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Can annuals be forced into dormancy?

17 years ago

I have a number of containers planted with a variety of annuals. I have always let them die with the first frost, and then spend lots of money the next year on fresh plants. Is there any way to force annuals into dormancy for the winter? I don't have room to bring them inside the house and nurse them all winter. Can I dig them up and put them in cold storage (40 - 60 degrees throughout the winter) in boxes for the winter like you would for cannas?

I have some salvia, mini petunias, coleus, dachsia, annual grasses, and many things I have no idea what they are. My containers themselves are too big to move around, so I will have to dig up the plants.

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Comments (5)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Do you mean can you dig them up, shake off the soil, remove the foliage, and stick them in a box with dry peat moss for the duration of the winter? No, you cannot do that.
buddingearth
Original Author
17 years ago
Is there anything I can do to save my annuals? I don't have the space to bring them into the house. Can I keep them potted with soil and foliage on them? Any advice is appreciated.
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Josh
17 years ago
If you have a windowsill you have room for Coleus in bottles of water. Just take cuttings 8 to 10" long. Keep bottle filled. Next spring cut off tops of Coleus and start in pots of moist soil.

Your grasses can be cut and made into nice dried arrangement. Can you save some seeds from grasses for planting next year? I don't think there is any way to save the roots.

Your other annual flowers you may want to press between the pages of old telephone book...visit the Dried Flower Forum for ideas. The roots will die but your dried flowers can be fun to play around with on a rainy day. Also you may be able to harvest seeds for next year. I think there is a Seeds Forum. Josh
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years ago
I think you are confusing annuals with tender perennials. Annuals live from seed germination to seed dispersal in one growing season. Tender perennials if you dig them early enough for them to establish in pots before they are frosted, the pots you may be able to keep over if you have a good place to keep them. Al
hopflower
17 years ago
No, annuals mean just that: they complete their life cycle in one year. Once the season is over, they die. Then you have to replant or reseed. Sometimes they will reseed themselves, and come back again as new plants the next year in mild areas. Most do not.

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