Winter potted flower management points
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In the early stages of winter, it's a crucial time for potted flowers to store nutrients and develop flower buds. Proper care during this period plays a vital role in how well the plants can survive the cold and bloom in the following season. Here are some essential tasks to focus on:
**Cold Protection**
Different types of flowers have different temperature requirements. For example, dormant plants like roses, pomegranates, and lotus should be moved indoors when temperatures drop to between 3°C and 5°C. Winter-dormant plants such as sweet osmanthus, gardenia, and camellia should be kept in a cold greenhouse with temperatures above 5°C. Meanwhile, plants that continue growing, like begonias and carnations, should be placed in a greenhouse where the temperature stays between 8°C and 10°C to ensure they survive the winter safely.
**Fertilization**
It’s important to apply fertilizer at the right time. After fertilizing, make sure to water the soil thoroughly. You can also use foliar sprays to supplement nutrients. Common topdressing fertilizers include 0.5% urea, 1% superphosphate, and 0.3% potassium sulfate. These help strengthen the plant and support healthy growth.
**Pest and Disease Control**
Although pest activity decreases in early winter, it's still important to monitor and manage potential issues. Common problems include leaf spot, aphids, red spider mites, and leaf miners. To treat these, you can use a mixture of 50% carbendazim diluted 800 times with 40% dimethoate diluted 1500 times, or a combination of 50% wettable powder and 40% phosphorothioate solution diluted appropriately. Regular inspections and timely treatment are key to keeping your plants healthy.
**Pruning**
During the winter dormancy period, it's ideal to prune plants like roses, hibiscus, poinsettias, and kumquats to encourage more shoots, blooms, and fruits. Remove any crowded, overlapping, or diseased branches. For ornamental shrubs like redwood, make heavy cuts near the main stems to promote new growth and maintain a neat shape.
**Soil Aeration**
Poorly aerated soil can restrict root respiration and lead to poor growth or even plant death. Make sure to loosen the soil regularly to keep the potting mix loose and well-draining. This helps maintain good root health and supports overall plant vitality.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve the survival rate and flowering performance of your potted flowers during the winter months.