Bud Hardiness Reports

These tests are run to determine flower bud survivability at various low temperatures. Bud wood is placed in a refrigerated cold box and the temperature is slowly stepped down. Wood is then taken out of the box and allowed to rest. After resting, the flower buds are carefully dissected to determine if there is cold injury. Injury symptoms appear as browning and/or a water-soaked appearance in the flower tissue. The percentage of buds showing injury is then reported. As many as 200 buds can be dissected to determine percent kill at any one temperature. This work requires a high degree of horticultural knowledge and skill. WSU Extension appreciates R.E. Redman and Snokist Growers for their willingness to share their test results.