Causes of Wilting in Indoor Plants in Winter and How to Fix Them
In winter, many indoor plants show wilting to varying degrees, and this is mainly caused by a number of factors. Below, we break down these causes one by one and offer the corresponding rescue methods.
Causes of drought wilt: the winter environment is dry, and if the plant goes without water for a long time, it will wilt from the top downward, the stem cortex will shrivel, and in severe cases the whole plant will die.
Rescue method: promptly mist the leaves and surrounding environment of the drought-stressed plant to maintain fairly high ambient humidity. When watering, choose early morning or late afternoon, and avoid using large amounts of cold water on the soil in a high-temperature environment. The amount of water should be moderate, and never excessive.
Causes of water wilt: overwatering makes the soil water content too high, the plant roots' respiration is blocked, and the transport of water and minerals lacks driving force; the branches and leaves receive no water supply from the roots, which leads to wilting and even death.
Rescue method: move the plant to a shaded place and prune away some young twigs and leaves to reduce water evaporation. At the same time, remove one third of the potting soil and repot with fresh soil. Mist the leaves every day, and apply a dilute liquid foliar fertilizer about once every 3 days; after about 2 weeks the affected plant can basically recover.
Causes of fertilizer wilt: when the soil fertilizer concentration is too high, water from the plant flows back into the soil, causing the flowers and trees to wilt and even die; this phenomenon is commonly known as root burn.
Rescue method: for affected flowers and trees planted in the ground, apply a large amount of water to dilute the fertilizer concentration in the soil and drain it away promptly. For potted flowers and trees, remove the surface soil in the pot, water heavily so that excess fertilizer flows out of the bottom of the pot with the water, then put a layer of plain soil on the pot surface. At the same time, take measures such as shading and misting the leaves for the affected flowers and trees; they can return to normal in about 10 to 20 days.
Causes of pest wilt: improper plant care easily leads to pest problems, and when pests are severe they destroy the conducting tissue of the main trunk or main branches of the flowers, causing the plant to wilt or die.
Rescue method: wilting caused by pests is hard to reverse; for valuable flowers and trees, cut off the branches and use them for cuttings or grafting. At the same time, promptly treat the pests by spraying chemicals or pruning diseased branches.
Causes of wind wilt: when flowers and trees produce new shoots, especially when spring shoots grow profusely, strong sunlight and strong wind (especially dry wind) often cause them to wilt.
Rescue method: use shading, wind protection and leaf misting to prevent the new shoots from losing water and wilting.
Causes of heat wilt: this generally occurs in summer, but if a plant is kept in an air-conditioned room for a long time, it can also cause the plant to wilt.
Rescue method: avoid keeping the plant in an air-conditioned room for long periods, adjust the indoor temperature appropriately, and maintain a certain level of humidity.
Causes of cold wilt: winter temperatures fluctuate greatly, and if the plant is placed outdoors or in a shaded spot, it will develop cold wilt.
Rescue method: cold wilt is generally not a big problem, and the plant will gradually recover after the temperature rises at noon. Still, do not leave it in a cold environment for long periods; keep it warm, and you can place the plant in a warm indoor environment, away from radiators or air-conditioner vents.
Growing flowers in winter is a bit troublesome, but as long as we care for them attentively, understand the growth habits of the plants, and take the corresponding care measures, we can keep our plants thriving in winter too.