The protection of small ornamental seedlings from the cold is done in various ways.
Firstly. We can move sensitive plants to sheltered places on the balcony.
For example, small fruit trees such as lemon, orange, mandarin in a pot, as well as for ornamental plants such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, dipladenia.
Secondly. We carry the most sensitive plants inside the house, such as succulents and cacti, benjamin fig, lyrata or robusta and sefflera.
The plants that we bring inside the house are placed in a bright place and away from heating bodies, such as radiators, air conditioning and fireplaces.
Thirdly. We cover the plants with antifreeze fabric-cloth "spider" or hoods.
The cloth covers the entire crown of the plant, keeping the temperature inside 3-4 degrees higher than the outside environment, while the plant can breathe. The cloth remains on the tree throughout the winter.
Available in two forms,
1) in rolls of various dimensions and
2) in the form of a hood which is the most practical for small seedlings.
Fourth. We stop using fertilizer.
Applying fertilizer in conjunction with high winter temperatures can create new vegetation. In a sharp drop in temperature, the new vegetation will be damaged and may cause the plant to die.
Fifth. Avoid pruning or removing flowers.
By pruning we remove the dead, diseased or damaged parts of the plants and help the growth of new vegetation. New growth can be damaged in adverse conditions such as cold temperatures, snow and hail. This will result in a significant delay in the growth of vegetation in the spring.
Sixth. We protect the root of the plant.
In potted plants we can use leaves or straw to cover the root. While in the plants that are planted in the ground we can use well digested manure.
