How to protect plants over winter

Lily 2 18/10/2012 at 20:28

I have a green and a red cordoline I wrapped the green one up a couple of years ago it got too warm and rotted. I cut it back and it has grown again.

How do I protect it from frost without it sweating and rotting again this year. I dont have a greenhouse or shed I can put it in

Madonbirds 18/10/2012 at 22:58

When you wrapped it, did you use fleece or polythene/bubble wrap, as the latter two would not allow it to breathe too well and lead to rotting? I'd tie the leaves upwards (protecting the core) and then wrap with horticultural fleece, maybe stand the pots on supports so the compost can drain well.

chrissieB 19/10/2012 at 07:41

Are your cordylines very exposed? Ours have always survived quite happily outside without any protection (north-east aspect but some frost protection from trees). It's a tricky judgment to make as with or without can be risky just in different ways. 

Agree that if you do want to protect that you use breathable fleece which will hopefully allow some air to circulate and don't wrap it too tightly.

Dovefromabove 19/10/2012 at 07:48

In the past people have used straw - lots of it - wrapped around with netting.  That allows it to breathe.

Chalmers44 19/10/2012 at 16:10

Have just purchased 2 twisted stem bay trees should I over winter them inside the house, out in the unheated greenhouse or keep in patio pots outside? Also how much water do they require?
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