Question
I live just north of Daytona Beach.  This past week we had 3 nights of freezing temperatures.  This severely damaged the papayas (though covered), the banana trees, one of the gardenias and the rubber tree.  Will any of these "come back" and if so, what should be done for each to promote regrowth?

Answer
Hi Debbie, the Papayas are probably toast, but the Bananas should show new growth in a couple of weeks if the root system wasn't compromised by the freeze, you need to wait and see on them; the same holds true for the Rubber tree, it will shed most its leaves and then you need to watch for new growth. The Banana should have the melted leaves cut off and then watch for a new emerging shoot, keep them watered. The Papaya is so easy to grow from seed, that its not even worth worrying about, take it or them down and start new ones. Nick