Cold weather is highly beneficial for managing outdoor plants and controlling insect pests, but it poses a significant challenge for the survival of newly planted seedlings. To ensure their safe wintering, the following management practices are recommended:
During the winter season, many pests and diseases become dormant, making it an ideal time to implement preventive measures. By taking advantage of this period, you can effectively control pests and diseases with greater efficiency.
1. After pruning, remove dead leaves and cut off branches that show signs of insect infestation, such as wormholes, eggs, or adult insects. Clear the area by removing shrub leaves and weeds, which helps eliminate overwintering sites for aphids and planthoppers. All cut material should be burned to prevent the spread of pests like larvae, cockroaches, scale insects, and leaf-eating insects.
2. Carefully scrape the bark on tree trunks, especially around cracks and crevices. Use a knife to gently remove the bark without damaging the tender tissue underneath. Place a plastic sheet beneath the tree to collect the scraped bark, which can then be treated or burned. After scraping, spray the affected areas with a 3–5 degree lime sulfur solution to effectively manage scale insects and spider mites.
3. Painting tree trunks with a white wash helps eliminate pests hiding in the bark and protects the trunk from sunscald. The mixture should consist of 36–40 parts water, 10–20 parts quicklime, 1–2 parts salt, 2 parts clay, and 2 parts lime sulfur stock solution. Mix thoroughly and apply evenly, ensuring the coating is not too thick.
4. Manually remove moth larvae that overwinter in pods hanging on branches. These larvae often remain on fallen leaves during winter, so collecting and burning them can significantly reduce their population.
For newly planted seedlings and plants that are not cold-tolerant, proper winter protection is essential. Implementing these measures can improve survival rates and promote healthy growth in the following season.
1. Cover low-growing plants such as guajava or dwarf shrubs with shade nets at night or during frost. This prevents direct contact with cold air and raises the temperature by 1–2°C. In favorable conditions, add a layer of plastic under the net to block wind and enhance insulation. Secure the cover with bricks or stones and remove it during the day. For taller plants like newly planted cedars or citrons, create a protective enclosure using shade nets and secure it with string to form a cylindrical shape. On sunny days, lift the net from the bottom to allow light exposure and increase warmth.
2. Wrap the trunks and large branches of high-drought plants like privet or Huangshan Mountain with straw ropes, creating a 10–20 cm wide band around the trunk. This helps prevent freezing damage to the plant’s main structure.
3. Water the soil around seedlings before the ground freezes. This helps retain heat, as water has a higher specific heat capacity and absorbs more warmth during the day, increasing the ground temperature.
4. Apply organic fertilizers by digging 3–4 holes around the canopy, 50–100 cm deep. Materials like horse manure or chopped grass can help raise soil temperature while enriching the soil. Combine this with earthing up to form a small mound around the base of the plant, protecting the root neck from frost damage.
Pruning should be done carefully during winter. For dormant plants like roses or crape myrtle, delay pruning until spring when temperatures rise and new growth begins. If necessary, make only minimal cuts and trim again later to remove any frost-damaged sections. For evergreen plants like boxwood or dwarf cypress, timely pruning improves their appearance and reduces water loss, enhancing their ability to withstand cold weather.
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