Haller's Corydalis, or dense-Corydalis halleri Wild.= Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv.
European look. In Russia it is found throughout the European part, except for the most northern regions. Grows in light forests, in clearings and forest edges, on humus and non-turf soil; disappears as the grass cover develops, especially from rhizomatous herbs. It spreads with the help of ants that take away the seeds. Like other ephemeroids, the shoot is fully formed in the fall, overwinters under the cover of a scale-like leaf, and grows back in the spring at the first opportunity. Corydalis dense is found on moderately moist soils of various mechanical compositions; it is a very light-loving plant. For normal photosynthetic productivity, illumination of more than 50% of full light is required.
A perennial with a small dense tuber up to 1.5 cm in diameter, at the base of the stem with a scale-like leaf, in the axil of which a shoot can develop. The stem is 10-25 cm high, with two petiolate leaves with double or triple trifoliate blades; segments on long petioles, incised almost to the base into linear-oblong, slightly wedge-shaped lobes; sometimes the lobes are entire or have 2-4 blunt teeth at the apex. The flower raceme is quite dense, cylindrical. The bracts are wedge-obovate, incised in front into linear lobes or jagged. The sepals are very small and inconspicuous. The corolla is pink-violet, up to 20 mm long. The stigma is disc-shaped, finely warty-toothed along the edge. The capsule is oblong, 10-12 mm long, drooping. Blooms in April-May; the seeds ripen in May. Winter-hardy without shelter.
The dense corydalis enters the generative state in the 4th-6th year. It blooms in April and blooms for two weeks. The beginning of the spring growing season can occur with significant fluctuations in soil and air temperatures. The flowers are fragrant, contain a lot of nectar, and are pollinated by bumblebees and butterflies. The seeds ripen in the second half of May. At the same time, massive yellowing of the leaves is observed. The duration of the assimilation period is 3-5 weeks.
Famous lines: " Bes Evans "("Beth Evans") - soft pink with a white spur, " Prasil Strain " ("Prasil Strain") - varies from red to salmon and pink.
The most popular and old variety, existing in a number of clones, is the Romanian " George Baker "("George Baker") with cherry, almost red flowers, which began to be bred by the famous Dutch company van Tubergen in 1925. Other clone varieties: pale pink " Dieter Schacht "("Dieter Schacht"), " Highland Mist "("Highland Mist") - smoky bluish pink, " Munich Form "("Munich Form") - coral red, " Nettleton Pink "("Nettleton Pink") - a powerful hot pink." Kissproof "("Kissproof") - white with pinkish "lips", selected from a natural colony and, possibly, reproduced by seeds. Less common varieties may be offered in catalogs - the result of selection by small nurseries that collected material in different geographical areas.
Dymyankaceae family. Germinating in the still bare April forest, in mid-June the corydalis is no longer found. More than 200 species are native to the Himalayas and China. In general, the range covers vast temperate latitudes and the most common, including in our forests, are considered to be three varieties: dense, hollow and Marshall's corydalis.
General characteristics of the species
The plant is a tuberous ephemeroid, therefore it is characterized by rapid germination, early ripening of fruits and complete death of aerial parts. Vital supply nutrients accumulates in tubers, due to which vegetation resumes the next favorable period year.
And now general description flower. Corydalis differs both in external characteristics and in its structure. The plant is characterized by a low, fleshy stem 15 to 25 centimeters long and twice or thrice dissected leaves. The foliage is rich, and the inflorescences are arranged on top of it in bright, loose clusters. The sepals are almost invisible. Each individual corydalis flower has elongated shape base and consists of four small petals, with the ends of the upper and lower petals slightly curled outward. Each flower has one or two small leaves - bracts. In different places you can find yellow, pink, purple, blue, and white corydalis.
The corydalis flower and varieties of this plant are excellent honey plants, in the spurs of which a lot of sweet nectar accumulates. True, only insects with long proboscis, such as bumblebees, can get it. The ripe fruit of the plant is a dry capsule, shaped like a pod, in which seeds are formed. They are quite large, black, with a shiny surface and a succulent white appendage - a real delicacy that collects seeds and plays a big role in the spread of the species.
So why is the corydalis so interesting? Description, useful properties, application of this perennial plant we'll look at it next.
