Flower Care Tips for Autumn

Autumn is a magical time in Australia when nature transforms into a canvas of warm hues—gold, crimson, and russet. As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, this season brings unique challenges for plant care, but with the right tips and tricks, you can keep your blooms vibrant and healthy and your gardens and homes can still burst forth with vibrant blooms.

During Autumn, the changing temperatures and decreasing daylight hours impact the health of your flowers and plants. Fresh cut flowers may wilt faster, while indoor and outdoor plants may struggle to adjust to the changing conditions. Lack of proper care during this season can lead to drooping petals, yellowing leaves, and overall dullness in your floral displays.

If fresh cut flowers are not properly cared for during Autumn, they can lose their freshness quickly and not last as long as they should. Indoor plants may suffer from over-watering or under-watering due to the changing weather conditions, leading to root rot or dehydration. Outdoor plants may be more susceptible to pests and diseases during this season if not properly protected.

Whether you’re an indoor plant enthusiast, an outdoor gardener, or someone who loves adorning vases with fresh-cut flowers, here’s your guide to ensure that your autumn blossoms remain radiant and resilient during the season.

Fresh Cut Flowers: A Splash of Autumn Indoors

Taking care of fresh-cut flowers during autumn ensures they stay vibrant and last longer. Here are some essential flower care tips for your autumn blooms in Australia.

1. When bringing the fresh flowers home, start with a clean slate. Wash your vases thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth. 
2. Trim the stems of your fresh flowers at a 45-degree angle. Why? It helps them absorb water more efficiently due to increased surface area. Place them in the vase filled with fresh water, and watch them brighten up your living space. 
3. Replace the water every 2 days as fresh water prevents bacterial growth and keeps the flowers hydrated.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight. Strong sunlight or heat can cause flowers to wilt prematurely. Keep your vase away from direct sunlight or heat.
5. Remove Excess Foliage. Removing past-prime petals and excess leaves keeps the water clean. Check water regularly, and remove any petals and leaves that fall in, or are submerged in water.
6. Change Water Regularly. Fresh water prevents bacterial growth and keeps the flowers hydrated. Replace the water every 2 days.

Indoor Plant Care: Nurturing Your Green Companions

1. Watering Wisdom: As the days grow cooler, adjust your watering schedule. Indoor plants need less frequent watering during Autumn. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Remember, overwatering can be as harmful as underwatering.
2. Light Adjustment: With shorter daylight hours, your indoor plants might crave more light. Move them closer to windows or invest in artificial grow lights. Observe their response—healthy leaves facing the light indicate you’ve got it right.
3. Re-potting: Before the cooler temperatures set in, seize the opportunity to re-pot any plants that have outgrown their containers or are exhibiting signs of root boundness. Re-potting allows for fresh soil and increased room for root growth, setting your plants up for success as they enter dormancy or reduced growth phases during autumn and winter.
4. Adjust Fertilizer Schedule: As plant growth slows down in autumn, adjust your fertilizing schedule accordingly. Reduce the frequency of fertilization or switch to a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer to support overall plant health without encouraging excessive growth. Follow the recommended dosage to avoid overfertilization.
5. Maintain Humidity Levels: Indoor heating systems can lead to dry indoor air, which may adversely affect your plant's health. Group plants together, use a humidifier, or place trays filled with water and pebbles beneath pots to increase ambient humidity and keep your plants happy.
6. Prune and Tidy Up: Pruning is the practice that involves selectively trimming or cutting parts of a plant, such as branches, leaves, or roots. As your plants prepare for dormancy or reduced growth, take the time to prune away any dead or yellowing leaves, spent flowers, or leggy growth. Regular pruning maintains overall plant hygiene and prepares them for the warmer months ahead.

Explore our Indoor Plant collection here.

Outdoor Plants: Tackling Autumn Challenges

As autumn settles in Australia, it’s essential to safeguard your outdoor potted plants and garden beauties. As temperatures drop, frost becomes a concern. Here are some expert tips to ensure your outdoor and garden plants thrive during this transitional season.

1. Mulch: Mulch is a protective layer of material applied to the soil surface around plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your outdoor plants. It acts as a cozy blanket, protecting roots from frost. Common types of mulch include shredded bark, straw, wood chips, leaves, and compost. Choose the type that best suits your garden’s needs and aesthetics.
2. Covering: On frosty nights, cover vulnerable plants with old bed sheets or burlap sacks. Uncover them during the day to allow sunlight in. Set up Mini Greenhouses or cloches over sensitive plants to shield them from cold winds and frost.
3. Move Potted Plants Indoors or to Sheltered Areas: Potted plants are more vulnerable to temperature extremes. Bring them indoors or position them against a sheltered wall or under eaves. This provides some protection from chilly winds and frost.
4. Avoid Nitrogen-Rich Fertilizers in Autumn: Young, tender growth is more sensitive to frost damage. Refrain from adding nitrogen-rich fertilizers during autumn. Instead, focus on balanced fertilizers to maintain overall plant health without encouraging excessive growth.
5. Grow Frost-Sensitive Plants Under Tree Canopies: Trees act as natural shields against frost. Plant frost-sensitive species under the canopies of taller trees. The tree cover protects during cold nights and frosty mornings.
6. Pests and Diseases: Autumn brings unwelcome guests—pests and diseases. Stay vigilant. Inspect Regularly. Check your plants for signs of trouble—discolored leaves, wilting, or unusual spots. Use neem oil or garlic spray to deter pests. Remove affected leaves promptly to prevent the spread of diseases.

Choosing Wisely for Autumn: Cool-Weather Champions

In Australia’s autumn, certain outdoor plants thrive easily. Consider these varieties as they require much less effort from your end. This ensures your garden remains radiant and vibrant with colors even during the transitional season.

1. Dahlia
   
   Dahlias flourish both outdoors in garden beds and indoors in containers. They come in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, from fiery reds to delicate pastels. These tuberous beauties are tough, drought-tolerant, and love our hot summers as well as fall of autumn. Dahlias reward you with continuous flowering from mid-summer through autumn.
   
   Provide sturdy stakes to prevent them from toppling over. Keep them well-fed, mulched, and watered for fabulous cut flowers.
   
   
2. Roses
   
   Roses thrive in outdoor gardens. The autumn bloom of David Austin and Delbard roses is better than spring. Their blooms are bigger and more resilient in cooler air. They combine old-world fragrances with repeat-flowering characteristics. French Delbard roses, part of the ‘Painters’ Collection,’ are splashed with captivating colors.
   
   Regular pruning ensures a spectacular autumn display. Keep them hydrated to enjoy their abundant blooms.
   
   
3. Viola
   Violas thrive in outdoor gardens and containers. They offer both edible flowers and leaves. They happily bask in the sunlight and cooler temperatures. Provide good drainage for these delightful little flowers.
   
   
4. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
   
   Chrysanthemums can be planted in gardens, containers, or displayed in vases. Mums define autumn like no other flower. Most varieties flower for 4-8 weeks. Prune the spent blooms to encourage fresh growth.
   
   
5. Pansy
   
   Pansies can be planted in balconies, gardens, or containers. Pansies are resilient and colorful and bloom throughout fall and winter. Place them where they soak up golden rays. 

Remember, autumn flowers need a little extra care as the weather changes are in transition. Whether you’re tending to a balcony garden, a backyard oasis, or a vase on your dining table, just a little effort in right direction can help you enhance the longevity of autumn flowers!