Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
- Peterthecactusguy
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:49 am
- Location: Black Canyon City, Arizona
- Peterthecactusguy
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:49 am
- Location: Black Canyon City, Arizona
I barely have memories of such a severe Winter here! Such a thick snow cover, layer over layer (>40 cm now, drifts and snow piles over 1 m in places), for weeks and temperatures in 2 digits below 0 for several days…
Since my first post in this topic, we had just one day with daily max. +5 °C and another with +2 for a few hours. Right now it is -10 and dropping. Another week with down to -20 is coming.
If my test plants survive this Winter, I can't imagine anything else they could not pass through.
Since my first post in this topic, we had just one day with daily max. +5 °C and another with +2 for a few hours. Right now it is -10 and dropping. Another week with down to -20 is coming.
If my test plants survive this Winter, I can't imagine anything else they could not pass through.
Cheers, Andrey
- Peterthecactusguy
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:49 am
- Location: Black Canyon City, Arizona
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
and from what I was reading the cold won't lift for a few more weeks. I feel really bad for the people in Europe who are dealing with the severe cold. I think 1944 was the last time it was this cold in Europe. From what I remember from military shows the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 was pretty cold.
Here's to you, all you insidious creatures of green..er I mean cacti.
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
Peterthecactusguy, thanks for the compassion!
A picture of my backyard taken Feb. 8:
The only 2 plants still visible (right of the dead tree trunk) above the snow cover are the tops of 2 Euphorbia lathyris. Now they're also beneath the snow (another 10+ cm of snow since then)… To the left of the trunk somewhere are my Opuntia-s, which I don't worry about.
I have memories of such winter periods in the late 70's and early 80's (I'm born in 1970), but not that long, snowy, and cold…
A picture of my backyard taken Feb. 8:
The only 2 plants still visible (right of the dead tree trunk) above the snow cover are the tops of 2 Euphorbia lathyris. Now they're also beneath the snow (another 10+ cm of snow since then)… To the left of the trunk somewhere are my Opuntia-s, which I don't worry about.
I have memories of such winter periods in the late 70's and early 80's (I'm born in 1970), but not that long, snowy, and cold…
Cheers, Andrey
- Peterthecactusguy
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:49 am
- Location: Black Canyon City, Arizona
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
no problem. We all have our problems in our necks of the woods. In 2010 we had some really severe flooding here in Arizona. Parts of Europe (like Rome, Italy) are getting snow. I am pretty sure they aren't used to it there. Weather patterns are interesting. We will have to keep our eyes to the skies. I think that if we look through the cycles of weather it would be interesting to compare todays weather with weather a few hundred years ago. Bet that it wouldn't be all that different.
BTW poor plants. I don't know what mine would do if it snowed here again. (I'd probably lose some saguaros from the snow)
BTW poor plants. I don't know what mine would do if it snowed here again. (I'd probably lose some saguaros from the snow)
Here's to you, all you insidious creatures of green..er I mean cacti.
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
A 4-th consecutive day with small "+" numbers during the day and small "-" numbers at night. Sunny from time to time…
A perfect time for all Pediocactus to have their first water shot! And they got it today.
Here are all the participants in 2012 Winter's frost test (-20 °C):
Pediocactus knowltonii SB304
Pediocactus simpsonii var. minor
Pediocactus paradinei SB502
Pediocactus nigrispinus HK1203
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus SB571
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. fickeisenii RP145
Pediocactus simpsonii var. simpsonii RP110
Pediocactus bradyi ssp. winklerii RP102
Pediocactus sileri SB1872
Sclerocactus mesae-verdae SB303
Echinocereus fendleri SB51
(Could somebody rectify the name? To me the plant is much more similar to engelmannii).
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (1)
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (2)
Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. chloranthus
Echinocereus nicholii (1)
Echinocereus nicholii (2)
Escobaria sneedii ssp. sneedii var. sneedii
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. similis
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. missouriensis
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (1)
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (2)
Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus and var. inermis
All participants together.
I apologize for the poor images quality, but I had to use my phone (still didn't get a camera).
A perfect time for all Pediocactus to have their first water shot! And they got it today.
