QUESTION : How do you tell if a plant is abeyant or dead ? We had a hard frost and a lot of our bush look dead , but I do n’t want to supervene upon them if I do n’t have to . Roger E
ANSWER : There are two different types of dormancy . Predictive dormancy , which is ordinarily spark off by a drop in temperature , is when a plant take that wintertime is coming and starts to close down in advance of its arrival . Consequential quiescence is when a plant go into quiescency after contrary weather conditions spring up .
works go into quiescence for good reason , and a coinage that has quiescence needs can not be tricked to stay out of dormancy for prolonged periods without negatively charged consequences . If you bring a temperate clime plant indoors , you may get it to grow for about two years straight , at which point it will go into quiescence no matter what surround it is provided with , and that dormancy will be prolong until the plant has amply prepared itself for the upcoming seasons .
Deciduous plant will shed their leaves and evergreen will stop over all new growth . Both indoor and outdoor plants will go into dormancy when they are try . If a plant is exceedingly ironical , it may shed its leaves in an attempt to conserve what piffling water system remains in its system . Many times , dormant plants are discarded because they are believe to be stagnant , when they are really just waiting for environmental consideration to improve before continuing increase . Whether it is due to focus or wintertime weather conditions , plant will go torpid as a defense mechanism to keep themselves live . So , how do you know if a plant is dormant , or really dead ?
One method is the snap - scratch test . snaffle a twig from the flora , shrub , or tree in question and bend it aggressively back upon itself . A dead limb will crack easily , while a living arm will simply bend , showing moist , living wood within . Alternatively , use a knife or fingernail to come up the bark of a young branchlet . A living limb will divulge unripened under the bark and will be slightly damp . A dead limb will uncover brownish teetotal material .
Another way to check whether a plant is dead or just abeyant , is to scrutinize its theme system . If the ancestor are rotten or wither , the plant is most likely dead . If the origin are promiscuous and supple , then you are in luck , your plant life is just in a state of matter of dormancy , and will before long turn back to growing once more . Sometimes , the rootage run is challenging to make out , as some roots are dead and shrivel , while others wait untouched . If this is the subject , it ’s of import to check the primary rootage first and foremost . If the basal ascendant is healthy , then the plant is likely just dormant . In this case , you belike will want to cut off the shriveled or morbid roots entirely , leaving just the sizeable roots intact before replanting the flora back into its home .
