|
Frost Giving plants ‘a good
start’ in the Spring will help prepare them for frost in the winter.
Deep planting in a depression so that the top of the plant lies 4/5 inches below soil level then backfilling to the level of the pot will help insulate the roots in winter. Gradually fill the depression with soil or mulch as the plant grows. Do not prune in ground plants in winter but leave foliage to protect roots against frost/ prune in Spring. In severe frost prone areas reduce fertilising in mid Autumn so you have no ‘new growth’ to be frost bitten. Leave ‘dead sticks’ of fuchsias as is until plants reshoot in Spring. Mulch roots well with newspaper/ old carpet/cardboard then cover with soil or more mulch to protect roots. Fuchsias need less water in winter/ do not overwater. Check soil & roots under mulch to make sure they do not dry out. Watering all over the plant with a weak solution of Seasol or Phostogen on a regular basis will help thicken and strengthen leaves and stems against mild frosts. Cover the plants in the night with newspaper, black pots, or muslin or old lace curtains and uncover in the morning. If frosts come unexpectedly hose off plants before the sun hits them to prevent the leaves freezing. Do not prune frost bitten plants. Wet foliage at night as water forms icicles on top and may protect foliage against frost? ( not tried) Plants described as ‘hardy’ in English books will withstand frosts and cold outdoors there and in Australia. Plant miniature daffodils such as Tete a Tete and Jetfire around the base of your in ground fuchsias. As the daffodils grow they provide some protection from frost, provide a pretty display when the fuchsias are a bit sad and then their foliage continues to protect the roots for another six weeks after flowering. If you put your pots/ baskets in a shade house or garage over winter check to make sure they do not become too dry/ keep the potting mix just moist all the time. Frost Hardy Fuchsias: Beacon Rosa Display Dollar Princess Hot Coals Genii Graf Witte Phyllis Pixie Sharpitor Tom Thumb Tom West White Pixie Zulu King |