Chumasande MatiwaneWhen a plant in your garden is slow to show signs of new growth, you may assume it is dead. Some plants take time to burst into new life. Here are tips to help you determine if your plant is still dormant or ready to be cut off.
Understanding the differences
Dormancy
Dormancy in plants can look a lot like death. You need to understand that plants go dormant for good reasons and it is important to not force a plant out of dormancy as it can cause harm or even kill your plant. The primary reason plants undergo dormancy is to conserve energy until milder warmer weather returns.
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Dead plants
Dead plants will snap while living plants will bend due to the moist living material inside the stem or branch. This is the easiest way to tell if they are dead or not. Take a twig from your plant and bend it sharply. If the plant breaks immediately it is completely dead and not in dormancy.
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There are a couple of simple tests you can use to determine if your plant is dead or just dormant.
Tips
Knowing your plant’s dormancy cycle
Every plant you grow in your garden has a unique growth timeline. Climate can alter growing patterns, occasionally delaying dormancy for weeks. Some plants may start greening and bursting up with new life in late spring. This does not mean they are dead. Understanding your plant’s dormant cycle is vital.
Your evergreens will remain green
Healthy evergreens live up to their name, they remain green year-round. If you notice brown dead branches on your evergreen, they are surely dead. Remove the dead branches and give your plant time to fill in with new green branches. Signs of dead branches will be dropping leaves and brittle and brown branches.
Look for dead twigs
The easiest way to tell if your plants are dead or not is by their twigs. Dead twigs and branches are weak and easy to break. On some plants, even if the stems appear dead, the plant’s root system might be alive and well. This is when your plant is in its dormant state. Carefully inspect twigs before cutting them.
Give your plant time
If you are unsure whether your plant is dead or dormant, wait. Giving your plant time may be just what the plant needs. Recheck your plant in a couple of weeks. A few weeks of waiting for a plant to reveal more clues is a small price to pay to avoid digging up your plants while it is enjoying an extended dormancy state.
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Pay special attention to the main root of your plants.
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