Tender treatment

Just as we harden off plants, we must do the reverse with those we wish to house indoors over winter, says Bob

- Bob Flowerdew

AS autumn arrives, it’s soon time to bring our tender conservatory and house plants safely back undercover again. Naturally, some are more urgent than others, with softer, more succulent ones needing to come in soonest.

Larger, older, tougher specimens, and plants like citrus, can endure some cold (though not frosts, of course) so can stay out a tad longer. Most will probably be happier staying outdoors until the weather really deteriorates. Indeed, one year, when I failed to bring in my largest lemon with the others, I noticed it was in much better condition than the others when I eventually did retrieve it.