Even though your wedding day will undoubtedly be remembered for all the right reasons, it’s wonderful to give your guests a souvenir. Give them something that will brighten up their home instead of koozies and cookies, like a succulent wrapped in burlap.
How can I protect my succulent plants?
If you have a variety of succulents that can survive the winter outside, you might wish to do so. Your plump outdoor greens still require adequate care, though, otherwise the frost risked damaging them.
Not to mention that your plant’s roots could decay due to the winter’s damp soil. Additionally, if your region gets too much rain during the cold season, the succulents’ cells will swell. Additionally, the plant cell walls may rupture as a result of the frost. As a result, it is crucial to take precautions to safeguard your plant from all of these harmful situations.
Although some varieties of succulents can withstand below-freezing conditions, none of the species prefers frequent watering or excessive humidity throughout the year. Succulents prefer healthy soil that drains well, good airflow, and bright sunlight. Here are some precautions you should take to ensure your in-ground plants are taken care of over the winter.
Build a Greenhouse
The majority of succulents cannot withstand temperatures below 25 F during the winter nights. Bring your succulents into a DIY greenhouse if your area has the same winter temperatures, or if you have a gazebo, cover it with 5mm plastic and move your succulents there. Make sure to securely anchor the plastic, and tape the seams. You can even include a little heater if the temperature falls any lower.
Cover Your Succulents
Cover your outside succulent plants with bed sheets if your region occasionally suffers frost. Row covers and nonwoven fabrics, which are often constructed of spun nylon, are further options. Your plants will be protected when it is 2-4 degrees below freezing if you cover them with such blankets.
Additionally, don’t remove the dried leaves from your plants because they protect them from high temperatures. Move your plants that are sensitive to cold under a tree, deck, or eaves; this will prevent heat from escaping.
Winter succulent care
There are various reasons why succulents may suffer throughout the winter, but by heeding some essential tips, you may help your plants survive during these trying times.
Temperature
It’s critical to get your plants ready for winter when the air temperature is forecast to fall below 5 C and a ground frost is possible.
Due to the amount of water held in their leaves and stems, the more delicate succulents may be damaged by a light frost at this temperature, and anything below freezing has the potential to kill them. When water freezes, it expands and can rupture plant cell walls, harming or even killing your plants.
Succulents that are kept in the cold and are exposed to moisture may suffer greatly, but plants that are kept in the cold and are exposed to dry circumstances may have a better chance of surviving.
Fleece
For your plants to survive, especially when temperatures drop below freezing, horticultural fleece is a necessity. Horticultural fleece comes in a variety of categories, from light frost to heavy frost. We employ and market a strong horticultural fleece that was made specifically to provide protection down to -10. By covering your plants with horticultural fleece, you may assist retain the heat emitted from the earth, providing a safe atmosphere for your plants similar to that of a blanket. Utilizing the fleece has the additional benefit of helping to preserve your plants from decaying during this cold, rainy time of year by deflecting excess rain away from them.
By having an open weave, this horticultural fleece is made to still provide light and air movement to the plants.
You can help your plants get ready for the winter by doing certain necessary tasks. During the winter, a wide range of factors can harm succulents.
The best chance of survival will be provided for them, though, by good housekeeping. Remove any dead or dying leaves because they may decay and spread fungus and disease.
Moving your plants
In a greenhouse, porch, or conservatory, you can also transfer your plants indoors. In the event that this is not feasible, there may be dry areas near your residences, such as carports and lean-tos, roof overhangs, or even microclimates in front of glass doors and windows. In addition to being a warmer location, this will aid in keeping the rain off your plants during this rainier time of the year.
Succulents should be raised off the ground on ledges and shelves to avoid ground frost; this is especially important in unheated greenhouses. It is a great approach to winterize plants without using greenhouse energy to elevate and wrap them in fleece on benches.
If you can’t move your plants once they are in the garden, you may also safeguard your outdoor succulents by covering them with some horticultural fleece.
Top dressing
A top dress layer is a great technique to keep leaves and stems from rotting in pots or gardens. 20 to 30 mm of Cornish grit, gravel, or stones will be more than enough. During the winter, holding your plants off and above the soggy soil will assist to keep them dryer as more air can circulate around the plant. Additionally, top dressing can serve as a plant-light reflector.
It’s crucial to make sure your succulents receive as much light as possible over the winter, even if you decide to move them.
Feeding
Since you want your plants to cease growing and run out of food by autumn, feeding them over the winter is not advised. When there is less nourishment available, plants halt growing and develop stronger, more resilient plants that can survive the winter.
(Potentially) Transplant
Consider putting succulents in pots into the ground if there is still more than a month before the first frost. Plantings in the ground maintain superior insulation than those in containers. However, it is essential that your succulents are established and acclimated before the first frost. Simply shift pots to locations with morning light and protection from heavy rain if there isn’t enough time.
Remove Dried Leaves
Succulents in good health will typically lose their lower leaves as they grow new ones above. These leaves may become damp and decay in regions with cold, wet winters. Your succulents will not only look neater if you remove them in the fall, but they will also be more resistant to disease.
Protect from Water
Succulents that are hardy require less water during the winter. Additionally, they must be shielded from water that drips from trees and roofs. A robust succulent kept warm and dry runs the risk of decaying, but one that is protected by a layer of snow can survive the winter. Consider relocating your succulents under a roof or placing a clear rain cover at least 18.0″ above them if you experience cold, wet winters without snow.
Do I need to protect my succulents?
