We finally have been feeling those cooler temperatures we?ve all been waiting for. Those of us that have our roots in the north actually enjoy putting on a sweater or a jacket.......but just occasionally. Actually that?s why we came here, right? But before long we?ll be complaining that it?s too cold and want that sticky, oppressive summer heat back, well maybe not sticky and not quite yet!
Our plants in general are fairly happy with the cooler temperatures. We can now grow our beloved pansies, petunias and snapdragons. For the fall months we had the gorgeous mums decorating our local garden centers. Now the poinsettias are taking their turn making the garden centers a feast for our eyes.
You know there has to be a problem here somewhere...... things just seem way too idyllic don?t they?
Well when the temperatures drop to just 50 some of our plants will not be happy at all. It?s going to be time to bring some of them inside if we want them to survive. Tropical plants like African violets, pothos, diffenbachia and aglaonema are probably on your patio right now and they will not enjoy the cool weather.
Check with your most trusted weatherman before you go to bed as the temperatures might drop below 50 while you?re asleep and you?ll never know why your formerly lush, prized plants will all of a sudden have yellow leaves, brown spots and look a little droopy. It might not happen immediately but it will happen.
The ficus is another plant most of us have on our patios that will have an issue if the temperatures drop below 40. Ficus will seem to be doing just fine, staying green, looking great and you will think that I have steered you wrong. But soon you will notice a few leaves turning yellow then dropping and before long your ficus will need a dust pan and broom parked right next to it.
If you are decorating your yard and patio with poinsettias remember if you temperatures drop to freezing. They will freeze! Poinsettias may be a holiday/wintertime plant but will not like wintertime temps. If you want to save yourself a little disappointment and still enjoy your poinsettias outside. Plant them in their pots. When a freeze is expected......remove them from the ground and into your garage and replace them back in their same holes when temps go above 32 degrees.
So check with the weatherman at bedtime and keep your patio plants and poinsettias happy.
Joani?s Words of Wisdom...........When in doubt.....don?t leave it out!
