One of the basic and at the same time difficult care treatments during wintering is maintaining the proper moisture of the substrate. The intensity of watering is influenced by several factors, such as the loss of leaves by plants for the winter, storage temperature, type of substrate and, finally, the requirements of individual species.Plants that lose their leaves for the winter, such as datura, fuchsia and geraniums, are watered modestly to prevent the root ball from drying out.
Plants that are always green still transpire, so they are watered more abundantly. However, it should be remembered that plants, staying in relatively low temperature, go through a period of dormancy, in which all their physiological processes are slower, so they do not need as much water as during intensive development in summer. The stagnant water not only restricts the access of oxygen to the roots, causing them to rot, but in the cool conditions of the conservatory, it also quickly contributes to fungal infections.
To prevent this from happening, plant the plants in a well-drained substrate and provide them with a thick layer of drainage. Clay and organic substrates such as peat have a high water holding capacity. Such surfaces should be loosened, e.g. with sand.
