A couple days ago it was -46C and -58C with the wind chill ( a new record low temperature on December 13) at the Edmonton International Airport. And we’re not even into January yet! Fortunately, we have pretty good snow cover so semi-hardy roses will probably come through the winter okay. This brutal weather is a reminder to work more with the native roses in breeding programs. For sure I’m especially going to step up my work with Rosa acicularis.
It’s hard to conceive of a woody plant whose vascular system could withstand that kind of freezing.
What is the temperature inside a snow drift when the air temp is THAT cold? Surely it’s below 0C?
Wow Paul that is just too dang cold. That
Thats nasty Paul. Speaking of R. acicularis I am using the seedling listed below in breeding with the hopes that it will contribute to the development of new cold tolerant shrubs.
Yes that was a real reality check for Edmonton, hit a balmy -30C down here 300 km south. The portlands, bourbons and everything not prairie breed was also not protected beyond snow to about 12 inches.
It sure will be a test Mercedes (rh) moyessi and Alpenfee.
For whatever the reason, I think the Edmonton International Airport must be somewhat of a weather anomaly with the vast temperature differences sometimes recorded there.
-46
Speaking of fortuitous coincidence of circumstances or balancing ying and yang, just heard from my hardy prairie rose supplier tonight and I have confirmed on reserve
BETTY WILL
HAIDEE
SUZANNE
MRS. MINA LINDEL
GOLDEN ALTAI
DOUBLE CARLOS RED
PRAIRIE PEACE
LEAFLAND DOUBLE ALTAI
Wow Paul! I do not envy you! I remember the days growing up in Fairbanks. I couldn’t believe that Los Angeles could have 70’s while we had temps like you are experiencing!
Hope the best for you and your roses!
Jim Sproul
Paul,
Sounds like Manitoba. Fortunately the cold moderated before hitting here because we have almost no snow cover. Our coldest was -30c. So we just have to wait until spring to see what was affected.
Leo