Autumn is a transitional period when plants and flowers have time to peel back from the heat and aggressive sun rays and prepare for the other extreme — winter, darkness and dry air. Plants go into a dormant state before winter, when they won't grow much or bloom. Take into account their life stage and provide the best possible conditions for plants in pots and in the garden. The least change in the season will be noted by unpretentious indoor plants and conifers.
So what generally applies to preparing flowers for winter sleep?
The transition to the winter period manifests itself even at home. Through the windows, less light penetrates into the rooms, heating is turned on, and the air thus seems much drier than during the summer. It is necessary for plants indulge in a smooth transition from summer extremes to those of winter, will appreciate when you move them to more convenient places in the apartment. These can be window sills and all areas where natural light enters from the outside. And this also applies to shade-loving plants - move other decorations into the shade that do not depend on the supply of light. The sun is no longer as strong and is more bearable for houseplants than complete darkness in the corners behind the curtains. But pay attention to the proximity of the heater and the open windows when ventilating. Both can have fatal consequences for plants.
Transplanting and fertilizing houseplants is also counterproductive. Give them as much peace as possible and constant conditions that allow them to deal with the changes in their own way. Due to heating, the air also dries out, and therefore it is necessary to regularly dew of the leaves of plants and wipe the dust from them. Take your greens under a shower before winter, which will refresh them and help the leaves absorb moisture as best as possible.
Plants perceive the year differently than we humans do. There are only two seasons for them: active and passive. And the passive one is winter, which in the world of greenery lasts from September to March. And this must be taken into account in caring for garden. With the arrival of autumn temperatures begin to fluctuate, and most of the time there is a threat of ground frosts, that you need to watch out for. The soil gradually cools down, and there is less and less sun. Nevertheless, there are plants that are best able to take root at the beginning of the plant winter, that is, in September and October — new trees and shrubs, as well as thermophilic peach and apricot trees, are planted mainly during this period.
But the rest of the plants and flowers are rather tormented. It tries to cope with changes in conditions, when dry days and frequent precipitation alternate, and with it comes the lack of water with overwatering. On the plants you can observe loss of variegated colors, flowers blooming and all growth stopping. You have to take care only of the watering, and only when it does not rain. And when the frosts begin, cover less resistant plants with non-woven fabric and conifer branches, or some exotic pieces that would otherwise die, move them to a large pot for a few months and put them in the garage or cellar.
Do not forget about the balcony either, because even there the winter will climb. Tuberous begonias, which decorate balconies most often, are very delicate for the winter. Once their tubers freeze, you can say goodbye to them for good. The solution is wintering tubers, stripped of stems, hide them in peat, without access to light and at temperatures around 5 °C they will last there until spring. Prune geraniums in the winter have to be move home, they will appreciate a well-lit area with temperatures of around 10° C. And if you have other perennials and trees on the balcony that survive even in cold weather, it is still needed to make the stay in the coming frost as comfortable as possible.
Plants in pots, move them to an insulating pad (polystyrene, possibly wood, bark and anything alike) to protect the roots from freezing, and cover the soil with conifer branches or burlap that will protect it from snow and frost. Since it blows more in autumn and winter, place the plants in the leeward, let them be safe and not to get damaged. Even water the balcony greenery less than in summer and do not fertilize it.
