Off into the house with the frost-sensitive plants
Fall time. The last few days we #Beetschwestern have had morning frosts. But it's supposed to be 18 degrees again today and over 20 tomorrow - far too warm for October. The warmest since records began. Long live climate change. Nevertheless, the first plants that come from the tropics should move indoors so that they don't die from the morning cold.
Which plants need to overwinter indoors now?
All tropical plants that are not used to temperatures below 5 degrees in their native habitat should be brought indoors now. These include
- Ornamental lily (Agapanthus)
- Hibiscus
- Beautiful mallow
- Ornamental banana
- Palm species
- Bougainvillea
- Dipladenia
- large-flowered fuchsias from South America
- Periwinkle
- tropical ferns
- Angel's trumpet
- etc.
These can remain outside until November
Mediterranean plants, which are also used to cooler temperatures in winter in their native country, can stay outside for longer.
- Citrus plants
- Olive tree
- Oleander - in cooler regions
- Fig tree - if a non-hardy species
- Date palm
- Laurel
Where and how do the plants want to overwinter?
For many tropical plants, the winter quarters are best moderately warm and bright, but not directly next to the central heating, as this often leads to pest infestation. Mediterranean plants such as lemons prefer cooler and bright conditions - such as a light cellar or a light room with little heating. If it is too warm, they will shed their leaves.
The cooler the room, the darker it can be. Agapanthus, for example, can be placed in a very dark place when it is cool. Fuchsias can also cope well with this.
The plants can be cut back before overwintering. During the dormant phase, potted plants need less water than in the summer months, but should never dry out. The plants should not be placed too close together, away from heat sources and with good ventilation. This prevents pest infestation. This occurs more frequently in spring.
When transporting them into the house, you should check the pots (especially the underside of the pot and the saucer) for slugs - we have had slug tourism in the house from time to time, which is not too pleasant .... .
We had to repot some plants because they got too big for the pot over the summer, this is also best done before wintering. But please only use peat-free soil! Did you know that garden soil with peat has been banned in the UK?