Before you even plant your succulent in your yard, this is the easiest way to find out if it will survive the winter in your region. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is referenced on the labels of the majority of plants that are sold in retailers. The label will indicate whether or not the plant will survive the winter depending on the zone you live in. The zones are separated by a difference of 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit in their lowest annual temperature. There is minimal likelihood that it will survive the winter in that area if your zone is lower than the recommended zone on the label.
Tip #2: Bring Them Indoors
Bring your succulent indoors during the winter even if it is in the right climate zone. Even though sudden temperature dips are uncommon, one chilly night is all it takes to harm your plants. They can be kept in your garage if the temperature there doesn’t fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t forget to give them three to four hours of indirect sunshine each day. Checking for insects like mealybugs and aphids is a crucial factor. Spray the leaves with a mixture of 1 part water and 3 parts rubbing alcohol to kill the bugs because you don’t want them inside your house.
Although it’s frequently overlooked, preparing your put for indoor play is crucial as well. Your succulents’ containers are probably a little muddy if they have been playing hard outside. To prevent them from spreading around your home when you transfer things inside, first clear the pot of any dead leaves and other debris. Second, clean off any extra dirt from your pot; you want a clean transition from the inside to the outside! Lastly, look for bugs. Creepy crawlies taking over your house is the last thing you need. You should be well on your way to your indoor succulents thriving after following those three steps.
Tip #3: Reduce Watering in the Late Fall
Winter is the period when succulents go dormant, so watering is even less necessary. So once the weather becomes colder and the days get shorter, stop watering them. Reduce it to once a month, but you should also check the soil’s moisture content first before watering. When the ground is entirely dry, only do it. It only takes a good five minutes to water. To prevent succulents from dying from moist roots, check that the soil has excellent drainage. Sand or organic matter with good drainage should be added to the soil for indoor plants. Mulch shouldn’t be used near the base of outside plants since it can trap moisture.
Before you fully stop watering your succulents, here’s a short tip: identify them! Winter is when most succulents go dormant, however some are winter growers. The plants that don’t go dormant will require more water than the others. Keep an eye on things at least to prevent your freshly indoor succulents from becoming overly dry. (Succulents will dry out more quickly than others if they are close to vents or heaters.
Tip #4: Sunlight
When putting your succulents indoors, sunlight is absolutely crucial! Making sure they receive adequate sunlight in the winter is challenging. To get the most indirect light, place your succulents close to your home’s brightest window. Try to provide succulents with at least 6 hours of sunshine each day for the healthiest results. They’ll begin to slant toward the window if you’re not providing them with adequate sunshine. Simply turn them the other way to straighten them out.
Tip #5: Cover Up Your Succulents
If you are unable to bring the plants inside due to impending cold weather, you can cover them with various forms of protection. Snow covers are beneficial because they provide protection from snow, frost, and strong winds. You can buy them from your neighborhood garden supply store or online. Bushel baskets can be used to cover and safeguard succulents if you have any lying about. Just be cautious not to leave them covered for an extended period of time. The plants require ample sunlight and clean airflow.
These straightforward suggestions can help you keep your succulents happy and healthy throughout the winter. Give your friends and neighbors the information so they can preserve their succulent plants as well!
Should succulents be top dressed?
If you want to improve your succulent designs, think about incorporating crushed-rock top dressing. Your succulent compositions, whether planted in the ground or in pots, will appear and function better if no bare soil is visible. Top dressing gives a polished appearance and helps plants by evenly distributing water.
In an open garden, soil that receives direct sunshine is more likely to encourage weed development. Those few weeds that do sprout will be simpler to remove if a thick covering of crushed rock is used. Instead of shredded bark, I like to use an inorganic top dressing, such as crushed gravel or pebbles.
Bark mulch may harbor molds, insects, and snails if it is extremely water-retentive. Although it could appear attractive at first, as it deteriorates it turns silver, appears uneven, and leaves bare areas. See Mistakes Beginners Make for examples.
Gravel also lessens the effects of rain, which helps to stop erosion. Additionally, rock encourages root growth by retaining soil moisture, which boosts plant vitality—especially crucial during dry conditions. The amount of heat that gravel absorbs from the sun’s rays increases with its color. Kelly Griffin, an expert on aloe and agave, top-dresses his coastal garden, which is shown in my book Designing with Succulents (2nd ed. ), with black crushed rock because warm soil encourages quick root growth, which is what he intended and as seen by his garden. However, a desert garden wouldn’t be a good place for such chocolate-brown gravel.
In terms of aesthetics, top dressing is to a potted succulent what a mat is to a painting, as I recently reminded my audience at the Succulent Extravaganza. The plant serves as the artwork, the pot serves as the frame, and the mat fills in the gaps and improves the overall presentation. I also spoke about ostentatious garnishes like crushed glass.
The Cactus and Succulent Society of America views top dressings as supporting cast members rather than the main attraction. They improve their collectible, container-grown succulents by coordinating the pot, the plant, and the top dressing. They may occasionally add a few carefully chosen rocks to mimic how the plant may seem in its natural habitat. This strategy is known as “staging,” which is a distinct art form. Judges in competitive events hold plants’ staging to a high standard.
How do you use burlap to encase a potted plant?
A straightforward piece of burlap can be wrapped around a pot with some string if you like the rustic look (and maybe a little bit of hot glue). Simply center the pot in the burlap square, fold all the cloth upward so that it covers the edges of the pot and is smooth and pleated rather than lumpy and uneven, and secure it with a piece of twine.
Don’t bother about tucking in any of the burlap’s raw edges at the top; they only enhance its rustic appearance! To keep the folds in place, add a few spots of hot glue. After that, tie a bow in a length of strong twine to hold the folds together. Add a few fresh evergreen sprigs for a touch of extra festive charm.