Syagrus romanzoffiana - Queen Palms

We're expecting strong winds this evening or tomorrow ... there's a Category 2 cyclone that's re-formed and apparently crossing the coast further north this evening. At the moment it's hot, sticky and very still. So maybe no monsoonal rains this year ... but cyclones instead!

Bernieh:

Oh my God! Is the cyclone going to hit your area? or just close? I hope all will be well with you and all your plants and property! Take care and stay safe.

We've had hurricane-force winds in many area of Southern Californa the last week with a half year to a year's worth of rain in some cities. It's been very wild!

It's a strong El Niño year...and I know that it affects the climate around the world. It especially has a big influence on cyclones (hurricanes) in the Pacific Ocean. Generally more than normal...due to the much warmer ocean waters.

hope it all settles down soon for u and Bernieh........these winds and cyclones sound serious stuff....

Great photo ....:o)))

Hi Andy ... no the cyclone is not expected to hit here ... it's supposed to cross the coast around 200 kms to the north, but these things are rather unpredictable so we're on a cyclone watch down here while up there they're on cyclone alert. It's only a Category 2 cyclone ... on a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest - so it's not considered too bad! Wind gusts would be between 125 and 170 kms per hour.

There seems to be some odd weather around the world at the moment.I'm sure your aware of the UK's cold snap.I think there may be more to come.

I think you are right Rbt....but hope you are wrong.
Bernieh and Andy.....stay safe....those winds sound horrendous!!!

Sandra:

The weather here has settled down today. Our typical sunny weather is back for now.

thank goodness for that....hope not too much damage..

Richard and Amblealice , i hope we are over the worst from the frosts. i have been checking the plants and most look ok...couple of casualtys but so far so good. but i dont want any more...

Sandra:

There's been widespread damage..some even severe all around California. Unfortunately, people have been killed and hurt by falling trees...and many homes have been crushed or badly damaged. I have a feeling today was a clean up day for many people through most of California.

It's extremely rare for San Diego to get such an intense storm just for one day...it's almost unheard of to receive 5 days of such weather. I don't think this has happened since the strong El Niño of 1983.

OMG thats awfull....the weather seems to be doing strange things around the world.

Sandra ... cyclones at this time of year is normal stuff for us! Sometimes we're lucky and it doesn't eventuate or we get small Category ones ... and then of course at other times we get the humdingers. It's part and parcel of life here in the summer. Fingers crossed it won't be too bad this year.

you have my sympathies Bernieh and Delonix....we dont have your cyclones here but as we are on the coast we can suffer huge winds gusting up the valley..my fingers are crossed for u....

All is good so far Sandra ... wind gusts and heavy downpours, but all intermittently every hour or so. No sign of local flooding yet and the winds are not gale force, so we're pretty OK.

Bernieh:

I'm so glad to hear you've weathered the storm well!

I bet you're happy you received some good rains for all the plants. : >)

The garden and I are jumping for joy!! Everything just perks up suddenly ... and there's some lovely green grass out in the yard.

Bernieh:

I'm so happy for you! It's a nice feeling to see lots of green. : > )

I've had the same thing here...lots of grass and weeds (lol) in my yard...and all over the the city.

I purposely don't grow grass...it takes too much water -- and the plants need it more than grass. : > )

We don't water the grass here either Andy ... it's brown for around nine or ten months of the year. But right now ... it's almost all green. We've had non-stop rain all day today and more predicted for tomorrow ... it certainly won't match last end-of-summer's torrential downpour, but we're not complaining.

Bernieh:

Good news all the rain...I bet it feel very sultry though. : > )

I have bermuda grass (which I hate!) and weeds usually in Jan/Feb/March depending on the weather...then it all dies and dries out like a bone. LOL!

weeds only in jan-march...i my dreams...lol mineare getting ready to take over in my garden

Sandra:

I do have Bermuda grass and weeds in areas where I water my plants -- all year. : > )

What a shame it blew down and looks the tallest too.

Sixpence:

It was actually the tree second to the left not right. It was a shame...these tall Queen Palms are probably more than 70 years old.

My goodness 70 there is no instant replacement for that then what a shame.

Sixpence:

Well, 30 - 40ft (9 -13m) tall tress are commonly available for cheap, because they grow fast to 50ft/16m(after this height they slow down)...however, to grow to 70ft/21m or taller (like these trees) it takes a long time.

Yes of course and such an age at that.