Question
This is similar to the question on the site regarding a frozen aloe.  I have a large native plant xeroscape area with many african aloes, other aloes, bulbine, and cactus.  We had a brief ice storm and they are looking bad.  The middles of some are still green but they are mostly grey and mushy.  Should I cut them back, dig them up, or what?  In your other answer you said be patient and leave them alone but how does the new growth get through the dead part (these are rather large specimens).  I'm also concerned about the bulbine.
Thanks for any help.


Answer
Dear Peggy,

Generally, the dead parts will help protect the rest of the plant if there is another cold snap. I would be interested to know what varieties of Aloe's you have, because most are pretty hardy. I have no experience with Bulbine, however what I've read they are not very frost tolerant. See if this link has any information you might need.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Asphodelaceae/Bulbine.html

If you have tree Aloe's and the stem froze, then the plant may be lost. If it is just the crown that is damaged, the plant should recover, again dependent on which type of Aloe. But what ever you do, don't water the plants. If there is any rot present, watering the plant may accelerate the problem. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg