I try to move plants I want to overwinter indoors gradually. I give each plant a bath and serious soaking.
This usually evicts any insects or spiders living in the plants. Although, I have found stowaways in the past. When the first frost threatens, it's a plant stampede to the family room. Below are photos of this year's migration.
September 6, 2010
1 Jacob's coat
2 amaryllis
September 21, 2010
1 mother-in-law's tongue
September 24, 2010
2 cacti
September 25, 2010
4 geraniums
September 26, 2010
1 aloe vera
1 geranium
1 asparagus fern
September 30, 2010
2 geraniums
While you see clay saucers under the containers in the above photos, I've acquired plastic saucers for each container. Clay saucers seep moisture creating a breeding ground for mold. The clay saucers are being reserved for the house plants in the living room where I use cork coasters to protect furniture and flooring.
October 5, 2010
1 geranium
6 impatien cuttings
1 ice plant
October 9, 2010
8 sweet potato vine cuttings
1 asparagus fern
2 Jacob's coats
2 geraniums
I also gave 1 asparagus fern to my mom and a geranium to a neighbor. What's left outside will go when the weather decides it is time. Wish me luck keeping all these going through the winter. Dry indoor air and low light is a challenge. Ken Druse Real Dirt recommends running a fan to keep air circlating through the plants so insects and disease don't take over. I'm going to try that this year.
This post is property of http://gardenonsherlockstreet.blogspot.com/
Oh I so wish you luck! I am not very good with over wintering plants inside.
ReplyDeleteThat is a big migration! Love the series of shots. You have a great spot for them all too.
ReplyDeleteI just have a few remaining plants outdoors to come in this week. I also haven't taken any cuttings, which I intend to do this week too. I had hoped to do that yesterday and get the greenhouse ready--but we found a huge den of biting ants in the greenhouse--so had to put it off till another day!! Its nice to take everything outdoors, but it also looks great to have them all back in again! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThey look nice inside, too. You have a good spot for them.
ReplyDeleteGreat info on bringing them in. I consider us fortunate we can have many of our houseplants outdoors for summer. Love your shelves.
ReplyDeletewow that space is fairly filling up in your family room. I like the way you are going to display your plants aswell in the room.
ReplyDeleteThat is something we all should do if we have small pots. It is work and takes time. I usually just drag mine into the garage. So far, they have made it through several winters.
ReplyDelete~Darla
ReplyDeleteThanks.
~tina
It was fun watching the plant positions change as I moved them in.
~Melanie
Ants in the greenhouse can't be good.
I enjoy the transition of the plants too. All the seasons have their good qualities. I think a cozy home with plants is nice.
~Amy
Thanks.
~Dee
Thanks. My FIL made the shelves for me.
~leavesnbloom
They do take some space but I'm glad to share.
~LV
My garage has no windows and doesn't stay above freezing when we hit those single digits so in the house they must come.
Every fall, I say I'm going to be organized like you, and bring a few plants in at a time, but then, end up caught by cold weather, and have to make multiple trips. We did get the most tender ones in a week or so ago. Maybe this will be the fall I am more organized.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine just got some cuttings from one of my sweet potato vines. I've never done that before. Maybe I'll try that, too.
~Sue
ReplyDeleteI've had years where everything is yanked in at once because of a cold front. I didn't like it. This fall has been nice for a slow migration.
I have mixed results with sweet potato vine cuttings. So far, so good this year but some years they all die.