Overwintering your flowers isn’t just about moving them. A successful transition requires a lot of things to consider. And because we want everything to go well, I suggest you discover the 9 steps you must follow to bring your plants into line with the rules of the art. Take a look and be sure not to forget anything to have healthy plants for next spring.
Tropical plants fear cold and frost
When should plants be brought indoors?
As a general rule, you should bring in your flowers according to their level of hardiness. Please note that it is best not to bring them in at the last minute. When the nighttime temperature drops less than 10 degrees, it’s high time to act. The veranda and the winter garden remain two perfect places to let your plants spend the winter. The garage can also be a solution, be careful at home, only unheated rooms are best suited for overwintering your flowers.
Even indoors, avoid drafts
Tropical plants are the most sensitive and should be overwintered first. These are the hibiscus and the palm tree. Please note that citrus fruits don’t like the cold either. Oleander, fuchsia, begonia, bougainvillea must all be brought in.
Fuchsia continues to flower in winter, as does begonia.
#Organize wintering in advance
It is important not to wait for the frosts to arrive. Because if you bring them in too late, the whole plant can turn yellow and lose its leaves or flowers. Ideally, this should be done when the outside temperature is the same as the inside. Experts advise for 7 consecutive days to bring them in only at night and take them out in the morning. In this way, your plant will adapt wonderfully to these new conditions.
Tropical plants need humidity to thrive
#Inspect the plant carefully for insects
Before bringing your flowers in, it is important to inspect them for the presence of insects. It is not recommended to bring infected plants indoors. Clean and care for your flowers by spraying the leaves with homemade insecticide products such as a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. And if there are insects in the potting soil, you can just immerse the pot in soapy water. You can soak the root ball in the mixture for a few minutes.
Geraniums need to be brought in
#Give them a new appearance
If your plant has grown a lot, you can prune it or possibly move it to a larger pot. Remember to remove dead leaves and broken branches. Using a cotton pad, I also advise you to clean the leaves of dust.
You should never repot a plant in a pot that is too large.
#Stop fertilizer inputs
During the winter, plants need rest. To do this, stop fertilizer applications and start again in spring so that they can get back on track. Along the same lines, watering should be spaced out. Be sure to ventilate the rooms regularly.
#Position the flowers according to their needs
It is necessary to take into account the needs of each plant in terms of temperature, exposure and watering. Citrus fruits, like the lemon tree, tolerate being placed in a greenhouse or in the veranda with an average temperature of maximum 16 degrees and a little light. As for aromatic plants, you can bring them in, be sure to provide them with a place bathed in light. You should not tighten them too much to avoid the appearance of diseases.
Reproducing similar conditions is a key step
#Additional cold insulation
Some plants will need additional insulation in the form of mats or something else.
#Check them regularly
Finally, take a look at your plants, because you are never safe from insects. But also the humidity level, it should not be abused. Don’t forget to overwinter your plants outside like lavender, for example.
#Make cuttings
Know that this is the ideal time to take cuttings and propagate your plants. Cuttings that you can easily transport in a large pot next spring. Please note, cuttings are taken before the plant goes dormant and only for the most vigorous species. For the others, you can wait until spring when they will have regained their strength and can multiply quietly.
There are plants that need dormancy in winter, like dalhias
