We’ll have a blast of winter on Friday. Do this with the flowers on the balcony and they will survive until spring

Before we start protecting our flowers, it is worth knowing which of them are suitable for wintering. Not all species are multi-seasonal. If we have geraniums, begonias, oleanders, fuchsias, passionflowers or dipladenias, we can successfully overwinter them. How to go about it?

Flowers without tenants

The basic rule for wintering balcony flowers, as well as other plants, is the issue of their health. Only healthy, pest-free specimens are suitable for this purpose. If we secure those with tenants, they can quickly move to other pots. In order for the plants to survive the winter well, they should be removed from the withered and dry leaves and flowers. As a rule, we shorten the shoots to 2/3 of their length. However, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the guidelines for specific species, as some require special treatment.

The best conditions for wintering plants are a bright and cool place, but not exposed to frost. The optimal temperature is 4-8 degrees Celsius. To ensure this, it is worth thinking about a garage or basement with access to light, an unheated staircase or a room that we do not heat as much as others.

In winter, forget about fertilizer

During winter, we water balcony plants occasionally, 1-3 times a month. We should not allow them to dry out, but excessive watering will be even worse. What about fertilization? During the cold months, we stop completely. This is because in winter the flowers go dormant – they grow only to a small extent. It is normal for them to lose leaves and become brittle and brittle. If we provide them with the right conditions, they will sprout new leaves in spring and begin to grow. Around March, it is worth moving them to a slightly warmer place to start the vegetation process. We usually put them outside in the second half of May or when there is no longer any risk of frost.