Here are all the participants in 2012 Winter's frost test (-20 °C):
Pediocactus knowltonii SB304
Pediocactus simpsonii var. minor
Pediocactus paradinei SB502
Pediocactus nigrispinus HK1203
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus SB571
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. fickeisenii RP145
Pediocactus simpsonii var. simpsonii RP110
Pediocactus bradyi ssp. winklerii RP102
Pediocactus sileri SB1872
Sclerocactus mesae-verdae SB303
Echinocereus fendleri SB51
(Could somebody rectify the name? To me the plant is much more similar to engelmannii).
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (1)
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (2)
Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. chloranthus
Echinocereus nicholii (1)
Echinocereus nicholii (2)
Escobaria sneedii ssp. sneedii var. sneedii
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. similis
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. missouriensis
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (1)
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (2)
Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus and var. inermis
All participants together.
I apologize for the poor images quality, but I had to use my phone (still didn't get a camera).
Cheers, Andrey
- hoteidoc
- Posts: 2136
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:56 pm
- Location: Finger Lakes region, NY Zone 6b
- Contact:
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
Great post, Exotica! If I'm reading you correctly, these guys are outdoors? Sorry for your cold & snow (I assure you, been there!). The good news is -- the snow! They should do great with all the snow (if dry)! I'm trying growing many of these in upstate NY. We've had mostly gray, 25 - 35f, with frequent snow & rain -- since Nov . Last summer we had a mini-drought & they were in they're glory! Am anticipating heavy loses because "well-drained" bed -- even covered with large pots -- is no match for long wet cold. Established Opuntia will do fine! Hope you're staying warm !
Once bitten by the cactus collecting/growing bug, there is no known cure!
There's no 12 step programme for Cactaholics...so I shall just have to get some more!!
There's no 12 step programme for Cactaholics...so I shall just have to get some more!!
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
hoteidoc, thanks for chiming in! These guys are outdoors, but under shelter October to February. Autumn and early Winter here is too wet and they wouldn't do without protection. The "shelter" is a sheet of PE, open 2 sides to ensure ventilation. I do not let a snow cover to form over the PE sheet - (1) I want them exposed to as much light as possible, and (2) I want them get all the cold. However, I covered them with a woolen blanket in the coldest nights as I feared for some of them (we rarely get temperatures below -15 °C, but it has been an exceptional Winter).
Cheers, Andrey
- hoteidoc
- Posts: 2136
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:56 pm
- Location: Finger Lakes region, NY Zone 6b
- Contact:
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
Shelters are a must -- next year! Gravel first this Summer. As you said - this has been an unusual winter - for this area, too! But then I never would have had the thought "Cactus" in my head if weather was what it was 30 yrs ago! Lots of inspiration from all the different forums from people who won't listen to "can't" . I never would have seen the picture of a Yucca rostrata in someone's front yard in Saskatoon, Sasketchewan., Canada!
Once bitten by the cactus collecting/growing bug, there is no known cure!
There's no 12 step programme for Cactaholics...so I shall just have to get some more!!
There's no 12 step programme for Cactaholics...so I shall just have to get some more!!
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
I would consider the test successful.
The images below show side by side the plants before their first soak and a month later.
Pedio- and Sclerocactus got their watering on 19.02.2012, and the rest a week later (25.02.2012).
The latest images are from 24.03.2012.
All plants have been kept wet ever since their first watering and exposed to the open air and direct sun. Nights have been in the single digits below freezing for at least 3 weeks after watering (the plants got also a snow cover for a day). The day temperatures have been gradually rising from mid 10-s to over 20°C, reaching 39°C at direct sunlight (not the air temperature, of course ).
As expected, the 2 varieties of Tephrocactus articulatus got severe damage. All last years segments are white and mummified; there is rot on 2 of them. However the basal segments still look alive and there are 2 segments that fall off on the soil that look fine.
The other problematic plant so far is fickeiseniorum. It is the only one that didn't take any water and worse, it is shrinking. A close inspection of the stem didn't show any signs of damage or disease, but a healthy epidermis. The upper parts of the few roots I was able to reveal below the top layer of soil look white and healthy, so I'm puzzled what might be happening. I will need to take it out for a complete inspection for sure.
There are flower buds already on some of the birst-growers - mesae-verdae will make me happy with 4 buds this year, knowltonii with at least 3, and there is already a new pup forming at the base. simpsonii var. minor threw away its buds in the same manner as last year - I don't know why. simpsonii var. simpsonii has 1 bud and looks like it will make it. paradinei has also at least 1 bud, but he was the last one to show signs, so in another week I will be more certain.
