Green house: Surviving the Freeze

Come winter, and gardening enthusiasts gear up to infuse their gardens with the vibrant colours of winter blooms. Annuals, loved for their season-long continuous flowering and ability to withstand the winter chill, are a popular choice for adding life and dynamism to the landscape. But as temperatures plummet and rain pounds, many of these dainty blooms wither and flower beds and pots wear a barren look.

However, despite facing challenges from frigid temperatures, frost and reduced sunlight during the winter months of January and February in north India, winter annuals can thrive with proper care.

Protecting plants and buds from frost, ensuring adequate sunlight, and maintaining well-draining soil are essential to save the colourful look of your garden.

Tending Tips

• Cover plants with frost-proof cloth at night and remove it during the day.
• Apply a layer of straw or dried leaves around the base to insulate roots.
• Water plants in the morning to allow adequate drying time before nightfall, reducing the risk of frost damage and fungal diseases.
• Ensure plants receive maximum sunlight by placing them in sunny spots like terraces or south or west facing areas. Shorter days and reduced sunlight intensity limits photosynthesis.
• Use of well-draining soil prevents waterlogging, which can damage roots in cold weather.
• Ensure adequate spacing between plants to allow for better air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Here’s what you can do to save your home garden in chilly winter months:

Periodic Care

Rotate pots weekly to ensure even light exposure, promoting balanced growth and compensating for reduced winter sunlight.

Fertilise, when buds begin to emerge with a potassium-rich solution (1 gram per litre of water) every 10 days. Potassium strengthens buds and enhances flower quality.

Remove spent blooms twice a week to encourage continuous flowering and prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production.

Managing Pests

Regularly monitor plants for pests such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs which can persist even during winter.

For broad-spectrum insect control, a solution of 1 ml Mit 505 (contact insecticide) and 1 ml Monocrotophos (systemic and contact insecticide) per litre of water can effectively target aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mites, mealybugs, and other common pests. However, a solution of 1 gram of Diafenthiuron 50% WP per litre controls whiteflies.

If nothing is available spray a solution of half a tablespoon of dish soap and a teaspoon of neem oil per litre of water for all insects.

Protection from hailstones

Hailstones can severely damage both blooms and foliage in seconds. To minimise the risk of damage to flowering plants from sudden hailstorms, it’s essential to have protective measures in place.

While unexpected hail can make protection difficult, accurate forecasts provide an opportunity to prepare and safeguard plants effectively.

For smaller collections, cover plants with lightweight cloth ensuring it is securely anchored to prevent wind displacement or shift the potted plants to a safer place.

For larger gardens, temporary structures like shade nets offer effective protection, shielding plants while maintaining airflow.

Foliage Care

Some of the foliage plants such as chamaedorea palm, croton, dieffenbachia, dracaena, philodendron, rhapis palm, schefflera, syngonium and some more prized for their decorative leaves, though exotic have very well adapted in this region and thrive in moderate temperatures.

Proper care is essential to preserve their vibrant appearance and health during winter.

• Place potted plants in south or west-facing areas to maximise sunlight and protection from cold drafts during shorter winter days

  Rotate pots regularly to ensure even growth and prevent legginess.

• Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again as the soil dries out more slowly.
• Increase humidity around the plants by misting them regularly.
• Stop fertilising during winter months as over-fertilisation can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to cold damage.
• Clean leaves once a week for better appearance and more sunlight falling on leaves.
• Remove only dead or damaged leaves but avoid heavy pruning.
• Inspect plants periodically for pests and fungal infections.

  The writer is President of the National Cactus & Succulent Society of India