Five Key Points and Four Taboos for Winter Flower Care to Help Plants Overwinter Safely

Because winter temperatures are low and humidity is low, rooms with heating are extremely dry, and rooms without heating are very cold and damp, which is very unfavorable for the growth of flowers and plants. Below is an introduction to the five key points and four taboos for winter flower care.

Five key points for winter flower care:

1. Pay attention to freeze protection and insulation

Nowadays, residents' housing conditions have improved. Enclosed balconies are very beneficial for potted flowers to overwinter. If there is no enclosed balcony, potted flowers should be brought indoors at night. For some potted flowers that are especially afraid of cold, such as tropical orchids, bromeliads, poinsettias, and anthuriums, the nighttime room temperature should preferably not be lower than 10°C.

2. Be careful not to water too much

In winter, the amount of water evaporation is small. In addition, flowers and plants stop growing under low-temperature conditions, and especially the vitality of the root system declines. Too much water makes root respiration difficult and can easily cause root disease, or even root rot and death.

3. Be careful not to apply too much nitrogen fertilizer

In winter, the absorption capacity of flowers is not strong. Applying too much nitrogen fertilizer will increase the electrical conductivity in the potting soil and damage the roots. At the same time, applying more nitrogen fertilizer makes the branches and leaves tender and reduces cold resistance and disease resistance, which is not conducive to overwintering.

4. Pay attention to getting more sunlight

In winter, the light intensity is not high, but flowers need more light to facilitate photosynthesis and produce organic nutrients that improve the plant's resistance. For some flowers that bloom in winter, it also helps the branches and leaves become lush and the flowers bloom larger and more beautiful.

5. Pay attention to disease prevention and pest control

Diseases that easily occur in winter are all fungal diseases, such as gray mold, root rot, and phytophthora blight. The causes are none other than low temperature, high humidity, and reduced plant resistance. Therefore, the key is to reduce humidity, make the plants grow robustly, and improve resistance, with chemical control as a supplement. Pests are mainly scale insects and aphids.

Four taboos for winter flower care:

1. Avoid indoor temperatures that are too high

Many flowers and plants enter dormancy and semi-dormancy in winter and need quiet care and full rest. Whether in a room or on a balcony, the temperature should be controlled between 4-8°C (for flowers that need dormancy), and preferably not exceed 10°C. Once the temperature is high, flowers will have physiological activity and may even sprout, wasting the stored energy, which is extremely unfavorable for the next year's growth. This type of flowers and plants includes: Milan, gardenia, jasmine, orange, plum blossom, fig, pomegranate, grape, hawthorn, papaya, Malus spectabilis, apricot, peach, apple, honeysuckle, winter jasmine, Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium faberi, etc.

2. Avoid excessive fertilizer and water

When flowers and plants reach the dormant period, all physiological activities basically stop, and they need very little fertilizer and water, only enough to maintain life. All flowers that go dormant in winter do not need fertilization in winter. Fertilizing not only causes waste, but also damages the root system of flowers and plants.

3. Avoid dry air

The environment in the north is already very dry, and when the relative air humidity is too low, it will affect the growth of flowers and plants. Flowers and plants that require relative air humidity of no less than 80% include: camellia, azalea, anthurium, orchid, spider plant, asparagus fern, Acorus gramineus, saxifrage, etc.; flowers and plants that require relative air humidity of 60% include: Michelia alba, hibiscus, fuchsia, cyclamen, jasmine, rubber tree, Monstera deliciosa, Milan, Michelia figo, Pittosporum tobira, cacti, etc. When humidity is insufficient, spraying water can be used to solve the problem.

4. Avoid lack of sunlight

Place flowers and plants in a place with good light, or put them in the sun for a period of time every day. It is best to ensure at least more than 3 hours of light per day so that the flowers can grow vigorously the next year. Even woody flowers that shed their leaves in winter and have no leaves should still be exposed to sunlight. Leaving them in a dark place for a long time is absolutely not advisable.