Description of the plant
Corydalis form lush bushes with numerous foliage, and during flowering bright inflorescences, like candles, rise above the green blanket. Tubers are a rounded root that has grown in width, in which, with age, peculiar hollow holes are formed. Every year, a young tuber is formed inside the old one, which turns into its shell.
External description of the flower: the corydalis has a low stem with several light scale-like leaves at the base; dense green or bluish dissected foliage; clusters of flowers are located at the very tops of the stems; irregular, but graceful four-petaled flower, elongated in length.
If you look closely, you will notice that the two fused inner petals protrude slightly forward, like a nose, sticking out between the curled outer ones. The flowering period of corydalis occurs at the end of April and beginning of May, and by mid-June the flowers, stem and leaves completely die off.
Habitats of the corydalis
The favorite habitats of this plant are semi-shaded areas of deciduous forests that do not have a dense canopy of grass and shrubs. The plant needs sunlight in order to have time to start and go through the full growing season cycle, so corydalis make the most of spring period, when the grass had not yet risen high, and the forest trees had not yet blossomed their thick green foliage.
Features of the growing season
The tuberous ephemeroid corydalis (many people are so interested in the description of the plant and its care) develops quite quickly. Exactly spectacular decorative look plants attract the attention of gardeners. Therefore, you should know the main features of its growing season: after the seeds are scattered and the above-ground part dies off, only the corydalis tuber, hidden deep in the ground, remains alive and awaits the onset of next spring; new life will originate from a large renewal bud, which forms at the top of the tuber and by March will approach the very surface of the soil so that with the first warmth it will immediately give rise to a young shoot.
Origin of the name
Everyone knows that the corydalis is a flower. The description for children, as well as for adults, is based on associations: the unusual shape of the flowers resembles the crest of a bird, which is where the name of the plant comes from. National names inherent in different nations are also close in meaning.
It is generally accepted that the scientific name of this genus comes from the ancient Greek word “koribalos”, after the name According to one of the ancient legends, spring larks had a strong quarrel among themselves and started a big fight. And the birds fought so fiercely that they tore each other's forelocks and spurs, which, falling on the forest ground, sprouted beautiful flowers corydalis.
Here you have the fabulous corydalis flower. There is a description of why it was called that in German culture. There the plant is called "lark's spur." There is also an ancient Slavic legend about the origin of the name of the flower. According to her, every night the old witch flew around the property on a broomstick, and at dawn she returned to her forest hut to sleep and rest. But as soon as she had just dozed off, the rooster crowed to greet the dawn, not allowing the old woman to sleep. Then the angry witch turned him into a silent corydalis flower. Because of this, people use other names for the plant: “cockerels” or “hens”.
Caring for corydalis
The corydalis plant is very unpretentious for cultivation. Description, reproduction, care spectacular flowers Let's look at the examples of those varieties that grow well in central Russia: hollow, smoke-leaved, Caucasian, Magadan, low, narrow-leaved, Marshall, Bush, Kuznetsov, etc. They decorate gardens, flower beds and flower beds.
Forest and Caucasian species, including dense corydalis, the description of which has much in common, is planted in shade and partial shade deciduous trees. Large tubers are usually buried to a depth of 10-15 centimeters, and small ones - to a depth of 5-7 centimeters. Corydalis love humus-rich, loose sandy loam (for forest species) and heavy clay (for Asian species) soils.
Asian species prefer well-lit hillocks, and in the case of a damp summer, the tubers during the dormant period (from mid-June) can be dried for a month.
Reproduction of Corydalis
The description of the corydalis flower assumes familiarity with the reproductive characteristics of this plant. All transplanting operations are carried out both during the rest period and at the very peak of flowering (the stem along with a lump of earth): in one case it is absolutely safe, although it is difficult to find small tubers in the ground, and in another case it is convenient, since the shoots are clearly visible .
Corydalis reproduces by seeds, although some species, such as Busha and Cashmere, can form small by-product tubers. The seeds do not store for a long time, so they should be sown immediately after collection. Flowering will occur only in the 3-4th year.
Application of corydalis
Bright multi-colored corydalis look great on stone pavements, surrounded by crocuses, tulips, snowdrops, and hosta. They are also an integral part of the colorful compositions of flower beds, park lawns and decorative flower beds.
