Lack of winter hardiness
The name Japanese myrtle is misleading because this plant actually comes from South America. Also with other names like wrong Heather or cigarette weed she is considered. However, unlike most true heather species, Japanese myrtle is not hardy.
also read
- Japanese myrtle - keep an eye on all care measures!
- Hibernate Japanese myrtle - live or let go?
- Propagating myrtle - sowing seeds or rooting cuttings?
Even degrees of plus just above zero are not well received. That is why the wintering of the Japanese myrtle outdoors does not lead to a good outcome. Even the best protective measures cannot make a harsh winter bearable.
Cultivate as an annual
Very few plant lovers have a large room where they can gather all frost-sensitive plants in winter. So it is carefully checked and selected which crop is worth the hibernation effort.
The Japanese myrtle often joins the list of losers. So you only have one year of existence. Next spring, the owner simply buys a new one. This is how wintering works too!
Cultivate for several years
It would be a shame not to exhaust the potential for a life of several years. Because the Japanese myrtle can be used well in a room overwinter. If there is really little space in the winter quarters, you can remove some of their abundance with the scissors.
Ideal winter quarters
In winter quarters, the frost must not spread a single day or night. This ensures the survival of this plant. However, so that it not only survives, but can welcome spring healthy and vital, it should get a little more warmth. The ideal temperature range is 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
The room should also be quite bright, because the cochlea likes to keep its leaves all year round and therefore needs light.
Time to move in
The best time to move into winter quarters is determined by the weather. Your job is to keep track of the weather eye to keep and respond in a timely manner. Let the myrtle show its last blossoms in autumn before it has to leave the garden before the first frost.
Care in the cold season
In winter quarters, until around mid-May, is limited the care of the evergreen Japanese myrtle to a minimum.
- Pour water at room temperature from time to time
- the bale should never dry out completely
- fertilize cautiously every 6-8 weeks
- or completely up Fertilize waive
- Repot shortly before moving out
Tips
Check the crop at regular intervals to see whether it is still healthy. Some pests find it easy to spread from plant to plant, especially in winter quarters.