FreezePruf

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:25 pm

Has anyone had any experience with this? I'm thinking about ordering some (from http://www.liquidfence.com/FreezePruf.html ), but I'd like to hear about people's experiences (if any) with it before I do. If it does protect up to the extra 9 F, then it could be quite beneficial to my palms.

Thanks!

Cameron.

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:17 pm

This is a new product this year Cameron. I wouldn't expect to gain 9 degrees in our climate but Dr. Franko is no joke so it has to work to some form. I will try it this year, I think it will do the most good on my S. magnolias. I still need to do my homework though, people like us are needed for these products to be supported so I gotta try it.

Bill

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:43 pm

Sounds almost too good to be true.
Wonder what it's made of...a salt product? nope, if they say it doesn't harm plants.
A silicone-type film? that'd choke the leaves eventually.

Interesting claims.
Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:59 pm

Barb have you ever tried wilt-pruf? I think my Southern Mags are going to need something being totally expossed this winter. I just emailed dupont about there frost blankets they sell at lowes. I asked if I could wrap it around my Lil Gems to reduce winter burn from sun and wind. Will see what they say, I'm not really interested in taking it on and off if you know what I mean

Bill

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:15 am

Haven't tried wilt pruf, but many years ago some small spruce were getting burned from winter sun.
The next Fall I sprayed on some kind of anti-dessicant, but didn't reapply it after rain/snow.
Until this year, I had only yucca filamentosa outside in winter.

Will look forward to your posting their reply.
Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:20 pm

Well here is duponts responce. "The Frost blankets needs to be removed anytime the temperature reaches 65 or above." A little more vague then I was hoping for, they didn't really answer the question about the winter burn but it can't hurt the frost cloth should help I would think.

Bill

Okanagan desert-palms · Post by **Okanagan desert-palms** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:06 pm

Freeze-pruf from Dr. Franco Palms won`t grow here and other myths. Now working as the dean of plant biology for the university of Alabama I think. I would like to see verifiable proof it works before I buy it. Sounds good though.

John

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:10 pm

Interesting reply, nevertheless Bill.

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:42 am

There are papers in press. Francko himself came to defend the product on the Southeastern board last week or so. He said they have been sucessful getting W. robusta through 17f without harm (22-23 usually fries them)... Something like 5f is the usual added benefit.

I've got 3 bottles that I'll be trying this coming winter. I am curious to see how it all works... Though, from what I understand you need to reapply every 6 weeks. Oh, and it needs to be above 10C for best absorbtion.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:36 am

Something like this has to be tried,there is a video on their site where they put some flowers in a freezer and it protects them.he has been working on this for a while so,it wouldn't surprise me that much if they did find the right combo.This stuff would be fun to try on a Trachy or Sabal that you wanted to expose to as much winter weather as possible!

Hey Bill-
I have tried Wilt pruf,I don't think it was under the best conditions.I would recommend using it after the plant has seen some cold so that it's natural defenses could kick in first.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:53 am

lucky1 wrote:Sounds almost too good to be true.
Wonder what it's made of...a salt product? nope, if they say it doesn't harm plants.
A silicone-type film? that'd choke the leaves eventually.

Interesting claims.
Barb

Kind of thinking the same thing. If it does what it says I would buy it. I wonder if it would work the same on cactus?

Dave Francko · Post by **Dave Francko** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:02 am

Folks, let me answer some of your questions about FreezePruf, and then as you have good experiences with it I hope you'll email me and share. The Liquid fence forlks are creating a new website that will have LOTS of data and testimonials on it, but it is not comepleted yet. You CAN go to http://liquidfencenews.com for news articles of interest about the product.

FreezePruf contains 2 cryoprotectants. One is a low molecular weight compound that penetrates cells and lowers their freezing temp. The other is a high molecular weight compound that stays outside the cells, drawing water from the cells in a non-destructive way and thus further lowering the freezing point of the cells and lowering the freezing point of the extracellular water. That 2nd ingredient also protects cell membranes from ice crystal damage when it gets cold enough for ice to form. There is also are another ingredient that strengthen cell walls directly, a high-potency antidessicant (reduces water loss and keeps formulation from washing out for 4 -6 weeks) and a plant-specific surfactant to get it into the leaves, flowers, and fruit.

