In the cold season we have less to do in the garden and on the balcony. What is important now is to closely monitor temperatures and, if necessary, react in time, because when temperatures drop below zero degrees some plants have to move to warmer rooms.

Domestic perennials have little to no problem with freezing temperatures. Other plants, such as those in tropical areas, do not easily survive winter outdoors in certain areas of our country.

WHAT PLANTS SPEND THE WINTER INDOORS?

When deciding whether a plant should hibernate outdoors, in a winter garden or in a greenhouse, it is good to know where the plant came from.

Exotic plants and some Mediterranean plants do not tolerate frost or only few and short-lived. So that these plants can be easily placed in warmer winter quarters, they are usually planted in pots.

A general rule of thumb for correct placement is:

• The warmer the room, the lighter the plants need.
• Permanent temperatures between two and seven degrees Celsius in moderate light are ideal for most potted plants.
• Evergreens should be in well-lit places.
• Those that lose their leaves in autumn can also remain in semi-darkness.

THESE PLANTS MUST BE ENTERED BEFORE THE FIRST FROST

Plants that are left to dry in winter, can stay in a cool and dark place and only become active again in spring and are not very difficult to hibernate. These include the following potted plants:

• Geraniums hibernate best in a bright place on the unheated staircase, in the unheated winter garden or in the cold basement (below 10 degrees). When preparing them, you need to remove all flowers and leaves and shorten the stems to 10 cm. Then, remove the geranium from the pot, remove the potting soil and wrap the plant in newspaper, or leave the geranium in the pot and don’t water it until spring.
• Cane of the Indies. Place the pot with the plant in the cool basement. It is important that you do not water it until March. Do not remove the leaves until they have dried then the rhizome will be reinforced and cut close to the ground. It sprouts again in spring, when that happens remove the old soil and plant it in new soil. Now water moderately and place the perennial in a bright place.
• Dahlias. You must enter the dahlias after the first frost at the latest. The rule is to do it as soon as possible, the better. Carefully remove dahlias from the bed with a shovel or hand rake. If they continue to grow, remove the soil well and cut the leaves about 5 cm above the tubers. Also cut rotten or dry areas. Then place the bulb in a wooden box or on a cardboard and let it dry well for a few days. Then, store them in sand and/or old, dry potting soil in a box.

HIBERNATE MEDITERRANEAN PLANTS IN POT

Mediterranean plants that are not frost-resistant can also hibernate easily. A permanently lit, cool (5 – 10 degrees) and frost-free place is suitable for this, preferably next to a window that faces south or southwest. You should be careful to water them only moderately.

Many Mediterranean potted plants tolerate light frosts for a short period of time. However, the following plants should not experience temperatures permanently below -5 degrees Celsius if possible:

• Oleander
• Citrus plants
• Laurel
• Olive tree

This category also includes agapanthus that even likes slightly lower temperatures between two and seven degrees. With those temperatures they bloom profusely the following year. If the temperature is warmer the flowering power weakens.

Other plants that can be included in this category are fuchsias, lantanas, and angel trumpets.

COUNCILS:

• Do you have large Mediterranean plants in your garden? Then it is worth asking the nearest nursery whether it is possible to winter in your greenhouse.
• Any citrus sprouts that grow upwards and do not bear fruit should be cut before wintering.
• Oleanders and olive trees should be cut in spring after spending the winter.

WHAT PLANTS SPEND THE WINTER OUTDOORS AND HOW?

Domestic, perennial, and hardy plants from other countries can also overwinter in the pot, that includes shrubs native to North America, perennial grasses, and small trees.

More sensitive plants such as lavender, camellias, young fruit trees and most roses can only survive the winter in the garden with proper protection. For this purpose, a thick layer of mulch or spruce twigs should be placed on the ground.

For potted plants in the garden, it makes sense to cover the pot with heat. You can firmly fix thick wool or coconut mats around. In the case of young or Mediterranean trees, it is best to ask a gardener if it makes sense to put a loose fleece hood on it.

MAKING PLANTS GET THROUGH THE WINTER PROPERLY

In order for you to enjoy your plants again in summer, it is important not only the hibernation itself, but also the proper preparation of winter quarters. These tips will help you:

1. Take the potted plants out of their old substrate and plant them in a new one. This minimizes the risk of them being attacked by pests.
2. Catch annoying mosquitoes, one of the most common pests when hibernating plants indoors, with traps catching mosquitoes (yellow adhesive papers).
3. You should not fertilize the plants from late August to March.
4. Water the plants only moderately and avoid waterlogging at all costs.
5. Potted plants that are outdoors and wrapped with fleece or a coconut mat are best placed on clay bricks or legs so that the protective material does not come into direct contact with the soil and begins to rot.
6. If the drought persists and temperatures are mild to warm, you should water the potted plants. Those who stay outdoors in winter are more likely to suffer from drought, the so-called frost dryness, since more than the cold, the water evaporates with frost and sun.
7. Pots can be placed in groups or on the wall of the house. Then the pots don’t cool down so quickly.
8. Never place pots inside too soon. Always be attentive to the weather trend.
9. Outdoor perennials, whether in pots or beds, should never be trimmed before winter. This makes them more sensitive to frost and prevents numerous insects from overwintering.
10. Place the plants that hibernate quickly back outside. Whether they must return indoors depends on weather conditions.
11. Cut dry shoots.
12. In spring, it is better to fertilize potted plants with long-term fertilizers, such as primitive rock meal, horn shavings or horse dung and plant them with fresh soil in a larger container.

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