|
Over Wintering Tropical Plants
 Tropical plants are unmatched in beauty with their vibrant blooms and lavish leaves. They are an investment well worth protecting during Wisconsin’s harsh winter months. Tropical plants may not be native to this region, but they can be successfully cared for indoors and returned to your yard the following summer. Tropical plants can be wintered over in three different ways. They can be cared for as houseplants, stored as dormant plants, or their bulbs, corms and tubers–known as underground structures-can be harvested and stored.
 Many popular tropical plant varieties such as bougainvillea, jasmine and mandevilla, can spend the winter months inside as houseplants provided they have enough light and humidity. Place the plants in a sunny, south-facing area of your home. If necessary, you can supplement natural sunlight with growing lights. As for humidity, kitchens and bathrooms are ideal because humidity levels are typically higher in these rooms compared to the rest of your home. You can also increase humidity with a humidifier or by placing your plants on a shallow, pebble filled tray of water.
If you do not have the proper conditions or space in your home, consider storing your tropical plants as dormant plants. Simply withhold water and store the plants in a cool, dark area of your home such as your garage, basement or unheated porch where temperatures do not drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Herbaceous tropical plants, such as alstromeria and heliotrope, should remain outside until the frost withers their tops. Then cut back the withered tops and bring the plants inside. Herbaceous container plants can be stored as-is. Planted herbaceous plants should be dug up at the root ball and placed in size-appropriate containers in soil-less mix.
Woody tropical plants, such as brugmansia and tibouchina, should be brought inside just before the first frost making sure not to prune them. Similar to herbaceous tropical plants, woody container plants can be stored as-is, and planted woody plants should be dug up and placed in size-appropriate containers in soil-less mix.
Both herbaceous and woody tropical plants should be kept dry, but not parched. Check for moisture every two to four weeks, adding small amounts of water as needed. Prior to bringing them back outside in the summer, acclimate them to the outdoors by moving them to a warm spot in your home and gradually reintroducing them to sunlight. Once they are back outside, prune, fertilize and water them.
A third approach to wintering over tropical plants is to store their underground structures. Tropical plants with underground structures, such as elephant ear, caladium, begonia, canna lily, or dahlia, typically rest during cooler temperatures. Following the first frost, any remaining above-ground growth will turn black or brown. Once this happens, dig up the underground structure with a garden fork or spade, and remove any dead areas. Allow the structures to dry and remove as much soil from them as possible. Store the structures in peat moss keeping them just barely moist. Place the structures in a dark area of your home such as a basement or garage where the temperature remains between 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit in order to prevent growth. Check the structures monthly and remove any decaying or rotted areas. In the spring, pot and water the structures and place in a sunny, warm area inside your home to acclimate them prior to planting them outside in the summer.
 With proper care, your tropical plants will survive the winter months and be ready to once again brighten your outdoor landscape next summer. Visit our garden center and let our experts help you develop a care plan that is right for your tropical plants.
Source: Overwintering Tropical Plants in the North, Amy Kolden, Monrovia Growers
|
