Question
Hi Jacob and Jeff

   I had planned on mulching my bogs last Sunday, Mother Nature had other ideas. On Saturday, we got our first snowfall, leaving me with about two inches of snow on my bogs. I had already cut my plants back (except my purpurea and psittacinia)  and it is not that cold so I am not really about their health. What I am concerned about is when I can mulch.

I assume that I should wait till the snow melts so I can spray with the fungicide. The question is do I need to wait till the bogs dry a little in order to reduce the chance of mold over the winter, or just really hit them hard with the fungicide and hope for the best. The forecast calls for partly cloudy and highs in the low 40抯 and lows in the high 20抯 to low 30抯 with some rain or snow showers mid week.  It looks like it will be dry Thursday through Sunday.

In the meantime, should I cover them with some black plastic on the really cold nights? Does the plastic have to be black ?I have clear plastic that would cover the bogs.    

Nicole
90 miles north of NYC  

Answer
Hi Nicole,

If you think the weather is going to remain similar, and it will be above freezing during the day, you can wait until the snow melts then spray the fungicide.  If it looks like much colder weather is coming, then spray what you can, then mulch and cover them.

If you need to cover temporarily, the covering does need to be black.  Clear plastic will act like a greenhouse, and temperatures can build up rapidly.  I almost killed some plants doing this.

Hard to believe, but it's colder here in Oregon right now then it is in your area.  That arctic cold air moved south and we are having overnight temps in the teens.  We have all our stuff wrapped up under plastic.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com