Naveen- I do not know where you live in Calif., but I am in Costa Mesa about 5 miles inland from Newport Beach. I personally do not put plants into the ground until after two years. The first year you have a very small root system which is fragile. Late spring of my second year I usually pot up to 5 gallon and late spring of the third year I usually consider planting in ground or pot up to 7 gal if the plant is getting top heavy. If a plant shows inflo development as it comes out of dormancy in March, I transplant then. Fall/winter is not a good time to transplant especially into the ground because the plant is shutting down and there is not enough time to get new roots established and the existing roots are subjected to cold, damp conditions which are the worse. Transplanting a flowering plant may cause it to interrupt or halt flowering until it settles into its new soil. If you have older plants that are being root pruned, I do that in Feb. so that the new root system starts as the plant emerges from dormancy although you can root prune anytime (but if flowering, it will most likely stop) Hope this helps. Bill
Nursery of two year olds in 5 gals and select 3 year olds in wide 7 gals:
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Thanks for the info Bill. I guess I blundered.

We live in the bay area in California.

Should I try and take them indoors or do you think they are pretty much finished at this point?

Naveen

Naveen,
I would dig them up for two reasons. One, to see if the roots or stem have rotted. Second, to get them to a warmer climate.

If the roots or stem have rotted, you can cut them back to clear, white wood; let them sit in a dark place to callus over; and try to root them in spring.

If there are good roots (should be white), gently repot them (the roots are very fragile!) in a fast draining medium and let them sit in a warm, lighted area indoors for the winter. Watch for softening of the stem. It is not unusual for the stem to wrinkle during dormancy, but it should not get squishy.

Mike

As usual, I totally agree with Mike. Also, water them only about once a month and very lightly at that so the roots do not totally dry out. Remember, all is not lost until the stem gets totally squishy and flops over. When you dig up the plant, carefully remove dirt around the base with the dirt sitting on something. Don't hold it up in the air or a sudden drop of some of the dirt can rip away the fragile roots. Bill