How do plants survive in frozen ground?

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twiggybuds Moss Point, MS(Zone 8b) Jan 06, 2008

I got off topic on one of the daylily threads and decided to bring my ignorant self over here for some serious discussion of what sounds like a stooopid question.

I invited folks to explain how it is that anything survives months in frozen ground. I mean think about everything else containing water, the cells swell and are permanently altered. Plants are practically all cellulose and water so how do they do it.

One answered that dormancy is suspended animation and they become impervious to outside conditions. Another said that they had some kind of chemical that acted as antifreeze and mentioned salt water does not freeze at 32*.

I can't figure out how to google for a proper answer so please help me out here.

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Jan 06, 2008

Hiya!!

How's this . . . . . http://www.ahherald.com/oaktrail/2002/oot020124_survive.htm

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twiggybuds Moss Point, MS(Zone 8b) Jan 06, 2008

So the two replies I originally mentioned were correct and even the expert doesn't have all the answers. Truly a miraculous happening. I sure hope there's plenty of ongoing research because it's bound to lead to some important stuff.

I'm ending the day more educated than I started. Thank you.

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dwr857 Winston Salem, NC(Zone 7b) Jan 06, 2008

That Makes two of us!

Great topic!

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Bettypauze Victoria Harbour, ON Jan 08, 2008

Going from 2 1/2 ft. of snow on Thursday to spring conditions and no snow, I briefly got to see my garden again..even passing by a lilac tree and though, couldn't possibly be a bud could it?

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gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) Jan 08, 2008

Want to know something even more wild? Some frogs freeze SOLID in the winter. No kidding, check it out:
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=160571&fr=

The parallel to plants having an antifreeze in the of sugar is amazing.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2008 1:02 PM

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dwr857 Winston Salem, NC(Zone 7b) Jan 08, 2008

GW that is just incredible. Thanks for the link. Amazing....

Don

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Desertdenial5 Tolleson, AZ(Zone 9a) Jan 08, 2008

Gw that is a great link.

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twiggybuds Moss Point, MS(Zone 8b) Jan 08, 2008

Gardenwife thank for that. I'm just astonished. I can hardly take it in for plants, let alone animals.

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gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) Jan 09, 2008

It's a wise and wondrous creation we're part of. :)

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