With record lows in December and over 18 days of subfreezing temperatures, it’s no wonder Florida’s fern crop has taken a blow. The cold temperatures have also devastated 9,000 acres of vegetable crops (squash, peppers, cucumber, and others) causing an estimated $273 million in damage, according to Florida’s Agricultural Department.

However, Jana Register of FernTrust, a cooperative of Florida fern growers, says the Valentines Day crop is A-Okay! The growers used a process called icing to keep the ferns alive. They coat the ferns in water to build up a layer of ice around them. This will keep the plants at freezing temperatures and shield them from the extreme cold outside. The problem is the weight of the ice and the harsh winds. It has been reported that an estimated 50-70% of the young fern crop was damaged. Leatherleaf ferns take to the icing very well, but you may see shortages of Asparagus plumosa and Ssprengeri.

Luckily, the Valentines Day fern crop was mature enough to handle the rough conditions and will be just fine come February. It’s the period just after Valentines Day you might see some shortages. Easter falls late this year, but it’s less than 3 weeks away from Mother’s Day. It will be a hectic early year, but FernTrust is optimistic.

Consumers: Order Valentines Day flowers early to ensure you get the best and freshest foliage available. If ferns are unavailable to your local florist, there are tons of other great filler foliages they will use to keep your Valentines Day flowers looking fantastic!

Original story via GrowerTalks’ magazine.

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