How to help your tropical plants survive the winter blues

In this case, summer fruits are a delightful way to beat the heat and add some flavor to your meals. Summer fruits are often associated with heat, but they also have health benefits. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular summer fruits, their health benefits, and some ways to incorporate them into your meals. Summer Fruits of the Tropics The tropics and subtropics are regions characterized by a warm and humid climate. In these regions, many fruits are native and thrive throughout the year. These include:

Durian: A tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, known for its unique smell and creamy texture. Durian is rich in vitamins C and B6, potassium, and healthy fats. * Mango: A sweet and juicy fruit native to South Asia, popular for its vibrant orange color and rich flavor.

Preparing Your Plants for Winter

As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, it’s essential to prepare your tropical plants for the cold winter months. This includes bringing potted plants indoors, pruning or dividing them, and protecting them from frost damage.

Bringing Potted Plants Indoors

If you have potted plants like elephant ears, cannas, or caladiums, it’s crucial to bring them inside before the first frost. This will help protect them from damage caused by freezing temperatures and prevent them from becoming a casualty of winter.

Preparing Your Garden for Winter

As the weather starts to cool down, it’s essential to prepare your garden for the harsh winter months ahead. This involves protecting your plants from frost, freezing temperatures, and other extreme weather conditions.

Dormancy is a natural response to environmental stressors, helping plants conserve energy and survive adverse conditions.

Understanding Dormancy in Plants

Dormancy is a natural process that allows plants to conserve energy and survive adverse conditions. It’s a state of inactivity, characterized by reduced growth, and a decrease in metabolic processes. During dormancy, plants stop producing new growth, and their energy is redirected towards maintaining basic physiological functions.

Why Do Plants Go into Dormancy? Plants enter dormancy in response to environmental cues, such as:

Temperature: Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can induce dormancy in plants. Light: Lack of light or reduced light intensity can trigger dormancy. Water: Drought or water stress can cause plants to enter dormancy.

This is the best way to keep them from freezing and rotting.

Why You Shouldn’t Cut Back In-Ground Bananas in the Fall

In the fall, many gardeners mistakenly believe that cutting back in-ground bananas in preparation for winter is necessary. However, this practice can actually cause more harm than good. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why you shouldn’t cut back in-ground bananas in the fall and provide a simple, effective method for storing them over the winter.

The Risks of Cutting Back In-Ground Bananas

Cutting back in-ground bananas can lead to a range of problems, including:

Reduced plant growth and productivity in the spring

Increased susceptibility to disease and pests

Reduced yields and lower fruit quality

Potential damage to the plant’s root system

Why Cutting Back In-Ground Bananas Isn’t Necessary

In-ground bananas are typically grown in warm, humid climates, where the risk of frost is low. In these regions, the plants can survive the winter months without protection. However, in cooler climates, the plants may need protection from frost and freezing temperatures.

A Better Approach: Digging and Storing

Instead of cutting back in-ground bananas, a better approach is to dig them up, contain their roots in a plastic trash bag, and store them as you would their potted counterparts.

___ For more AP gardening stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/gardening. Jessica Damiano, The Associated Press