Eight-character tips for protecting flowers and nursery stock from the cold in deep winter, and key points to remember when replenishing water for edible fungi

In the cold winter, for nursery stock moved from the south to the north, newly transplanted nursery stock, biennial flowers grown in open fields, and cold-intolerant perennial flowers, cold protection measures must be taken to avoid low-temperature damage. The author now introduces the summarized "eight-character tips" for cold protection to flower-growing enthusiasts for reference.

Suitability, (adapting to local conditions and matching trees to the site). According to local climatic conditions, plant trees and flowers with strong cold resistance.

Increase, (strengthening cultivation management to enhance the cold resistance of the nursery stock itself). Through measures such as reasonable irrigation of nursery stock and scientific fertilization (for example, applying less nitrogen fertilizer in autumn and controlling excessive vegetative growth of nursery stock), promote robust growth of the nursery stock and enhance its own cold resistance.

Watering, (watering before freezing and watering at green-up). Before the soil freezes, water thoroughly once. After the soil contains more moisture, the surface soil temperature in deep winter will not drop too low or too quickly, and in early spring the surface soil temperature will also rise slowly. Watering at green-up is generally done in early spring. Because the temperature difference between day and night in early spring is large, timely watering at green-up can relatively reduce the day-night temperature difference at the surface and prevent spring cold from damaging the plant roots.

Set up, (setting up windbreaks). For newly planted or introduced tree species, use plastic sheeting on the windward side or around the plants to make windbreaks for cold protection. Some varieties also need straw curtains added (such as big-leaf boxwood moved from the south to the north, etc.). Generally, after 1 to 2 years they can adapt.

Protect, (trunk protection). Common methods are trunk wrapping or whitewashing. Trunk wrapping is mostly done before winter begins. Wrap or cover the main trunk of newly planted trees or cold-intolerant varieties with straw rope or burlap pieces, at a height of about 1.5 to 2 m. Trunk whitewashing is generally done in autumn. Use limewater plus salt or lime-sulfur mixture to whitewash the trunk. The white color reflects sunlight and reduces the trunk's absorption of solar radiation, thereby reducing the day-night temperature difference of the trunk and preventing the bark from freezing. In addition, this method also has a certain effect on preventing insect pests.

Cover, (covering). It is mostly used for open-field flowers in nursery fields. Before frost, cover the ground with dry grass, straw mats, horse manure, etc. This method is both economical and effective, and is extremely commonly used. Plastic film and other materials can also be used as cover, but certain economic conditions are required.

Smoke, (fumigation method). It is often used for open-field flowers in nursery fields, generally carried out on clear nights, by lighting grass piles and using smoke to reduce soil heat loss. When the temperature is too low, the effect of this method is not obvious, and it also causes certain pollution to the environment, so this cold protection measure should be avoided as much as possible in places near urban areas.

Mound, (mounding soil for cold protection). For some herbaceous perennial flowers or flowering shrubs, after watering before freezing, mound soil 30 to 40 cm high around their roots and stems, and the soil mound should be patted firm. (Source: Rural Masses)