Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Hoya kerrii - Sweetheart Valentine, Wax Hearts, Sweetheart Hoya, Valentine Hoya, Heart leaf

Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia integrifolia)

Mango Keitt (Mangifera indica)

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) fruit at the base of the tree

Lychee fruit on a tree, Litchi chinensis

Lychee tree in a pot with fruit, Litchi chinensis

Lychee tree with fruit, Litchi chinensis

Lychee fruit, Litchi chinensis

How to protect tropical plants in Winter

· Cut watering: Reduce watering to prevent root rot. Cold + wet = dead roots.
· Water before frost: Thirsty plants are more vulnerable. Water them before a cold night to prevent damage.
· Wind protection: Wind is more harmful than temperature drops. Plant near structures like houses or trees for shelter.
· Prepare for long cold periods: If cold weather lasts for hours, use all available protection, including Christmas lights and propane heaters.
· Don't use dry fertilizer in winter: Heavy fertilizing encourages tender growth, which is more susceptible to cold damage. Sunshine Boosters liquid fertilizers are safe to use year around as their intake is controlled by reduced watering.
· Use fabric covers, not plastic: Plastic can cook plants in the sun, while fabric allows better ventilation.

· Wrap plants: On cold nights, cover individual plants or trees with sheets or blankets to shield them from wind chill.
· Use Christmas lights: A simple string of lights can add extra warmth, protecting your plants during frosty nights.
· Use propane heaters: For added warmth in a larger area, place a propane heater near your plants. Make sure to follow safety guidelines and keep the heater at a safe distance from flammable materials. This can help maintain a few extra degrees of warmth, especially in more open garden spaces or temporary greenhouses. Always ensure proper ventilation to avoid harmful gas buildup.
· Affordable winter greenhouse: For large plant collections, you don't need an expensive greenhouse. A mobile carport with plastic or fabric covering, costing around $200, can house up to 100 plants!

· Cold duration: Tropical plants can survive brief cold spells but long durations, even above freezing, can be deadly.
· Wind-chill: Wind chill can be harsher than the temperature itself.
· Exposure: Southern-facing slopes hold heat longer, making them ideal for your plants.
· Humidity: Proximity to lakes or oceans can create a milder micro-climate.
· Gradual temperature Drops are safer. Plants adjust better to slow temperature changes than sudden cold blasts. Gradual cooling allows plants to prepare, reducing the risk of damage.

Strengthen Plant Hardiness:

· Health and maturity: Well-established, healthy plants are more cold-hardy.
· Boost plant immunity: Use products like SUNSHINE-Epi to improve cold resistance. Apply it before and during cold snaps to protect your plants.
· Healthy plant is hardy. Make sure to fertilize your plants on regular basis - healthier and stronger plants are more cold hardy

#How_to

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