This article is a guide to the causes of winter potted plant deaths and strategies for their care:
With the arrival of winter, many families place potted plants indoors to add vitality and活力 to their homes. However, many enthusiasts find that their potted plants collapse one after another during winter, which is quite heartbreaking. Why do the potted plants at home die in winter? And how can we prevent this situation? This article will uncover the mysteries of why potted plants die in winter and provide practical care tips.
Causes of Winter Potted Plant Deaths
1. Low temperature injury: The sudden drop in winter temperatures makes it impossible for potted plants to adapt to the low-temperature environment, resulting in plant cell damage and subsequent death.
2. Improper water management: The air in winter is dry, and potted plants require less water, but many enthusiasts still water them at the summer watering frequency, leading to root rot in the plants.
3. Insufficient lighting: The duration of daylight shortens, and the intensity of sunlight weakens in winter, preventing potted plants from performing adequate photosynthesis, which affects their growth.
4. Inadequate nutrient supply: The activity of microorganisms in the soil weakens in winter, reducing the supply of nutrients, which leads to slow growth or even death of potted plants.
Winter Potted Plant Care Strategies
1. Control watering: The water requirement of potted plants in winter decreases, and the watering frequency should be reduced accordingly. Generally, watering once every 7-10 days is sufficient to keep the soil slightly moist.
2. Increase room temperature: The indoor temperature in winter should be maintained between 15-20°C to prevent potted plants from suffering low-temperature injury.
3. Increase lighting: In winter, when lighting is insufficient, it is advisable to adjust the placement of potted plants to allow them to receive more scattered light.
4. Fertilization: Since potted plants grow slowly in winter, the amount of fertilizer should be reduced. A low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer can be applied every 20 days.
5. Pruning: It is appropriate to prune potted plants in winter, removing withered and yellow leaves and sickly branches, which is beneficial for plant growth.
6. Prevent diseases and pests: Winter is a peak season for diseases and pests. It is necessary to check potted plants in time and deal with any diseases or pests found.
It is essential to pay special attention to these points when caring for potted plants in winter to ensure they can safely survive the cold season. Different varieties of potted plants may have different care requirements, which need to be adjusted according to specific circumstances. It is hoped that this article can help you solve the problem of potted plant deaths in winter, allowing your plants to thrive even during the cold season.
References:
Chinese Flower News: "Winter Potted Plant Care Tips", December 5, 2019.
Chinese Agricultural Science and Technology Herald: "Research on the Control of Diseases and Pests in Winter Potted Plants", Issue 2, 2020.