Saturday, November 14, 2009

Will my crotons live?

I am in FL. We had one night of freeze last month and I didn't cover my big beautiful croton bush. All of the leaves have fallen off and it is not growing new leaves. Is it done? Or can I get it back somehow?

Will my crotons live?
Dropping leaves is common for crotons that have been damaged by cold weather. If the croton is close to a building or trees it may have survived despite some damage. Where in Florida do you live? I'm near Orlando, I just peeked at my crotons and there are new leaf buds showing already, if you live further north, your crotons may not have buds yet. Crotons can be killed by long periods of cold weather, but mine have survived some hard freezes....mainly because they are close to a wall at my house.





We're expecting cold weather again this week. I'd wait for another week or two, and then give the croton a heavy pruning. March is the best time to do heavy pruning, after the threat of freezes has past. Be sure to water the bush once a week to help it along, and fertize it during March. You should know within a month if the croton has survived.
Reply:Thanks! Good luck! Report It

Reply:they should be back by April when it will get more warm during the night. or the plants were too old to start with so I would replace them around the same time (April).
Reply:crotons are lovely in soup,,,,,,mmmm yeah :)


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