Outdoor Plants in Winter

Geraniums, coleus, impatiens, marigolds and begonias often reach their peak. As they become more beautiful and the threat of frost comes nearer, one is tempted to save these plants. We often ask, Can I save these plants for use indoors, and if so, how should it be done?" These plants can be saved, but the real question is, "Should they be saved ? The answer depends more on what conditions are available for growing them. Geraniums are sometimes used indoors, but to flower well, they require temperatures cooler than normal for many homes. Those plants that require shade outdoors, such as coleus, impatiens and begonias, require a bright window indoors, or they get leggy and flower poorly. The home gardener with a greenhouse will have no problems.

But indoors, where low humidity, high temperature and poor light are the conditions available, the plants may be disappointing. A large, bright, southern window usually produces the best indoor growth and flowering. Plants need to be located close to the window and watered well. Some garden flowers can be potted and used indoors until they collapse, while you have no intention of saving them for next summer. Some of these include French marigold, dwarf zinnia, nierembergia, vinca or browailia.

If you plan to move plants indoors, do not try to save extremely large plants. Either select small plants, or start small plants from cuttings. Large plants will probably need to be cut back soon after they are brought indoors and will require the rest of the winter to recover. Coleus, impatiens (sultana) and begonias are easy to root. Take cuttings about 3 to 4 inches in length. Although they can be rooted in water, this often leads to development of rots, and loss of the cuttings. Use a clean rooting material. Vermiculite or clean sand may be used alone.

A mix of half peat moss is also excellent. Most important, the material should be clean and not carry disease. If in doubt, heat materials in the oven to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the material is moist when heating, and use a covered container so it does not dry during pasteurization. Temperature in the center of the mix should reach at least 140 degrees F. for 30 minutes before it is removed from the oven. Geraniums may be rooted in these same materials. Because geraniums are subject to leaf diseases, the leaves are normally kept-dry during rooting, and a little wilting will not be harmful.

You will find that the other plants will root faster and better if they are placed beneath a plastic tent or other closed chamber that may be used to keep up humidity. Bright light with little direct sun is best during the rooting time. Check plants that are brought inside for presence of pests. Spider mites are one of the most damaging (and usually unseen) pests of impatiens. These pests seem to do little damage outdoors, but once brought inside where there is low humidity and there are no natural predators they multiply rapidly.

Leaves drop, flowers fail to open and finally the whole plant may die. If these symptoms appear, look for web mites, wash the plants thoroughly, and treat promptly with an insecticide such as malathion. If they are present, treatment at four-day intervals will be necessary for about three weeks.

Mac Perry's Florida Lawn and Garden Care by Mac Perry.