What happens to the plant after a frost?
Essentially, the cold temperature freezes the water in the plant cells creating crystals that enlarge and expand, creating a rupture and leakage. When the plant cells are warmed by the morning sunlight, the water crystals melt leaving damaged cells behind. The longer the duration of the frost on the plant, the more severe the damage will be. The damage to the plant will depend on the duration and temperature affecting the plant. Some reports indicate that prolonged exposure of several hours with an air temperature of -2oC should be considered a killing frost. Other reports indicate that damage can occur at an air temperature of 0oC as the plants will feel the cold four to five degrees cooler.
