Stunted growth: As enzyme activity decreases in cold weather, plants will grow more slowly or stop growing altogether.Speckled or blotched leaves: common in lettuce, cabbage, and spinach, the leaves develop brown or black spots, often surrounded by a yellow halo.Dead, water-soaked tissue: common in pepper, turnip, and tomato plants, the organism’s tissues appear water soaked and then turn brown or black as they die.Leaf curl: When the water inside plant cells freezes, it causes the cells to rupture and the leaves to curl up.Wilting: Due to high transpiration, plants will lose water faster in cold weather, resulting in dehydration and wilting.Some common symptoms of cold damage include: Find out how long your vegetable plants can be exposed to dark without being damaged: How Many Hours of Dark Do Plants Typically Need? Symptoms of Cold Damage on Vegetable PlantsĬold-damaged plants exhibit different symptoms depending on the plant type and severity of the damage. In addition to the cold, lack of light can damage plants. This can be devastating for gardeners who have spent months carefully nurturing their seedlings. Exposure to temperatures below 40 ☏ (4.4 ☌) can easily kill young plants, as they have not had time to develop a strong root system. Young plants and seedlings are much more vulnerable to cold damage than mature plants. This can lead to dehydration and, ultimately, the death of the plant. When the air is dry and cold, transpiration increases, causing the plant to lose water faster than it can replace it. This is called desiccation, which occurs due to transpiration when water vapor escapes from the leaves. DesiccationĬold weather can also cause plants to lose water faster than they can take it in. When exposed to cold temperatures, plant enzyme activity decreases, which can stunt growth and cause the plant to become less resilient. Plant enzymes are responsible for many important functions, including breaking down nutrients, producing new cells, and repairing damaged cells. This results in a smaller harvest and can be a major setback for gardeners. The flowers wilt and turn brown, and the plant may stop producing fruit altogether. When temperatures dip below freezing, delicate blooms on vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants can be damaged. The leaves also curl up and become brittle, making them more susceptible to breakage. This results in burned or blackened foliage, which can be unsightly and damage the plant’s natural processes. Once they freeze, the cells rupture, causing permanent damage. When exposed to cold temperatures, the water inside plant cells can freeze. Negative Effects of Cold Weather on VegetablesĬold weather can have several negative effects on vegetables.
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