As fall approaches and nighttime temperatures reach about 50°F (10°C), start bringing the plants inside for the winter. Most tropical plants will suffer damage at temperatures below 40°F (4°C), a few even below 50°F.
WHEN TO BRING PLANTS INSIDE. As a general rule, tender plants should be brought in when nighttime temperatures are below 50 to 55 degrees F, even if they are hardy for your zone. A plant's roots are more exposed when planted in a container versus in the ground.
The general rule of thumb is that most plants freeze when temperatures remain at 28°F for five hours. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Seedlings, with their tender new leaves, often give up the ghost when temperatures dip to 32-33°F. Tropical plants have differing low-temperature thresholds.
Each plant has a different threshold when it comes to dealing with the cold. Some plants can survive outside even when temperatures hit freezing. Others need to be brought indoors when temperatures reach the mid-40s. Be sure you know this before you plant.
If you find bugs on your outdoor plants, all is not lost! Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recommends soaking plants in a tub of soapy water before you bring them in. The soap and water get into the soil and can help kill any bugs hiding in there.
Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 quart (32oz) of water. Pour the solution in the spray bottle or straight rubbing alcohol for thicker, hardier leaves. Step 3: Spray the whole plant, not only where mealybugs are visible.
Treatment: Spray plants with soapy water. A good ratio is 1 tablespoon of dish soap per quart of water. You can also hose plants down with a strong stream of hose water. Another option is to use neem oil to disrupt the growth and development of mealybugs.
Plants native to the subtropics are in danger below 40 degrees F and pretty certainly going to be killed at 32 degrees F. Plants native to the tropics are often damaged below 50 degrees F and perish at about 40 degrees F.
H2 Rating - 34 to 41° F (1 to 5 C)
Overall, these annuals are the most delicate of all the hardy annuals - one might call them half-hardy since they are really only hardy into the few temperatures just above freezing. And it's important to NOT let them freeze.
First, it's good to know which plants are sensitive to temps around 35 or 40 degrees F. These are common tender plants that will need some protection. Hanging baskets: begonias, calibrachoa, gerbera, impatiens, vinca, euphorbia, and scoparia.
If you're looking for tips for protecting your plants from frost, avoid using garbage bags as plant covers. Trash bags are not the best protection against frost damage, primarily due to their material. Most garbage bags are made out of low-density polyethylene plastic.
Will a covered porch protect plants from frost? Yes, it will provide partial protection from light ice and chilly winds. Uproot tender perennials — Tender perennials are plants that cannot withstand deep freeze (roots, bulbs, tubers, and corms).
Indeed, a plant that is drought stressed will often show more damage after a light freeze. So if they are dry, always be sure to water your potted plants before a freeze to help them better handle the cold. ANSWER: It depends on how cold it's going to get.
If you placed some of your indoor plants outside for the summer, you will need to move them back indoors before temperatures get too cold. When nighttime temperatures start to dip consistently to around 50°F, it's time to bring plants back indoors.
This is usually about four to six weeks before the average first frost in your area. A couple of weeks before the temperatures dip to 50 degrees or below, put your potted plants underneath a tree or onto a covered porch so they can start adjusting to the reduced light they'll get in your home.
Try to get begonias indoors before the temperature drops below sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Fibrous varieties can make excellent houseplants, provided they have enough light exposure and moisture— keeping up the humidity levels inside is a helpful measure to take. It is best to leave tuberous-rooted begonias dormant.
Some plants can be damaged by frost. So even though the weather forecaster isn't predicting a freeze, once temperatures start to drop below 40°F you need to be aware.
Many newer cultivars are able to withstand hotter temperatures, but no petunias thrive in chilly temperatures. When spring temperatures dip below 40 degrees F, either cover your outdoor petunias with frost cloth or bring them indoors. Temperatures below freezing will kill them in a jiffy.
Ideal range 70-85°F day/60-70°F night for Zinnia growth and flowering. Below 50°F risks root rot, diseases, and growth slowdown. Protect with strategic planting, shade cloths, and frost blankets.
A moderate frost, with temperatures ranging from about 28°F to 32°F, necessitates a bit more precaution. In addition to tucking your plants in well with some frost cloth or cover, it's also a good idea to water your plants the evening before frost is expected to hit.
In my experience, common houseplants can take temperatures down to 40F, although there are many that can endure a short time at freezing. I keep many houseplants outdoors in the shade all through the warm season.
There are almost countless uses for cinnamon in the garden: it can be used as a nature-friendly pesticide, a repellent against annoying insects, or as a catalyst to promote root growth in plant cuttings.
If you just really love rocks (it's possible!), you can place a layer of small ones on top of your potting mix, which may actually help prevent fungus gnats from breeding there, Hancock says.
Insecticidal soap is one of the best ways of getting rid of aphids, as well as lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs and thrips. To create insecticidal soap, combine one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of dishwashing soap or pure castile liquid soap at Walmart.