Does the leaf drop of茉莉花 in cold winter mean death? This is a puzzle faced by many gardening enthusiasts. As a typical subtropical plant,茉莉花 does enter a state of self-protection by shedding leaves in winter, but improper care may endanger its life. Mastering the correct judgment and revitalization methods can bring new life to what appears to be a withered plant.
Three leaf drop forms of茉莉花 in winter
Mild dormancy leaf drop
When the environmental temperature remains above 15℃, 茉莉花 will be in a evergreen dormant state. At this time, only the bottom old leaves naturally fall off, the branches are green and elastic, which is a normal physiological phenomenon.
Deep dormancy leaf drop
Temperatures between 3-15℃ trigger the leaf dormancy mechanism, with over 80% of the plant's leaves falling off but the green main branches retained. This is a typical protective response of 茉莉花 to low temperatures.
Frost injury leaf drop
When temperatures drop below 0℃, leaves will drop rapidly along with browning of the branches. It is necessary to check immediately whether the roots are still alive, as the main stem of the frozen plant will show symptoms of wrinkles and dehydration.
Four-step first aid for 茉莉花 leaf drop
Environmental regulation
Move the plant to a wind-protected environment with temperatures between 5-10℃, cover the branches with a transparent plastic bag to form a mini greenhouse, and maintain 70% air humidity. Avoid direct high-temperature baking.
Root diagnosis
Lightly scrape the epidermis at the base of the main stem with a small knife; if green tissue appears, it indicates survival. If it has turned brown, you can explore the condition of the main root further down, with healthy roots being milky white.
Pruning for revitalization
Retain 15-20cm of the main stem for heavy pruning around the time of Qingming the following year. Use a disinfected pair of scissors to make a 45-degree oblique cut and apply a healing agent to the cut to prevent infection.
Gradual care
Water using the "dry-wet alternating" method, watering thoroughly only after the potting soil is completely dry. Combine with monopotassium phosphate foliar fertilizer (at a ratio of 1:1000) to promote the germination of new buds.
Key points for protecting 茉莉花 from the cold in winter
Three preventive measures can effectively reduce leaf drop: 1) Apply decomposed sesame cake fertilizer before frost to enhance cold resistance; 2) Wrap the pot with straw; 3) Build a simple windbreak shed. With professional care, even a 茉莉花 that has completely shed its leaves can have a germination rate of over 92% the following year (data source: "Research on the Stress Physiology of Horticultural Plants").
There is no need to panic when winter leaf drop of 茉莉花 is observed. As long as the branches remain vigorous, scientific revitalization can restore its fragrance. The key is to grasp the principles of temperature control, moderate pruning, and gradual revival, allowing this southern beauty to safely survive the winter.