ALL of the ingredients are either in human food products or used to grow fruits and vegetables so there are NO toxicity issues - you can spray food plants and eat them with no worries. It works on folage, flowers, AND fruits. And, believe me, if that were not true the regulators in each of the 50 states would NOT allow us to say it!

What is unique about FreezePruf is BOTH an antifreeze agent that adds a couple weeks to the fall and spring ends of the growing season for tender plants AND it is a "Zone extender" for hardier plants - - all the way down to plants that can tolerate, say 5 F.

I have an extensive data set for palms, ranging from subtropicals like Washingtonias to very hard palms like Trachys. And uniformly, FreezePruf adds 4 - 6 F to both the temperature that damage first occurs AND the temp that causes foliar mortality. Sprayed on the spear leaf, it drips down into the crown cavity and also protects the bud tissue. As some of the posts indicate, we have reported extensive data in the patent application (including a LOT of field data) and the upcoming journla submission will inlcude three years of field work in addition to lab work. Specifically, with Trachys, it lowers the first damage temp to around 5 to 6F instead of 10 to 12F.

So... this is NOT a 'miracle' product - - you will NOT be able to overwinter intact bananas in Zone 7 or get a Washintonia through anything below about 15F without servere burn. But it WILL add the equivalent of about a 1/2 USDA Zone to your plants, AND it can be used in conjunction with other winter protection (e.g., holiday lights, blankets, whatever) - - and give you the extra 5 F edge.

And it WILL keep those bananas and tomatoes from taking a dive when the first frost hits in fall - - or that late frost in spring when all your stuff is out and growing. For some of the high-water-content tropicals we did get as much as 9.4F improvement in cold tolerance, but for most tender tropicals that are toast even after only 15 min or so at 32-33F, you can experience several hours at 30-32F with only minor margin burn and even an hour or so at 27-28 F and 2 -3 total hours below freezing.

The proof is in the doing, so give it a try and please tell me how it works for you!!

It is hard for me to keep up with all the web boards and still do my "day" job (I'm Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Alabama), but I ALWAYS repond to emails promptly!

Best,
Dave Francko
dfrancko@ua.edu

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:13 am

it WILL add the equivalent of about a 1/2 USDA Zone

That's a considerable gain...in my case would physically equate to a 2 degree Latitude move (Okanagan to, say, Vancouver).
Which is all I can hope for.
Heater in the palm enclosure could kick in at colder temp too, saving $.

Have your excellent Palms Won't Grow Here, written when you were at UoO.
Hey, bet you've heard this before: your pic resembles Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel)

With your endorsement, I'm buying FreezePruf.
Barb

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:26 pm

Thanks for taking time to reply Dave,I was really interested in the effects on Washy's and Trachy's specifically so,very good.
This stuff would be great to try on palms that I really want to expose to as much "winter" weather as is reasonanble,as it would be cool to have some Trachys that you can leave uncovered
more often.Whats more fun then blowing peoples minds when they see your palms exposed in the middle of winter!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:52 pm

That hotel in Iowa would've been a real test.

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:45 pm

That was really cool for Dr Francko to write in. I'm looking forward to reading some of the testimonials from others with the product. It's seemed to work well for me so far on my washies into the mid 20's a few times now as you guys know. Unfortunately that's all I plan on letting it get to. I'm covering them this weekend before we get 5 days of rain.

I should have put it on some of my nanas I had plenty of it, but the weather men blew the first frost. My bad! I'll try it in April when they wake up.

Bill

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:54 pm

Make sure you post pictures this weekend!

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:08 pm

This one's for Francko!

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:12 pm

What are you talking about Scott, I see a sabal palmetto in the background? LOL!!! I'll post some pictures.

Bill

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:55 pm

Wouldn't have helped at all,they baked the trunks and freeze dried the crowns.
They probably saw -20(F) with 50mph winds-and that was just one of the Arctic burst's of which there were many more last winter.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:43 pm

Cool Scotty

Here's the research link for Freeze-Pruf, the pics alone convinced me.
http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2008/jul08/spray070808.htm

Barb

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:21 pm

Great reply, Dr. Francko. It's reassuring to see an inventor of a product standing behind it and actually taking the time to talk to the consumers about it. I'll be trying Freeze-Pruf next year for sure!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:23 pm

My order was placed today.
Rather than from a Cdn distributor, it's coming from LiquidFence, in Philadelphia, the company that bought it from UoOhio/Dr.Francko.
Shipping is more than the product.

