Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?

Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381692

By MaxVft -  Thu May 20, 2021 10:32 pm
Location:  Silverton, Oregon - Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  1214
Joined:  Sat May 08, 2021 4:17 am

- Thu May 20, 2021 10:32 pm #381692

The title has it all.This is what I mean by "thunderstorm":
There's hail and everything,and it should be like this all of next week.Their water bowls are soaked,along with the soil.The hail was also so big that it set off one of the *big* traps. I bring them inside,or risk killing them with root rot,or let them embrace the pain?I have them inside at the moment until you guys help me out.
Happy growing
Max

Last edited by MaxVft on Thu May 20, 2021 10:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

”ITS DA FRIGGIN’ BAT!!!”

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381693

By albertoburrito -  Thu May 20, 2021 10:34 pm
Location:  Chandler, Arizona, United States- Zone 9
Posts:  422
Joined:  Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:34 am

- Thu May 20, 2021 10:34 pm #381693

The hail will probably smash the leaves. I bring them in when it's storming.

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381696

By Panman -  Thu May 20, 2021 11:05 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6397
Joined:  Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:41 pm

- Thu May 20, 2021 11:05 pm #381696

Hail is bad. If you can cover it temporarily with a tarp, toy might try that.

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Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381742

By specialkayme -  Fri May 21, 2021 1:44 pm
Location:  Piedmont area, NC
Posts:  297
Joined:  Tue Apr 13, 2021 11:02 am

- Fri May 21, 2021 1:44 pm #381742

I leave mine outside during thunderstorms, even with hail.

VFTs are native to coastal NC, which gets frequent hurricanes (even with hail). They'll survive just fine.

Grow List: topic52649.html

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381743

By Panman -  Fri May 21, 2021 1:57 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6397
Joined:  Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:41 pm

- Fri May 21, 2021 1:57 pm #381743

specialkayme wrote: ↑Fri May 21, 2021 1:44 pm VFTs are native to coastal NC, which gets frequent hurricanes (even with hail). They'll survive just fine.

While this is true, in their native habitat, they are partially sheltered by tall grasses and brush. Also, in nature losing one plant that takes a direct hit from a chunk of ice isn't a problem. Losing one plant from a collection is a more significant problem.

I think you are better off to play it safe and, if possible, provide some sort of protection in the most extreme weather, such as hail. Rain and wind are generally not problems as long as the pots you are using are stable, won't blow over, and you can drain them when the rain is done. I grow my plants outside all year long in Georgia. The only time they get additional protection is from freezing temperatures and very severe weather. Thunderstorms without hail aren't a problem.

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Toes in the water, ankles wet, and knees damp.

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381745

By specialkayme -  Fri May 21, 2021 2:09 pm
Location:  Piedmont area, NC
Posts:  297
Joined:  Tue Apr 13, 2021 11:02 am

- Fri May 21, 2021 2:09 pm #381745

Panman wrote:
specialkayme wrote: ↑Fri May 21, 2021 1:44 pm Also, in nature losing one plant that takes a direct hit from a chunk of ice isn't a problem.
It is exceedingly unlikely that a chunk of hail would cause the plant to die, unless the ice was softball sized and moving at 200 miles per hour. You're talking hail size large enough, and fast enough, to not only damage leaves, but massively impact root structures. In which case, you probably have bigger problems with damage to your house and car than you do from the loss of a plant in your collection. I know, because I've had my VFT hailed on.

That's not to say you shouldn't protect the VFT from hail if you're concerned about the aesthetics of the plant. But you don't need to do it for the plants sake.

Grow List: topic52649.html

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381748

By That one plant boi -  Fri May 21, 2021 2:55 pm
Posts:  823
Joined:  Mon Oct 09, 2017 7:34 pm

- Fri May 21, 2021 2:55 pm #381748

I leave my plants outside in all types of weather (save for severe hurricanes). Since I live in Central Florida though, I don't have experience with hail, but I would bring my plants in to prevent them from getting their precious leaves crushed.

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Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381749

By optique -  Fri May 21, 2021 2:59 pm
Location:  Greenville SC
Posts:  1925
Joined:  Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 pm

- Fri May 21, 2021 2:59 pm #381749

in 2019 my plants got shredded by hail, a month later you wouldn't notice the damage.

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381751

By MaxVft -  Fri May 21, 2021 3:05 pm
Location:  Silverton, Oregon - Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  1214
Joined:  Sat May 08, 2021 4:17 am

- Fri May 21, 2021 3:05 pm #381751

Hmm,there are quite a few different opinions on here,thus confusing me.Well what did I expect,this is a forum thread!So to simplify it,I have 3 options:
1:Leave it outside and hope for the best,
2:Leave it outside and cover it with a tarp,OR
3:Just leave the hassle behind and bring it inside.

”ITS DA FRIGGIN’ BAT!!!”

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381753

By Panman -  Fri May 21, 2021 3:21 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6397
Joined:  Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:41 pm

- Fri May 21, 2021 3:21 pm #381753

Concisely put, good sir! It all depends on your level of risk tolerance and how industrious (or lazy) you are.

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Panman's Etsy Shop - PreyingPlants
Find me on Instagram - PreyingPlants
Toes in the water, ankles wet, and knees damp.

Re: Safe to keep VFTs outside during a thunderstorm?#381754

By That one plant boi -  Fri May 21, 2021 3:25 pm
Posts:  823
Joined:  Mon Oct 09, 2017 7:34 pm

- Fri May 21, 2021 3:25 pm #381754

Yep, just depends on you!
I personally like when my plants are subjected to the potential harshness of nature, but I'd rather not have them completely pummeled lol.

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