Due to the high content of alkaloids, the plant is used in medicine and pharmacology. Drugs based on it remove muscle tone, have a sedative effect on nervous system, dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. And yet, different types of corydalis are of greatest interest as ornamental garden crops.
I don’t understand why these lovely flowers are so little known and rarely found in our gardens. They are so unobtrusive and uncapricious that sometimes you want to blame them for this.
Corydalis has species and varieties, many of which grow in the middle zone, and we have practically never heard of them. Let's improve and get to know each other - they are worth it.
Translations from scientific Corydalis and folk have a “bird” root - crested lark, cockerels, hens.
General description
Corydalis differ by species into rhizomatous and tuberous, and by habitat into forest, tundra and alpine. Currently there are also hybrid varieties for growing in summer cottages.
As a rule, these are low, up to 25 - 30 cm perennials, mainly tuberous.
Bushes with lacy dissected leaves of a greenish-bluish tint. Flowers of different colors, up to 4 cm long, consist of 4 petals, the top of which has the appearance of a spur. The color of the inside of the flower - the pharynx - is slightly different from the outside. The inflorescence is racemose, the number of flowers in it depends on the species and variety. Each flower has a small leaf - a bract (a flower emerges from its axil).
After flowering, pod-shaped boxes with seeds are formed. Sprinkling onto the soil, they sprout in the spring.
This is a good honey plant with a delicate aroma, pollinated by bumblebees.
Other common names are koridalis, ryast.
Corydalis flower, photo:
Common varieties
First of all, it is worth considering forest Corydalis species with a short growing season, that is, related to ephemeroids, like many primroses. They use the time when in the spring the deciduous forest does not yet provide shade. From April to the end of June they have time to bloom, produce offspring and disappear, leaving renewal buds on the nodules underground.
In our middle zone, these are dense corydalis or Haller, Marshall and hollow corydalis (Corydalis cava). All grow from yellow nodules up to 2-3 cm in diameter.
Ryasty forest varieties It is preferable to plant in lightly shady areas, as they require less, if not none, care. These also include Bush's corydalis, Caucasian and others.
Requires more attention alpine species. Of these, the most unpretentious are Kashmir, Darwaz and Holostalk. In landscape design, they are allocated elevated places, for example, on an alpine hill with good drainage without stagnant water. Their natural habitats are rocky mountain slopes and screes.
Photo of Kashmiri coridalis:
Only in the Kashmir and Bush corydalis, by autumn, “babies” are formed on the side surface of the tuber - small nodules of up to 8 pieces on each.
Features of rhizomatous corydalis
The most interesting of the “bird” family. They have small rhizomes, which are enough for growing season throughout the season. Flowering lasts for the same amount of time. This is a real treasure - a godsend for the lazy gardener.
Three species are known.
Corydalis yellow(corydalis lutea) - its great advantage is that flowering begins in early summer and continues until September! Grows on the edges of forests Western Europe, gives self-seeding. Adapts well and grows in garden plots with light shade.
What does the yellow corydalis look like? — Look at the photo: low, 30-35 cm, with openwork foliage, a rounded bush, looks elegant even without flowers. Greens give off a blue tint, especially with reverse side; Against this background, small inflorescences begin to appear by the beginning of June. There are a huge number of buds. The number and size (up to 2 cm) of bells on the hand is inferior to forest bells, but it looks great.
The yellow corydalis is so small, modest, and has an amazing property - it “catches the eye” of every guest in your garden.
Sulfur yellow(C. ochroleuca) - lower height, creamy-yellowish flowers, green leaf, strongly dissected. Flowering period May - September.
Corydalis noble tall, up to 60 cm. Petals are light yellow, with an orange spot in the center. The flower cluster is dense and beautiful, but the flowering period is May - end of June. Grows in Altai, forms powerful bushes.
Unlike ephemeroids, rhizomatous corydalis will not disappear in the middle of summer, when tuberous species and varieties go into retirement, there is no need to rack your brains with what to fill empty space.
Of the rhizomatous plants, I have only seen the yellow one on sale; I already have it growing.
I advise you to get to know each other better interesting flower, invite me to your garden, you won’t regret it!
Numerous herbaceous genus Corydalis (lat. Corydalis) belongs to the subfamily Fumariaceae, which is part of the Poppy family (lat. Papaveraceae). Representatives of the genus feel great in temperate climate Northern Hemisphere. Scientific name"Corýdalis" comes from the Greek word "cons" - helmet, which refers to the characteristic shape of the flower. The plant is popularly called “corydalis”.
