Hello, I have a number of fruit tree seedlings, mostly prunus that didn’t put on much growth last year, so I decided to put overwinter them in the garage (unheated, but probably ~ +6 to +12 degrees Celsius depending on the day and whether or not its been opened).
That might have been a mistake, because I discovered today a number of them had begun re-sprouting. There’s not much light in the garage, so it’s a terrible place for them to actually grow, but I’m concerned the greenhouse might be too cold for the ones that have already sprouted (nighttime temps sometimes drop below zero C in Feb.), and in any case space is limited.
What’s best to do? Some have multiple sets of leaves, some just one or two, some swollen buds, some not sprouting yet. Our PNW winters are mild, but I can expect temps down to -5 to -10 C in February.
If I put the ones with just a little growth outside now will they realize its winter and go back to sleep or will it be too much stress for tiny plants? Should I put the ones with the most growth in the greenhouse? Please advise!
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, I don’t have grow lights or a cold frame, and the labour of moving them all twice a day is not practical for me right now, especially since there’s a fair distance between the garage and the fenced area, and plenty of deer outside the fence.
If you have some place in your house by a window that would work. I would keep them above 32, they can take a bit lower but not much. If there’s no place in the house I’d put them in the greenhouse, if possible under a plastic sheet with some lights under it.
Thank you, that’s very helpful to know how much cold they can tolerate! Luckily we’re heading into a warm spell/false spring, so it should be manageable to keep them going for now.