DENVER — If your plants survived the first frost, now's the time to save them. You don't need a greenhouse, just a sunny window, enclosed porch or sunroom. West and south-facing windows are best. It doesn't need to be hot. It's actually best if the room is on the cool side. If it's too warm the plants will grow wildly and get leggy and floppy.
Ask yourself what you'd like to save and how much room you've got.
The first priority should be large, expensive tropical plants that would be difficult to replace such as hibiscus, oleander, angel trumpets and dwarf citrus.
Then consider saving patio plants. Either bring in the whole pot or dig and repot what you want to save. I try to save all of my geraniums, cuphea, coleus, lantana, pentas, begonias, salvias and flowering maples.
Sometimes you may want to save the "mother" plant as well as take cuttings. It's easy to root cuttings in jars on the windowsill. Coleus, sweet potato and bloodleaf are the easiest to root this way. Geraniums are best rooted in soil after brushing the lower stems with a rooting hormone.
Don't worry about cannas, dahlias, calla lilies or gladiolus until after the foliage has frosted. Then dig the bulbs and store them for winter in a dark, cool place.
Many people are reluctant to bring plants inside because they worry about bugs. Insects are easily controlled using a soapy spray or treating the plants with a systemic insecticide. Systemic insecticides are usually granular and are sprinkled on the soil surface and then watered in. The roots absorb the insecticide and distribute it throughout the plant. This will kill insects that chew or suck on the leaves. We never use this outside over concern that it could harm bees or butterflies. But that's not a factor indoors. Don't let plants freeze because you're worried about bugs.
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