Anybody know if it can be used on yuccas?

I am excited that spraying this on has the same effect as my palms wintering 4-5 hours' drive south of me.
That's a bonus!

Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:17 am

Got my order.
But it's supposed to be applied in ABOVE FREEZING temps.
And it's -8C 17F.

My Nainital is unprotected.
Now what do I do?

Barb

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:35 pm

Barb
If you could throw a plastic trash can or something over it with some X-mas lights you could raise the temp enough to apply-
I don't think its explosive,maybe you can let us know

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:07 pm

Good idea.

I don't think its explosive

Barb

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:11 pm

-8, ouch! Right now its around 12 degrees and rainy

, although next wednesday its supposed to go down to -5 !!

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:24 pm

Good deal Cameron, This has really been some nice weather. 72 here today and sunny as can be, the rain blew through this morning with some crazy wind gusts. I was Just outside looking at all my palms and things in my t-shirt for about an hour. Might be the last time for a while it's this nice a midnight!

Bill

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:39 am

Yea Bill it's 75 here right now,Oops

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 4:48 pm

Quit braggin' about your balmy weather, guys!

I sprayed FreezePruf on the palmhut Trachy today.

The container says it'll spray even in the upside down position, and it did!
Liberal application, but I didn't know whether I should really SOAK the spear.

And the Nainital:

Also "prufed" the Yucca rostrata x ?, even tho don't know if it'll work on yuccas.
Didnt take a pic of that, fingers were too cold.

In the next 2-3 days our high will be -10C 14F, and a low of -18C Zero F.
(@##&*@#)

Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:51 pm

Looks good Barb, sorry to hear about your weather. If it makes you feel any better it's snowing here right now

I drenched the washies big time when I did it, soaked the spear too. I'll do the spear again right before they go in there huts.

Bill

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:46 pm

Bill, you went from 70F the other day to snow today? Sheesh

You soaked the spear? I didn't know how much should run down into it.
Should I do the whole trunk too?
And the undersides of fronds?

Stuff sure smells funny, doesn't it.
I can't figure out that smell, but I have smelled it before...somewhere.

Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:03 am

Barb,
I sprayed both sides of the leaves, I'm not sure if I read that somewhere or just thought is was a good idea.
I think letting it get into the bud is a good idea too, I'm going to spray all of mine before I totally cover then.
If you put it on the trunk you'll just be wasting your money since the fibers are so thick.

Snow palm pictures on the way later tonight!

Bill

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:23 am

How much snow did you guys get last night Bill?

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:54 am

Just about 2 inches, it was wet so it froze on everything. The saw palmetto is the only thing that's sulking at the moment, it'll bounce back though it's nice and sunny. South side of house is melting quick, still cold on the north. One of my needles and two of the minors are still in the shade, I had to scrape the icy snow of them a few minutes ago, sun will be there soon for there rescue.

Bill

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:51 am

Barb
I was actually kidding Bill about his warm temps,if you look at the weather sticker you could see it was cold here that's why I wrote Oops–

I agree with spraying the spear,any leafy material and growth points.
I ordered some the other day,just hope my palms are still here when it gets here

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:00 pm

Ya, I get it

One thing about weather stickers that bugs me...
have you noticed that ALL of your weather stickers change to what your most recent posting/temperature was?

You'd think the weather sticker from a post in, say, July would be "locked in" and not change to reflect the temperature of your posting in December!

Barb

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:32 pm

I guess we could post our own temp at the time of posting

They were doing it on EPS but some people got annoyed(esp the moderators)because it used up a lot of space.
Not what you were saying,O.K.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:02 pm

It's just that looking back on a July posting, it's a little stupid to see -2C.
Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:11 pm

None of my posts that I did before having the banner have none, I'm thinking it's not a super sophisticated program

Bill

PalmsNorth.com

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