Biological features
A wide variety of annual and perennial species Corydalis differ greatly from each other in appearance and mode of existence. There are real grass giants, reaching a height of up to 2 m, with powerful branched root tubers, and there are crumbs, whose height is 5 cm.
Forest fumariaefolia (C. fumariaefolia)
Corydalis belongs to the early spring tuberous ephemeroids. A plant tuber is a rounded root that has spread wide. During spring development, the tuber becomes overgrown with small feeding roots, which dry out during the dormant period. There are two types of tubers:
- Perennial. During the process of growth, this type of root, in addition to increasing in size, also deteriorates a little, becoming hollow, like that of a dense corydalis or Marshall.
- Replaceable. Every year a new tuber begins to grow inside the old one, which becomes its shell, for example, in the Caucasian or dense corydalis.
The supply of nutrients in the tuberous thickenings of the root allows the corydalis to vegetate early spring. Some species have several white or reddish scale-like leaves at the base of the stem that protect the top of the stem from damage. Other leaves, greenish or bluish, doubly or trisyllabic, fern-like.
The plant has racemose inflorescences or single flowers. Each flower is accompanied by a leaflet - a bract. There are four petals. The outer two have bent ends, the upper one creates a long outgrowth at the base - a spur, in which nectar accumulates. The two inner petals are connected together and peek out a little between the outer flaps, like a nose. The fruit is a capsule with a pair of thin valves. The seeds are black, massive, shiny, with a weighty appendage.
Structure of Corydalis dense
Corydalis begin to grow under the snow in March. And already in April, enlarged shoots are visible. The crop blooms at a soil temperature of 3-4°C, flowering lasts about 20 days. After the seeds ripen in early June, the above-ground part disappears. Seed dispersal occurs largely thanks to ants.
Variety of species
The genus includes about 320 species. The largest number, about two hundred, grows in the Himalayas, Western and Central China. Where they are permanent residents of alpine meadows and thrive in the highlands, feeding on moisture from melting glaciers. Ephemeroid corydalis, similar in life cycle, are conventionally divided into categories that differ in environmental requirements that determine the necessary agricultural technology and the use of plant species in floriculture.
For cultivation in central Russia, the most optimal group is with forest species, which includes:
- X. caucasian(lat. S. caucasica). It has a small round tuber, an oblong stem with one scale-like leaf and two openwork leaves, a loose raceme, with 4-10 flowers. Corolla with a diameter of 2-2.6 cm, colors in shades of pink, pink-violet. The spur is blunt, thickened.
- X. tuberous or hollow (lat. C. bulbosa = cava). Height 30 cm. It has a permanent conical tuber, which becomes hollow with age and only two wide but tender leaves, with many divisions into elongated segments. A tall peduncle lifts up a cluster of flowers with solid bracts. The flowers are pinkish-lilac, there are white specimens.
- X. Marshall(lat. S. marschalliana). Similar to tuberous, but the flowers are creamy yellow. When grown together, transitional forms with creamy-white and yellowish-pink inflorescences occur.
Forest corydalis grandiflora or giant
Also included in the forest category are Corydalis: Bush (buschii), smoke-leaved (fumariaefolia), Magadanica (magadanica), Hallera (halleri), etc. They feel great in flower beds where there is shading among tall trees. They love soil rich in leaf humus.
Very interesting group Himalayan corydalis, growing in the highlands, foothills and deserts of Central Asia. Our people call it the Chinese corydalis. But their cultivation, in conditions middle zone, very difficult.
- X. Kashmiri(lat. S. cashmeriana). Several tiny tubers grow near the main tuber. The plant is low with highly arched leaves and pale blue flowers. A rare representative of the Himalayas and Tibet.
- X. darvaz(lat. S. darwasicd). Endowed with an angular, large tuber with a diameter of 5-6 cm. Several stems extend from the tuber. Opposite, bluish leaves with a few divisions are on the ground.
A loose brush holds the flowers on thin stalks. The flowers are curved in an arc, with thin elongated spurs, yellowish and pinkish, dark below. Grows on rocky slopes.
