Awakened tulips and blossoming tree buds: What risks do unseasonably warm winters pose to plants, and how can we assist them?

As January keeps setting temperature records, plants have begun to awaken and rise prematurely. Tree buds are unfurling, tulips are sprouting, and pansies are preparing to bloom. What could this "spring" in January mean for flowers and trees? Is there a risk to the harvest for summer cottages?

What could this "spring" in January mean for flowers and trees?

Photo: Mikhail FROLOV. Go to KP Photo Bank

To shed light on this, Vladimir Viktorovich Chub, the director of the Botanical Garden at the Biological Faculty of Moscow State University, professor of plant physiology, and Doctor of Biological Sciences, spoke to "Komsomolskaya Pravda."

- Currently, there is no serious risk for plants. The physiological winter is still ongoing, and as far as we can see, no one is attempting to open their buds and bloom out of season. However, if the warmth persists into February, the physiological winter will end, and plants will want to continue living and blooming. The worst-case scenario is when plants open their buds, and then frost strikes, - says Vladimir Chub.

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Tree buds are unfurling

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. Go to KP Photo Bank

This unpleasant weather scenario could slow down plant growth, and for fruit trees and bushes, it may lead to a lack of harvest.

- There could be other issues with the harvest as well. Snow is not only an insulating material for roots but also a moisture reserve. Currently, the snow has mostly melted. This means moisture has been absorbed into the ground, and spring may arrive with sunny days, where the moisture reserve for plants will not be as substantial as desired, - the biologist continues. - Therefore, summer cottage owners and others may have to engage in active watering.

The most crucial factor for plants is that their life rhythm aligns with the climate rhythm, the expert continues. Thus, abnormal heat in winter can lead to problems, especially for plants in Siberia and the Far East, which are not adapted to thawing spells.

- This year is still normal in terms of anomalous winter warmth, - says the director of the MSU Botanical Garden. - Because there have been years when the Rhododendron was blooming on December 24, which is also known as Bogulnik in folk terms. Last winter, Rhododendrons attempted to open their buds, but then frost hit, resulting in very poor blooming!

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Anomalously warm winter in Moscow

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. Go to KP Photo Bank

The fact that pansies have awakened is absolutely normal, according to the expert. At the latitude of Sochi and Crimea, they can bloom even in winter.

- Tulips also tend to awaken in winter. They, like snowdrops, exhibit what is called "snowdrop growth." This means that even under the snow, the bulb begins to breathe and gently pushes up against the snowdrift with its warmth. In normal years, this is not noticeable because of the snow cover, but it has become apparent this year, - explains Vladimir Chub. - Tulips are slightly ahead of their phase, but they are generally quite resilient; they can withstand frosts down to -10 degrees.

Plants that may suffer more are daffodils and garlic. Subsequent frosts could harm them.

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Begonia has bloomed in Moscow

Photo: Elena POPOVA. Go to KP Photo Bank

- Can gardeners take any precautions for their plantings now to safeguard them for spring and summer?

- They can prophylactically cover them with non-woven material for insulation. However, this insulation must be removed promptly to avoid "suffocating" the plants. Hence, this is labor-intensive and does not guarantee results. We can only hope that nature will spare us, and that February won't bring severe frosts.