Garden & Greenhouse November 2017 | Page 30

must be diluted before use. Horticulturists should pay close attention to the manufacturer’s recommended dilution rates for the various uses of the product. In other words, the recommended concentration for cleaning the greenhouse material will differ from the concentration for a soil drench. Preparing the Plants for Overwintering Before bringing outside plants into the green- house for the winter, a gardener should take a few steps to make the transition smoother. Start with cleaning the plants themselves by removing any dead or dying leaves from the plant and soil container. Examine the plants closely for pest insects. Any pest insect issues should be treated before bringing those plants into the greenhouse. If possible, time your wa- tering so that the plants can receive a watering with the Physan 20 mixture right before entering the green- house for the winter. As previously mentioned, this will kill any fungi, algae, bacteria, or viruses that may be contained in the soil. Plant Placement Plant placement is another important factor to consider when overwintering. Some plants are more sensitive to cold than others. The plants that will bet- ter handle cold conditions should be placed along the perimeter of the greenhouse and those more sensitive to the cold should be place closer to the center. If the (Continued on page 34) 30 www.GardenandGreenhouse.net November 2017