How to manage the iron tree during the winter?

Cycad is a plant with great ornamental value. It has beautiful shape and emerald green leaves. It is suitable for planting alone or in groups in the courtyard, and can also be planted in pots for indoor viewing. The iron tree is very cold-resistant. During the maintenance process, attention should be paid to winter management to prevent frost damage. So how to manage the iron tree over the winter? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Temperature management

When the temperature drops to around 5℃, the iron tree needs to be moved indoors immediately for maintenance to avoid frost damage. If it is maintained outdoors, the trunk should be wrapped with straw rope to prevent cold air from entering. When the iron tree overwinters indoors, the room temperature should be kept above 5℃, and it is best to control it above 10℃ to maintain its normal physiological activities. If the room temperature is not high enough, you can use insulation such as plastic wrap or foam board to maintain the temperature.

2. Lighting management

The cycad likes a sunny environment and should be placed in a sunny place indoors in winter, such as near a window. If there is insufficient sunlight, artificial light can be used to supplement the light to improve its ability to resist cold.

3. Water management

The cycad grows slowly in winter and its demand for water decreases accordingly. Therefore, the frequency of watering should be reduced and the soil should be kept slightly dry. Watering should be done during mild midday and try to use warm water. When watering in winter, avoid waterlogging in the soil to avoid root rot. If the soil is too wet, you can loosen the soil appropriately to increase soil permeability.

4. Fertilization management

In autumn, organic fertilizer should be applied to the iron tree and mixed with a small amount of compound fertilizer to enhance its ability to resist cold. However, it is generally not suitable to fertilize the roots in winter to avoid damage to the root system. If you are worried that the iron tree lacks fertilizer in winter, you can use some foliar fertilizer to enhance the thickness of the leaves and their ability to resist cold. But be careful not to over-fertilize.

5. Pest and disease control

Winter is a season when diseases and insect pests are prone to occur. The leaves and branches of the iron tree should be checked regularly to detect and deal with diseases and insect pests in time. If pests and diseases are found, some common drugs can be used for treatment, such as carbendazim, methyl thiophanate, etc. However, care should be taken to spray according to the instructions to avoid damage to the cycad.

6. Pruning management

The iron tree can be properly pruned in winter to promote its growth and beautiful shape. Dead branches, weak branches and diseased branches can be cut off to reduce nutrient consumption and promote the growth of new branches. However, care should be taken not to over-prune, so as not to affect the growth and appearance of the iron tree.

The above is an introduction to how to manage the iron tree over the winter. The iron tree is cold-resistant but cannot withstand freezing. If the temperature is low in winter, it must be moved indoors in time. If the tree overwinters outdoors, you can use ropes to gather the branches and leaves, and wrap a layer of non-woven fabric around the outside of the tree to keep it warm.