TrendingVideosIndia
Opinions | CommentEditorialsThe MiddleLetters to the EditorReflections
UPSC | Exam ScheduleExam Mentor
State | Himachal PradeshPunjabJammu & KashmirHaryanaChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshRajasthanUttarakhandUttar Pradesh
City | ChandigarhAmritsarJalandharLudhianaDelhiPatialaBathindaShaharnama
World | ChinaUnited StatesPakistan
Diaspora
Features | The Tribune ScienceTime CapsuleSpectrumIn-DepthTravelFood
Business | My MoneyAutoZone
News Columns | Straight DriveCanada CallingLondon LetterKashmir AngleJammu JournalInside the CapitalHimachal CallingHill View
Don't Miss
Advertisement

Green house: Surviving the Freeze

Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium

Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only Benefits
Yearly Premium ₹999 ₹349/Year
Yearly Premium $49 $24.99/Year
Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Show comments
Advertisement