hardiness
Winter hardiness is highly dependent on various factors.
As exotic gardeners, we should pay particular attention to these in order to get our plantings through the winter as undamaged as possible and with little effort.
Here are some key points that affect hardiness:
Pruning: Despite optimisation of all factors, the different plants/species/varieties have their genetic limits. For example, the pomegranate "Wonderful" will not survive minus 20 degrees Celsius even with the best care. This is why it is not included in our range despite its good fruit quality.
Environmental influences: Environmental influences such as air and water quality or toxins such as pesticides have a significant impact on vigour, which in turn influences stress tolerance to a number of factors, including winter hardiness.
Age: Age and, in this context, acclimatisation have a significant influence on resistance. Larger, older plants that have adapted to their location over a longer period of time have a much greater chance of withstanding more extreme temperatures. However, this does not mean buying large plants and the problem is solved. The large plants that are quickly grown in greenhouses or those that come from nurseries in southern Europe such as Spain or France have never undergone this acclimatisation process and therefore have far less chance of surviving here. This applies to both winter and summer.
Winter protection: If, for example, you want to grow our hardy avocados on the Brocken in the Harz Mountains or in non-warm wine-growing regions in Germany, you will not be able to avoid winter protection in winter when the temperature drops well below minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Celsius for long periods. The fleeces, heating cables etc. that are commonly available on the market can help here, as can the classic manure pack, leaves and other household remedies. In general, you should keep an eye on the weather conditions and protect your plants accordingly.
Nutrient balance: This is again related to vitality, nutrient requirements and supply. This is influenced by pH value, water availability and climate. It is important to apply a small amount of potassium fertiliser before winter to strengthen the cell structure of the plants and make them more resistant to the cold.
Microclimate: Microclimates can vary greatly from region to region. In a friend's nursery just a few kilometres away, for example, it is always several degrees colder in winter than here. The frosts there occur earlier in autumn and later in spring than here. Choose the location for your plants carefully.
Soil: Soil type and pH value play an important role in stability as well as nutrient and water supply, which in turn have a strong influence on vigour and therefore also on winter hardiness. As a rule, the more vigorous the plant, the more stress it can withstand. Basically, a loose crumb structure with a natural humus layer and a pH value in the slightly acidic to neutral range is a suitable location for many plants.
Location: The location can be fatal even for old apple or pear varieties with extreme winter hardiness. In general, a sheltered location is recommended for exotic plants that are cultivated at the limit. Avoid strong easterly winds and favour sheltered microclimate areas such as house walls, patios and much more.
Our tip: buy smaller plants and protect them a little for the first few years.
Due to these many, very important factors, we cannot guarantee an exact minimum temperature in winter. All values given in the product descriptions have been tested by us under optimal conditions for the plants.
If this is not the case for an offered genetics, this information is omitted. Try to implement the factors as best as possible and the plants will thank you. Again and again one wonders how tough they are and keep setting new records.