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Why does spraying oranges with water when it gets cold help?

In: Farm Crops, Citrus Fruit [Edit categories]

Answer:

Because the water freezes and puts a layer of ice on the fruit. This ice acts like an insulating blanket, protecting the plant from the colder than freezing temperatures that causes cellular wall damage that destroys the skin on the fruit and eventually the whole fruit.
"As the water freezes on the leaves, it gives off heat protecting the tree. The ice can also form an insulation barrier."

Close, but not quite. What the orange growers are relying on is a thermodynamic property (in this case, of water) called latent heat of fusion. Basically, since water can exist in its solid and liquid form simultaneously ONLY at 32° F, it will stay at that temperature until it is all frozen. So for a short-lived cold snap, this strategy can protect one's orange trees by having the sprayed-on water freeze essentially instead of the orange. But if it stays below freezing for an extended period, the oranges will freeze, too.

First answer by Hooweestik. Last edit by Hooweestik. Contributor trust: 2040 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 7 [recommend question].

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Sources and related links: [Edit]

UofF Extension - Microsprinkler Irrigation for Cold Protection of Florida Citrus

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