Temperature - The
extreme temperatures of the past month are enough to stress any
plant. Hopefully we are past the point of worrying about frost
or night temps below 50'F, but this is Minnesota and anything's
possible.
Light - When you
first buy a plant and take it home, you should "harden it off" by
placing it in the sun for a few hours during the morning and in the
shade during the afternoon so that it doesn't get sunburned.
Each day you can increase the time in the sun until it's at the
appropriate amount (Part Sun=4-6 hours, Full Sun=more than 6
hours). When the temperatures increase the roof of our
greenhouse opens, so plants get direct sun and are quicker to
transition once you take them home.
Hail - In the past year
or two
many of you suffered Hail storms. As long as there's some foliage, the plants should recover
Hail,
especially under warmer weather, but realize it may
take several weeks to see major improvements. For plants that
have been entirely stripped, unfortunately you'll have to wait and
see if they are able to re-grow.
Water/Fertilizer -
Baskets and planters will take different amounts of water when they
are first planted versus later in the summer. Keep in mind
that unless you receive at least an inch of rain a day, many
containers will need water the following day. Also, remember
that your containers need constant feeding (just like your pets or
kids), so plants that don't get fertilizer won't bloom as well and
will become stressed.
Plants in the ground will
need more water when they are first planted, since the roots haven't
expanded past the root ball you planted. Once they get roots
reaching out into the surrounding soil, then they may not need water
beyond the periodic rain.
NOTE: If a plant has
been stressed by cold, hail, etc. the worst thing is to stress it
even more by over-watering! Make sure to check the
moisture (either by the weight of a basket/pot or by testing the
soil with your finger) before giving any plant water. Don't
assume a plant needs water if it looks a little wilted, since this
could be a sign of a stressed plant that does NOT need water.
Also keep in mind that a stressed plant is more susceptible to root
diseases and pests!
WARNING! Many perennials, like Hibiscus and Butterfly Bush, need
lots of heat before they begin to sprout. If you're
unsure if a plant is alive you can dig in the soil around the base of the plant and if
the plant feels firm and solid, give it more time (possibly as late
as July 1) before pulling it out. But if it's mushy and soft,
it has probably died from root rot (being too wet over the
winter/spring).
NOTE: The
largest cause of plants not surviving the winter is often root rot.
If you want to increase the survival rate of any new perennials,
mound the plant up high, so that water drains away from the base of
the plant.
