding!

Thanks Rosemary, your explanation DID help me a little better to understand Calalily from Texas's statement. It sort of makes sense now and I am reminded of being on the beaches of Oahu back in the 70's and revelling in the "warm" sunrays the first day. The second day, I looked like a lobster from the finest restaurant in BC. LOL

Remember on the beach you are also dealing with the refraction of the rays off the water and white sand........holes in the ozone layer are also making a huge difference.

Trust me when it hits 35C here we also burn very quickly. :S If your skin hasn't gradually been exposed to the higher temps it will fry everywhere.

edited to say I'm only mentioning this because I was told the same thing by some of the Southern DG'ers. I think when intensity of sun is mentioned in encyclopedias etc. they are refering to the angle of the sun to the earth at various times of year and the resulting temperatures. UV radiation is different and many things have to be factored in when mentioning it.

This message was edited Jan 15, 2005 2:12 PM

You're right , Pam. TheI event I ws referring to, was in January and I was in my naive 20's. I used to love the sun, but now I have to be careful after having a few "suspicous" moles removed and biopsied. Doctor warned me then. "Stay out of the sun." So where do I end up, Southern BC where last July and first 3 weeks of Augustt, it was clear, Sunny and very hot every day. Gorgeous, yes, but I could only be seen out in it from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and then after 3:00 pm. Otherwise, I had to stay either in the air conditioned house, or in the shade. Sigh... you live and learn....

you could still put your brugs on the south side - i have mine south west against a white stucco house which intensifies the heat a great deal
if we are going to have a lengthly period of really hot weather (not as likely for us as you) i roll the pots to a spot that has a little midafternoon shade relief
(definitely put your brugs pots on castored platforms because they will become enormous) plus its nice to change the plant decor from week to week

Good idea, Lynn. I'll give that a try. They should be ok for May and June in the front for sure. For July and August, I'll probably be doing some shifting. Last two summers, 35C was not uncommon.

In July and August I have mine set where they will get the morning sun up till noon.

That sounds like an East exposure, right Pam. That is the only exposure I don't have. Carport and Garage take up half the lot on the east side and pool and outdoor shed the other half.

Pool???? why aren't we having the RU at your house??? drooling

LOL No big deal, Linda. It's an above ground type. DH wants to pull it out this spring. We found that the chemicals required to maintain it were really expensive this past summer for the amount of time we used it. It was nice when my 3 year old grandson came, but other than that, we didn't use it all that much.

at RU i will tell you the shaggy dog stories of the pools in our family (a 45 year history and growing)