How does the plant Feihua Yu (Echeveria) survive the winter?
A plant knowledge tidbit: let me introduce you to the topic of Echeveria, specifically how it survives the winter. Let's find out together.
For those in regions without indoor heating during winter, caring for Echeveria requires special attention. After the onset of winter, Echeveria should not be watered at all, keeping the potting soil dry to encourage it to enter a dormant state. If the temperature does not drop below 2°C to 5°C, it can safely overwinter.
Because cacti are most resistant to cold during their dormant period, improper watering in winter can disrupt their dormancy, restore their physiological activity, and reduce their cold resistance, making them prone to frostbite and rot. If the room temperature is too low during the overwintering period, the plant can be covered with a plastic cover to keep warm. In extreme cases, the plant can be wrapped in cotton and straw and placed in a wooden box or cabinet for storage. Even if the temperature drops below 0°C, it can still safely overwinter.
Sometimes, in situations where there are many potted plants at home and limited space, after the soil in the pot becomes slightly dry in winter, the plant can be removed from the potting soil, the bare roots wrapped in cotton and straw, and placed in a box or cabinet for storage, which saves space and provides insulation. When the temperature rises to 10°C, the wrapping materials can be removed, the plant repotted, and placed in a dry indoor area to gradually adapt to sunlight. Spraying water in the afternoon will help the plant gradually recover growth. Although this may slightly affect the plant's growth the following year, it is still a good method for families with limited space and poor insulation facilities.
After surviving the severe winter, cacti also need to pay attention to the transition to outdoor conditions in spring. Spring weather can be unpredictable, alternating between warm and cold. Do not rush to move the plants outdoors too early, and avoid watering in early spring, or else all the hard work of winter care will be in vain. It is essential to wait until around the time of Guyu (Grain Rain) when the temperature is stable before moving the plants outdoors for normal maintenance.
The comprehensive methods for overwintering Echeveria shared above aim to act as a starting point to help solve your green plant problems.