This is all relative. In Arizona I don't mulch at all in the greenhouse,
and my plants get chilly (perhaps down to 35--45F every night for a
month or so) but I don't think this counts as a cold snap. I don't think
you should mulch at all in florida. You live in or even south of their
normal range (OK, I should specify distance from the equator so as not
to confuse the Australians! :) ) so why do it? With Sarrs, err on the
cold side. If you get it too cold, they don't care. Just don't freeze the
pots solid unless you really know what you're doing. I lost some wonderful
plants one winter this way (_S. oreophila, rubra jonesii, purpurea purpurea
heterophylla, purpurea purpurea_) and was *very* upset.
For those of you interested in that Scripps Aquarium stuff that Gordon
posted, I called and found the time for public comment has been extended
to April. FAX to 301-713-0376, att: Carol Fairfield and state your
views. They haven't decided what the closing date is yet. They have no
information they can give out regarding this whale stuff.
Barry