Oleander, lemon trees and angel's trumpet: As soon as it gets warmer again in spring, the time comes when the green balcony decoration can be placed outside. In this article you will find out how to proceed correctly and which maintenance measures are now sensible.
Exotic potted plants should spend the summer outdoors
Get used to the sun slowly
Balcony plants that have hibernated indoors and that you suddenly place in the spring sun, which is already shining strongly, do not cope well with this change. However, it is also not optimal if you bring the plants outside too early, because then cold nights could kill them.
A gentle transition
Slowly acclimate your potted plants to the changed conditions. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Place the plants in a semi-shady place for a few hours at first.
- The morning or evening sun is well suited.
- The next step is to leave it there all day on warm days.
- If the nights are guaranteed to be frost-free, the plants can stay outside.
- Gradually expose your green darlings to more and more sun. How to avoid sunburn on the leaves.
Do not forget to water regularly, according to the water requirements.
Cut back potted plants
Shortly before they sprout, potted plants are cut back. This stimulates new growth and bushy growth. Sparsely growing plants such as citrus plants, fuchsias and geraniums can be brought back into a pretty shape by pruning.
However, you should be careful with plants such as the oleander, which starts to bud in autumn. It is better to cut back a little more carefully here.
Fresh soil for a good start to the summer
Spring is the right time to place potted plants in a larger container:
- Water the plant first so that it can be easily removed from the pot.
- Grasp the plant just above the substrate and carefully pull it out.
- The roots should remain intact.
- If this is not possible, for example because the roots have already grown out of the water drainage hole, it is better to sacrifice the planter.
- You can cut open plastic pots with sharp scissors. Clay pots may need to be smashed with a hammer.
tips
Check all plants thoroughly for pests in spring. Since you are cutting back anyway, you can get rid of pests without using chemicals by cutting off affected shoots.