The month of December will generally be dry, with two inches of rain if we’re lucky. December’s daytime temperatures are usually warm, ranging from 66 to 85; and lows from 43 to 72. But, this is a month when frost can also occur. The bottom line? Be prepared for anything and watch for plants drying out if there is heat combined with wind.
This month’s garden checklist: keep plants and turf adequately hydrated and guard tender tropicals (including orchids) from low temperatures.
- Tropicals – This is not their favorite season. No need to call in the paramedics if you see some yellowing and loss of foliage due to cooler temperatures. When it turns chilly and there’s rain, brown spot can appear on the leaves of ixora and croton.
- Frost predicted? Water your plants and, if necessary, cover them (no plastic!). Remember to remove the covering by 10 a.m. so that daytime temperatures don’t cook your plants. To be on the safe side, orchids should be brought in or protected if temperatures are predicted to drop below 50 degrees.
- Potted poinsettias need to be watered, but should not be allowed to get too wet. They do best with at least 14 hours of light per day.
- Christmas cacti and kalanchoes are best watered every two to three weeks. Once they bloom, they require lots of light, but very little water – and no fertilizer.
- Cages, pools, proximity to a wall, a rotating ceiling fan…all will moderate temperatures. The coldest temperature will occur around 6 – 6:30 a.m. It only takes a few minutes of cold, not freezing temperatures, to substantially harm or kill tropical plants.
- Pruning – Forget it, especially if it’s a frost-sensitive plant. Pruning encourages tender new growth. You can safely prune again in March.
- Annuals – Remove dead flowers to encourage continued flowering.
- Spring flowering shrubs – Be certain they have adequate moisture. They’re using this time to develop their flower buds. This is not a good time to plant something new for your garden. If you do, theyshould be shrubs, annuals and perennials. Using your hose, water them in well and continue to provide water a few times a week to supplement the irrigation system.
- At this time of year established plants have definitely slowed down their growth rate and consequently require less of everything… water, fertilizer and pruning. Water less frequently, but deeply, to encourage deep healthy roots.
