citrus fruits
In Auvergne, citrus fruits are not planted in the ground . Plant them in pots to bring them indoors for the winter. Citrus generally resists around 0 to -5°C. Some varieties are more resistant to cold than others, so choose your variety carefully depending on where you live.
Among the most resistant:
- The mandarin tree: -12°C
- The lemon tree, Meyer variety: -10/-12°C
Be careful, citrus fruits fear the cold but also heated living rooms with dry air!
The ideal storage conditions during the winter
- bright room
- Temperature between 5 and 10°C
The maximum temperature for wintering a citrus fruit is 15/18°C. Choose an unheated room, a garage provided there is light.
It is better to leave a citrus fruit outdoors, protecting it from the cold with wintering veils. You thus gain 4 to 6 degrees, in case of wind. Be careful, we do not leave the winter veil all winter. It is only installed when the temperatures require it and then removed.
Watch out for the water.
For temperatures between between 0 and 5°C, water once a month. Between 5 and 10°C, water once a week. The higher the temperature, the more you water.
The citrus must have dry feet. No water in the saucer. We divide by 2 or 3 the resistance to cold, in humid conditions.
– Cris Canton
The oleanders
Like citrus fruits, there are various varieties of oleander, some of which are very cold-resistant. Most resist between -4 and -6°C. But you have certain varieties, such as the “Villa Romaine” oleander which is resistant to -12/-15°C. We can therefore consider planting these varieties in the ground in Auvergne plain. Choose an exposure to the sun and sheltered from the wind, for example along a wall.
The red or white varieties are more fragile, around -3/-4°C. It is best to plant them in pots.
Oleander does not require much watering. It has evergreen foliage. It is a plant that can have its place in a hedge. The Photinia laurel freezes, for example, around -20°C.
– Desi Tseneva / 500px
In general, to properly overwinter your plants
- Know your plant’s cold hardiness
- Bring them in, if necessary, in bright and cool rooms
- water
- Watch out for the winter veil, don’t leave it on all winter. Apply it only when needed, depending on the plant and the temperatures.