If you want to enjoy your spice bark next year, you have to overwinter the plant properly. Just bringing them into your home isn't nearly enough.
The spice bark (Senna corymbosa) is one of the non-frost hardy plants. It is therefore necessary to hibernate in a sheltered, frost-free location. However, it is not enough if you just bring the spice bark into the house. You can't just leave the plant to its own devices. You have to choose the right location and the right temperature. In addition, the spice bark needs a little care in the winter location.
Put the spice bark in early
Even temporary night frosts can damage the delicate spice bark. It is therefore better to bring the plants into the winter quarters as soon as the night temperatures regularly fall below 5 °C. If there is not enough space, you can cut back the spice bark vigorously. However, pruning is not necessary for the plant.
The temperature at the winter location
You must not expose the spice bark to sub-zero temperatures at the winter location. On the other hand, if the temperatures are too high, there is a risk that the plant will be attacked by pests. Aphids and spider mites in particular often cause problems when the spice bark is too warm. Therefore, select a temperature range of no less than 2 °C and never more than 10 °C. In addition to adhering to the permissible maximum and minimum temperatures, you are doing the plant a favor if the temperature fluctuations over the course of the day are as small as possible.
The brightness at winter location
Spice rinds can be placed dark to light in winter. The less light falls on the plant, the lower the temperatures should be in the range mentioned above. In very dark locations, you must assume that the spice bark will lose all its leaves. This is by no means a problem, but rather an advantage, as leafless plants are less likely to fall prey to aphids and other pests.
Watering and fertilizing at the winter location
The liquid requirement of the spice rinds is compared to thewarmer seasons significantly reduced in winter. Therefore, water at longer intervals of about two weeks and even then not in large quantities. The root ball needs to be given some water occasionally, but not completely soaked. If the spice bark has shed its leaves, you can be even more careful when watering. You don't have to fertilize the spice bark in winter.
Remove spice bark late
Take your time clearing out the spice bark in spring. Ideally, you wait for the ice saints in mid-May. It is possible to place the plants on the terrace earlier. However, you should still keep space in the house free so that you can offer the spice bark the necessary protection for a short time if necessary.