Frozen plants, what to do? The cold and frost came suddenly and you didn't protect your plants in time? You can still intervene to cure and save them. The enterprise will be easier if a sunny day comes after the frost.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himFrozen plants, what to do? The cold and frost came suddenly and you didn't protect your plants in time? You can still intervene to cure and save them. The undertaking will be simpler if after the frost there will be a sunny day.
We had already talked about how to protect the vegetable garden and plants in winter. Some plants abandon us during the cold season, while others manage to survive by simply hibernating, but some precautions are needed.
To protect the garden we recommend special fabric sheets which can be found in garden stores and which are also useful for outdoor plants and for potted plants to shelter from frost.
If you want to protect them from the cold potted plants that you usually keep on the balcony, move them to the most sheltered corner of your terrace by placing them next to each other. Those with a basement can bring some potted plants inside but it must be a bright place. Those who live in colder regions, for example, should shelter the most delicate potted plants and citrus plants, such as lemons, indoors during the winter.
Read also: FROST: 7 WAYS TO PROTECT THE PLANTS ON THE BALCONY
What happen when the plants are suddenly in the cold and frost? Some plants can suffer a lot from the sudden change in temperature. The cold 'burns' the plants, ruins the leaves and strains the roots. When it is very cold the water in the saucers can become ice and this creates many difficulties for the plants.
Read also: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARDEN IN WINTER
Here are some helpful tips.
1) If the plant left in the cold and frost is a flowering plant, for example a Christmas Star, try to revive its fate by bringing the pot into the house and eliminating the damaged parts. If the roots and stems are alive your suffering plants could reforer. Do not abandon them and continue to care for and water them.
Read also: CHRISTMAS STAR, HOW TO EXTEND ITS LIFE
Photo source: Blackstar Alessandra
2) Plants that have suffered from the cold could be left without nourishment. After eliminating the very damaged parts, think about fertilizing them. Use homemade compost or a suitable fertilizer for the type of plant to be treated.
Read also: 10 PLANTS THAT BLOOM IN WINTER
3) It seems obvious but don't forget to move the plants to a more sheltered place and if you can't do it, cover them with non-woven sheets that will help them resist the cold.
4) Water the plants only if the soil is not moist. If it is, wait for it to be drier. Take the plants to a sheltered place and empty the saucers because the remaining water residues could turn into ice due to the cold.
5) If the plant to be saved is aaloe vera pay attention to the state of the leaves. If the leaves have become mushy due to humidity and cold, bring the plant indoors and don't water it for a while. You can decide to eliminate the rotten parts but do not touch the parts of the plant that are fine.
Photo source: Weeds and Surroundings
6) Do you have one cyclamen plant left out in the cold and now seems almost dead? Maybe you can still save her. Bring the plant indoors under a mild temperature and water it a little every day, removing stagnation from the saucers.
Read also: CYCLAMEN: HOW TO GROW IT IN A POT OR IN THE GARDEN
Photo source: Rita Pastorelli
7) In less serious cases you will be able to save cold-damaged plants. In winter it would be better not to prune plants that are outdoors, because by removing leaves and branches you would deprive them of part of their protection. Prune only the plants that you will be taking shelter inside.
8) If you notice that your plants have some parts still alive, take good care of it. Bring potted plants to shelter, remove dry leaves and twigs. These plants will be able to grow back thanks to a milder temperature.
9) If cold nights and sunny days alternate, protect potted plants with antifreeze sheets only overnight and remove them during the day so that the plants can enjoy the benefits of the sun's rays.
10) When you move a frozen plant indoors water it immediately because it needs to be rehydrated. Remove dead leaves and dry twigs. Keep the plants in a place with mild temperatures but absolutely away from heating.
Marta Albè
