Plants expect
their accommodations
to be permanent,
and moving them
around can be a
shock that requires
some adjustment. ”
AIR CIRCULATION - While planning your light and
temperature control strategy, don’t forget plants need
good airflow. Good air circulation helps plants with
photosynthesis, reduces the amount of dust on leaves,
and discourages pests. It can also reduce problems with
mold and mildew. If you rely heavily on grow lights, good
air flow also helps reduce potential heat problems. Invest
in a fan, ideally an oscillating fan, for each large group
of plants you maintain. If you have a few small plant
groupings near a window, a couple of solar-powered fans
can be useful and convenient additions.
The Great Migration
The process of bringing plants indoors in fall mirrors the
process of adapting seedlings to the outdoors in spring.
Plants expect their accommodations to be permanent, and
moving them around can be a shock that requires some
adjustment. Once you’ve identified and treated the plants
you want to relocate, start getting them used to lower light
conditions by moving them to a shadier garden location a
week to 10 days before the move. This might be under an
awning, a tree, or near the shady side of a fence or wall.
If you only have a few plants to deal with and they aren’t
large, consider leaving them outdoors during the day and
bringing them indoors at night for a few days before you
place them in a permanent location inside. These gradual
changes will lessen the stress of the move.
If a plant is too unwieldy, large, or messy to move indoors,
this is a good time to take cuttings. Water plants thoroughly
before moving day, and save your back by spreading the
project over a couple of afternoons. It also helps to put a
plastic tarp down to catch any drips or loose grit. If it will fit
through the door, use your trusty wheelbarrow or utility cart
to move smaller plants en masse. Oh, and if you have a large,
heavy pot to deal with, and stairs aren’t an issue, consider
investing in a rolling stand for it.
Too Big to Move—Sheltering in Place
Move potted plants you plan to leave outdoors to a protected
location and sink their pots into the soil. Finish off with a
three-inch layer of mulch. Soil is a great insulator that will
protect plant roots where a completely exposed pot will freeze,
killing the roots inside.
Even if a plant is a digit outside its preferred plant hardiness
zone, this strategy may be worth the risk, especially if space is
tight indoors. With any luck, the plant will survive the winter
and be waiting to welcome you back to the garden come spring.
Every plant you save now will be one less specimen to replace
next year, so think of the move as a mission of mercy and a
cost-saving project all rolled into one. Once you get good at
bringing plants indoors in fall, you’ll probably be more tempted
to cultivate varieties outside your comfort zone, and outside
your plant hardiness zone, too. Ah, gardening… so many
plants, so little time!
grow cycle
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