Insulated Plant Cover

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Posted by @ShadyGreenThumb on
Special plants call for special measures when it comes to protection from the cold. Try this boxing technique.

I have a very special plant that I want to help through the winter months. In our zone 9a region, often a sheet or frost blanket helps to keep frost from damaging our tender outdoor plants, but sometimes those special tropical plants need a little extra attention and extra warmth. A cloth covering helps, but it is often not enough. The next layer of protection could be an overturned trash can, an upside-down pot or bucket, or as in this case, a cardboard box.

This box was initially too short for the height of the plant that I wanted to protect, so I taped up the end flaps to extend it.

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This is the special part: On the inside, I used bubble wrap and styrofoam left over from holiday gift packing. I am not a packrat, but I know valuable gardening stuff when I see it, so I saved it.

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This bubble wrap happened to be lined with silver mylar, giving it an even higher insulation value.

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I lined the box with the material and taped it down to give it all the benefits of holding in heat/keeping cold out. I used painter's tape here, but if you want to go all the way, try using aluminum tape all around the seams to further insulate the box.

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In addition to the cloth cover and box, this special plant will be wrapped up in an old-fashioned, non-LED strand of Christmas lights.

These attempts to help a tropical plant survive temperatures many degrees lower than recommended might help keep it alive. I know it can't hurt it!

Keep warm, My Plant Loving Friends!

 
Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
insulated plant box by ndantonio2 Jan 26, 2015 11:32 AM 1
An easy thermometer by coboro Jan 17, 2015 1:24 PM 0
great idea by drdawg Jan 14, 2015 1:33 PM 0
grow box by plantcollector Jan 14, 2015 10:52 AM 0
Good idea ! by quietyard Jan 13, 2015 9:22 PM 0

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