Wintering does not mean that you can leave the thuja to its own devices during the cold season. But on the contrary. You have to do a lot here.
The thuja, which is originally native to East Asia and North America, is known as a robust and easy-care plant. It is considered to be particularly vigorous and is also familiar with rougher climatic conditions. But be careful: The terms hardy and winter-proof appear in connection with the overwintering of plants. There are certain differences to be made here. If you don't know these differences, mistakes will quickly creep in when overwintering the thuja.
Winter hard versus winter hardy - What are the differences?
If the term hardy appears, it does not automatically mean that the plant will survive the winter in the bed or tub without hesitation. Hardy means that the plant is only partially suitable for spending the winter outdoors. So that the plant is not damaged, certain conditions must prevail. In severe frosts or particularly wet winters, for example, the plants need protection.
Hardy plants can spend the cold season outdoors without any additional measures. Since the Thuja is a hardy plant, you can assume that no winter protection is necessary.
Important:
When buying special varieties, pay attention to further information from the manufacturer. For example, certain temperature limits can be specified or winter hardiness can be limited to certain climate zones. The note: "conditionally hardy" indicates that the plant needs certain conditions to survive the winter unscathed. Such or similar notes are often found with thujas. This makes it possible for you to find a suitable plant that is suitable for your climatic conditions from the we alth of offers.
❖ Overwintering Thuja outdoors
The hardy plants usually do not require any appropriate measures or protective measures. Most of the varieties offered are hardy to -35 degrees. Some species of the tree of life surviveTemperatures down to -21 degrees without prejudice. The cold does not cause any problems for the plant. But that doesn't mean that you can lose sight of the tree of life completely in winter, because the cold season can still leave its mark and ultimately even damage the plants.
Avoid care mistakes in winter
Even if the thuja is considered a robust plant, snow, ice and harsh winds still leave their mark. Neither does the plant get a lack of water. Some species of the tree of life turn brownish in winter. This is not a serious problem, but a crop protection in its own right. The tannins protect the plant from severe frost. As this is a completely natural process, the leaves should regain their green color by spring.
Tips for Thuja care in winter
- Water plants thoroughly before the first frosts.
- Apply bark mulch to keep moisture from escaping too quickly.
- Protect young plants with garden fleece or plastic film.
- Do not remove crop protection until April.
Road s alt - the creeping danger
Road s alt can not only be dangerous for the tree of life, many other conifers are also affected. A sign that the plant has been in contact with de-icing s alt can be browning of the leaves near the ground. If brown discoloration appears at the tip of the branches, it should be cut back immediately. On frost-free days you can hose down the plants to transport the s alt into the deeper layers of the earth.
By the way:
Needle discoloration can also be caused by insufficient moisture or high manganese levels in the soil.
❖ Overwinter Thuja as a container plant
If the thuja is in a bucket, it is less robust than the specimens cultivated outdoors. The sometimes quite small pots cannot offer the plants the conditions they are used to outdoors. If the soil in the pot freezes, the plants can no longer absorb water. On frost-free days you should therefore water the plants more frequently. This means that the plants in the pot can be described as winter-hardy or only partially hardy and the intervention of the hobby gardener is always necessary to prevent the plants from freezing or dying.
What should be considered when overwintering potted plants outdoors?
- use frost-proof vessels
- Move the planter to a sheltered spot
- Roots in frontProtect Frost
- Place the planter on wood or styrofoam
- Cover planters with garden fleece or coconut mats
- Cover substrate with brushwood, straw or leaves
Ceramic or plastic planters are unsuitable as they can easily shatter in permafrost. The location should not only be protected, but also in the shade. Strong sunlight could otherwise lead to frost cracks. A protected spot on house walls is particularly recommended. It is an advantage if you move several buckets together so that they protect each other. This means that the frost cannot hit the planter from all sides unhindered. The winter protection should then remain on the plant until the end of April, because younger plants in particular are very sensitive to late frosts.
Summary:
| Type of posture | Notes on winter storage |
|---|---|
| Thuja outdoors | ❍ hardy ❍ no special protection necessary ❍ water on frost-free days ❍ avoid contact with road s alt |
| Thuja in bucket | ❍ conditionally hardy ❍ protected, shady location ❍ wrap plant pot with fleece or foil ❍ protect soil with brushwood or barrel ❍ from drying out protect ❍ do not remove winter protection until April |