When December comes, the garden seems to be asleep. But in fact, conifers are in danger. On clear days, the sun burns the needles, and the wind and frost dry out the roots, which cannot take moisture from the frozen ground. By April, many people notice: the bushes turned red, the needles fell off, and the plant “suddenly died.”
Many people think it's illness or frost, but in fact the cause is dehydration and sunburn. It’s too late to save conifers with chemicals or shelter. But there is a simple and proven method – a protective treatment that works as an “antiperspirant” for plants.
Take an eco-friendly anti-desiccant. You can buy it at a garden center or prepare it from pure paraffin wax and water and spray it evenly over the crown of the thuja or juniper tree. The product creates a thin film that:
- reduces moisture evaporation from needles,
- protects against ultraviolet radiation,
- does not interfere with the plant's breathing.
This should be done in mid-December, on a dry, windless day, when the temperature is not lower than –5°C. One treatment is enough until spring, even after thaws.
And don’t forget to mulch the tree trunk with a layer of bark or spruce branches. This will insulate the roots and retain moisture.
By May you will see: the conifers are juicy, green, without “red” spots.
