When a plant in your garden is slow to grow, you may assume it is dead. Some plants take some time in certain seasons to burst into new life. Here are tips to help you determine if your plant is dormant or ready to be thrown out.
Understanding dormant and dead plants
Dormancy
Dormancy in plants can look a lot like dead plants. You need to understand that dormancy may be normal and it is important to not force a plant out of dormancy as it can cause harm or even kill your plant. Plants undergo dormancy primarily to conserve energy, particularly in winter until milder weather returns.
Dead plants
Dead plants will snap while living plants will bend due to the moist living material inside the stem or branch. This is the easiest way to tell if they are dead or not. Take a twig from your plant and bend it. If the plant breaks immediately it is completely dead and not in dormancy.
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Tips for dormant plants
Knowing your plant’s dormancy cycle
Every plant you grow in your garden has a unique growth timeline. Climate can alter growing patterns, occasionally delaying dormancy for weeks. Some plants may start greening and bursting up with new life in late spring. This does not mean they are dead. Understanding your plant’s dormant cycle is vital.
Your evergreens will remain green
Healthy evergreens live up to their name, they remain green year-round. If you notice brown dead branches on your evergreen, they are surely dead. Remove the dead branches and give your plant time to fill in with new green branches. Signs of dead branches will be dropping leaves and brittle and brown branches.
Look for dead twigs
The easiest way to tell if your plants are dead or not is by their twigs. Dead twigs and branches are weak and easy to break. On some plants, even if the stems appear dead, the plant’s root system might be alive and well. This is when your plant is in its dormant state. Carefully inspect twigs before cutting them.
Give your plant time
If you are unsure whether your plant is dead or dormant, wait. Giving your plant time may be just what the plant needs. Recheck your plant in a couple of weeks. A few weeks of waiting for a plant to reveal more clues is a small price to pay to avoid digging up your plants while it is enjoying an extended dormancy state.
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Indoor gardening: the benefits of planting in pots and containers
Feature Image: Pexels
A version of this article was originally published in Garden&Home Magazine.