- X. Ledebura(lat. S. ledebouriand). It has a tall peduncle and a pair of squat leaves. The brush is sparse, multi-flowered, the flowers are different in shape and color. The spurs are sharp and thick; color - white, pale yellow, pale pink, with contrasting folds.
Corydalis Shangina (schanginii) - inhabitant of deserts and foothills
This group also includes corydalis: Wilson’s (wilsonii), holostem (nudicaulis), macrocentra (macrocentra), maracandica (maracandica), etc.
Less commonly found in cultivation are annual representatives of the genus: evergreen (sempervirens), impatiens. Not so long ago, corydalis found in the Chinese region of Sichuan began to be cultivated: sinuous (flexuosa), tall (elata).
Photo gallery of species
Growing and care
Forest corydalis with small tubers are placed at a depth of 6-8 cm, large tuberous rhizomes, especially Chinese corydalis, are deepened to 11-14 cm.
The choice of planting site for corydalis and soil preparation depends on the type of plant.
Forest corydalis are kept like snowdrops (in shade and partial shade).
Illuminated areas are suitable for Asian ones. In damp summers, the tubers of such corydalis are dried for a month during the dormant period, and then planted again.
They also have different preferences regarding soil. Loose, organic-rich soils are suitable for forest ephemeroids; heavy clay soils, well-drained, are suitable for Chinese corydalis.
Remember! Corydalis has a lot of advantages: decorative, frost-resistant, blooms in early spring, does not require complex agricultural technology, and simply reproduces.
Extraordinary color Corydalis "Zwanenburg" appreciated by collectors around the world
Today, the Zwanenburg variety is considered the reddest variety of corydalis.
Reproduction
Seeds are the main method of propagation of corydalis. Tuber division is rarely used. Only the Kashmiri and Busha corydalis produce small nodules. Other types of tuber division can be achieved only once in twenty. To reliably increase the number of corydalis plants, two conditions must be adhered to:
- When growing corydalis from seeds, sow them after harvesting. Try not to miss the moment of ripening so that the seeds do not spill out on their own and are not stolen by ants. There are 8-16 seeds in one box.
- Sown seeds and seedlings that appear in spring should not be overdried. Corydalis seeds instantly lose their viability. Sowing should not be delayed for more than a month. You need to sow in pots or boxes.
In some species (H. nobilis, often Skulera and gigantica), in the first year of life only cotyledons grow, narrow and simple; carved leaves grow the next year. The time for planting tortuous seeds needs to be calculated. The seedlings may appear in the fall and freeze.
Forest species can be given the opportunity to sow seeds themselves. Crops bloom in 2-4 years. In nature, tubers are collected after fruiting, when a sufficient amount has accumulated useful substances, and the plant is dormant.
Tuber of Haller's corydalis (C. halleri) dug up in the forest
Wintering
Forest corydalis tolerate the winter of central Russia well. Fallen leaves of trees are not removed: they do not harm the plants at all, and corydalis easily find their way in the spring. Rotted foliage is an excellent fertilizer and helps preserve high humidity in the soil.
Central Asian species do not tolerate climatic conditions middle lane. Therefore, they are wrapped and covered with a twenty-centimeter layer of leaves.
Diseases and pests
Corydalis pests are the same as those of snowdrops: moles, mice, viruses. Diseases are rare and are not a significant threat to the crop.
Beautiful Asian Corydalis Popov (lat. C. popovii) among the stones
Use in landscape design
In parks and gardens, corydalis are used to create large groups and patches of color under the cover of deciduous trees. Asian beauties use them to decorate alpine slides and rockeries. Forest corydalis are placed on hills and in rockeries only in places shaded by trees or tall perennials.
Asian species are planted between beautiful stones, and forest species between gradually growing perennials, so that the corydalis do not leave behind an empty space. With the help of corydalis it is good to imitate a natural corner of nature
The most suitable partners for forest species: Chionodoxa, crocuses, hosta, snowdrops. Central Asian companions: mouse hyacinths, junos, botanical tulips and other ephemeroids growing in dry areas.
The genus Corydalis has approximately 320 species native to the Northern Hemisphere.
It's hard to find more unpretentious plant than corydalis.
Corydalis has a lot of advantages: it is frost-resistant, decorative, not damaged by diseases, blooms in early spring, when there is almost no flowering plants. Corydalis does not require complex agricultural technology, reproduces quite quickly, and has medicinal qualities.