I'm very happy about Echinocereus nicholii. I didn't really expect them to pass the test, but they did, and oh, what a come back! No damage at all and in full growth already!
I'm also happy about Pediocactus sileri - there is a new areole forming! It was one of my greatest concerns.
The youngest participants - missuouriensis - barely 2 years old, inflated and in full growth already.
Excuse me, I'm not a good photographer - the zoom and angle of the images before and now differs, the quality is poor, but I hope some day I'll get my hands on it.
Pediocactus knowltonii SB304
Pediocactus simpsonii var. minor
Pediocactus paradinei SB502
Pediocactus nigrispinus HK1203
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus SB571
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. fickeiseniorum RP145
Pediocactus simpsonii var. simpsonii RP110
Pediocactus bradyi ssp. winklerii RP102
Pediocactus sileri SB1872
Sclerocactus mesae-verdae SB303
Echinocereus fendleri SB51
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (1)
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (2)
Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. chloranthus
Echinocereus nicholii (1)
Echinocereus nicholii (2)
Escobaria sneedii ssp. sneedii var. sneedii
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. similis
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. missouriensis
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (1)
(my stupid cat made a toy of this one, so its survival is in question )
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (2)
Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus and var. inermis
All participants together (23.03.2012).
The images below show side by side the plants before their first soak and a month later.
Pedio- and Sclerocactus got their watering on 19.02.2012, and the rest a week later (25.02.2012).
The latest images are from 24.03.2012.
All plants have been kept wet ever since their first watering and exposed to the open air and direct sun. Nights have been in the single digits below freezing for at least 3 weeks after watering (the plants got also a snow cover for a day). The day temperatures have been gradually rising from mid 10-s to over 20°C, reaching 39°C at direct sunlight (not the air temperature, of course ).
As expected, the 2 varieties of Tephrocactus articulatus got severe damage. All last years segments are white and mummified; there is rot on 2 of them. However the basal segments still look alive and there are 2 segments that fall off on the soil that look fine.
The other problematic plant so far is fickeiseniorum. It is the only one that didn't take any water and worse, it is shrinking. A close inspection of the stem didn't show any signs of damage or disease, but a healthy epidermis. The upper parts of the few roots I was able to reveal below the top layer of soil look white and healthy, so I'm puzzled what might be happening. I will need to take it out for a complete inspection for sure.
There are flower buds already on some of the birst-growers - mesae-verdae will make me happy with 4 buds this year, knowltonii with at least 3, and there is already a new pup forming at the base. simpsonii var. minor threw away its buds in the same manner as last year - I don't know why. simpsonii var. simpsonii has 1 bud and looks like it will make it. paradinei has also at least 1 bud, but he was the last one to show signs, so in another week I will be more certain.
I'm very happy about Echinocereus nicholii. I didn't really expect them to pass the test, but they did, and oh, what a come back! No damage at all and in full growth already!
I'm also happy about Pediocactus sileri - there is a new areole forming! It was one of my greatest concerns.
The youngest participants - missuouriensis - barely 2 years old, inflated and in full growth already.
Excuse me, I'm not a good photographer - the zoom and angle of the images before and now differs, the quality is poor, but I hope some day I'll get my hands on it.
Pediocactus knowltonii SB304
Pediocactus simpsonii var. minor
Pediocactus paradinei SB502
Pediocactus nigrispinus HK1203
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus SB571
Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. fickeiseniorum RP145
Pediocactus simpsonii var. simpsonii RP110
Pediocactus bradyi ssp. winklerii RP102
Pediocactus sileri SB1872
Sclerocactus mesae-verdae SB303
Echinocereus fendleri SB51
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (1)
Echinocereus triglochidiatus SB104 (2)
Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. chloranthus
Echinocereus nicholii (1)
Echinocereus nicholii (2)
Escobaria sneedii ssp. sneedii var. sneedii
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. similis
Escobaria missouriensis ssp. missouriensis var. missouriensis
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (1)
(my stupid cat made a toy of this one, so its survival is in question )
Escobaria vivipara var. neomexicana SB129 (2)
Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus and var. inermis
All participants together (23.03.2012).
Cheers, Andrey
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
wonderful stuff, great info and a real testament to your growing skills. Looking forward to flower pics!
peterb
peterb
Zone 9
Re: Can they take -23 °C at night for a few days?
I agree - very good info. Happy to see that overall you had success with these.
All Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are Cacti