
Gardening is not so much fun when the weather gets as warm as it has been recently. It is more comfortable to stay inside with air conditioning, or at least where it is shadier. The plants out in the garden are on their own. Except only for those that are potted, they do not have the option of coming in out of the heat.
Most plants actually do not mind the sort of heat that is uncomfortable for us. Some actually enjoy it. The problem is that heat often occurs in conjunction with other weather conditions that can collectively become really unpleasant for plants.
Minimal humidity makes otherwise unpleasantly warm weather more comfortable for us, but can desiccate foliage that prefers more humidity. Japanese aralia, fuchsia, rhododendron, split-leaf philodendron and many other plants that should not mind warmth can get roasted if warm weather is also too dry. Because sunlight enhances the process, exposed foliage is much more susceptible to damage. To make matters worse, sunlight is more penetrating through clear dry air.
Wind that makes us feel a bit cooler in warm temperatures can likewise cause desiccation as it draws more moisture from foliage. Finely textured plants like Japanese maple, many ferns and some grasses, are particularly susceptible. Offshore wind, like the famous Santa Anna Winds of Southern California, are the worst, because they come in both hot and dry from more arid inland areas, combining all three factors of minimal humidity, heat and wind.
Many of the plants that are susceptible to damage from heat happen to be tropical or subtropical plants that typically enjoy heat as long as the air is humid and still. Others are ‘understory’ plants that naturally live in the shelter of higher trees, so do not like direct sun exposure or wind. Yet, even substantial trees, like fern pine (Podocarpus spp.) and even redwood, can get a bit roasted if the weather gets hot, dry and windy enough.
Conservation of water makes warm weather even more uncomfortable for sensitive plants. They really want more water to keep their foliage and stems well hydrated. Hosing ferns and grasses when things get really hot helps to cool the foliage, and briefly increase the ambient humidity. Because thin young bark is more susceptible to sun-scald in hot weather, pruning that would expose more bark should be delayed until the weather turns cool again.
An interesting post. I was amazed to read somewhere how much water passes through a mature oak tree in a day. It seemed so much I was not sure whether to believe it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Valley oak goes through a lot of water, which seems strange, even to me; and I grew up with them. They grow out in open grasslands where they get dry through summer, but are nonetheless classified as a potentially riparian tree. Redwood consume much more water. I can not help but wonder where they get it all from!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I was wondering.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Also, it is a wonder as to ‘why’ they relinquish SO much moisture where moisture is scarce.
LikeLike
Down here, it’s often advised not to water in the middle of the day, as water droplets can magnify the effect of the sun on sensitive plants.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember that also, but have never seen evidence of it. I have seen sensitive plants mildew if watered too late, but have never seen foliage burned by water droplets. I still wonder about that. Has anyone ever actually seen it happen?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been brutal here, but we’ve also taken the time to plant things that can tolerate these issues, or plant things where their surroundings help them limp through. I have hydrangeas that are flourishing desoite the intense dry heat because they are on drip, mulched, and are sheltered from wind and excessive sun. It makes all the difference.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Goodness, hydrangeas wilt even here! I would be concerned about them getting crispy if it were any warmer or any drier.
LikeLiked by 1 person