Numerous tuberous corydalis, similar in life cycle, can be divided into groups that differ in environmental requirements that determine the necessary agricultural technology.
The most unpretentious group suitable for the middle zone of our country includes forest species of corydalis: hollow, Bush's Corydalis, Haller's Corydalis, Smoke-leaved Corydalis, Caucasian Corydalis, Grandiflora Corydalis, Kuznetsov's Corydalis, Magadan Corydalis, Malk's Corydalis, Marshall's Corydalis, Low Corydalis, Deceptive Corydalis, Bractal Corydalis, Intermediate Corydalis, spreading patch, angustifolia corydalis.
These corydalis can grow in flower beds in the garden or in the grass among large deciduous trees. Corydalis loves deep, loose sandy loam or clay soils, rich in humus. Stagnation of water must be avoided; overwatering in winter is very harmful. Small tubers need to be buried to a depth of 8 cm, and large tubers - to a depth of 12 cm.
In addition to the tuberous corydalis, represented by a large number of species, there is a group of rhizomatous perennial corydalis: yellow, sulfur-yellow corydalis, and noble corydalis.
Even less common are annuals - evergreen and impatiens corydalis.
More recently, corydalis, found in China, have come into culture. These are Corydalis sinuous, Corydalis tall and closely related.
Conditions for growing corydalis: Tuberous corydalis, like snowdrops, are ephemeroids. Corydalis grow in a wide variety of habitats. Forest species of corydalis use the light time in the life of the forest, when the trees have not yet blossomed, and then fall into dormancy. Corydalis from arid zones hide from drought.
Tundra and alpine corydalis live in the same rhythm with other vegetation of these places. Everyone is in a hurry here, because spring comes late, and winter can come at the very end of summer.
But, having a similar rhythm of life, corydalis differ in their requirements for growing conditions. All species need non-stagnant hydration during active growth, but during dormancy each plant requires what it is accustomed to. Tundra and forest species do not tolerate drought, species of Asian deserts and low mountains need drying, and they do not tolerate wet soil.
Bright light forest species Corydalis is not needed, they feel best in light partial shade, and corydalis of arid habitats do not tolerate shade. Arctic corydalis require good lighting. Their tastes are varied and the composition of the soil is varied. Loose soils are needed by forest species of corydalis, heavy clay soils with good drainage will suit “Asians”, both alpine and low-mountain.
Planting corydalis
Having finished bearing fruit, the tuberous corydalis turn yellow and then dry out, entering a resting phase. Tubers remain in the soil of the plant, which are not afraid of danger - neither constant mowing of the lawn, nor even drought. All operations for transplanting these plants are conveniently performed in this state. But during dormancy, the plant is not always easy to detect.
Therefore, plants can be replanted during the growing season and even at the very peak of flowering. It is better to do this with a lump of earth. You need to know that when transplanting during the growth period, the above-ground part breaks off. In this case, the flower will not die, but enters a dormant phase and will continue its growing season only next year.
In stores, tubers that have entered dormancy appear on sale from August to September. Tubers should be juicy and firm; wrinkled and flabby ones are not suitable for planting.
Diseases and pests of corydalis: pests of corydalis are the same as those of charming snowdrops: moles, mice and viruses. The measures to combat them are the same.
Reproduction of Corydalis
Corydalis mainly reproduces by seeds. Dividing tubers is the exception rather than the rule.
Propagation by seeds is the most reliable way.
Use of corydalis: in parks and gardens to create groups. Asian corydalis are used in alpine roller coaster: They are small and very beautiful. Light-loving corydalis, which do not require watering, leave an empty spot after flowering, and it is better to plant them among beautiful pebbles.
Corydalis partners: hosta, crocuses, snowdrops. Corydalis companions can be mouse hyacinths and tulips.
Forcing corydalis
For forcing, only one species is used - dense corydalis. Large healthy tubers are taken. The pot with the plant must be kept in a cool and dark place at a temperature of 5 °C 9 weeks. In room conditions, the pot can be wrapped in a dark bag and placed in the refrigerator.
Check the pot periodically to ensure it does not dry out. It is very important to comply temperature regime, only under these conditions the plants will begin to bloom. The lighting must be good. Faded plants must be watered until the foliage turns yellow, then stop watering and place the pot in the refrigerator until spring.
