Winter losses or damage

For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation and exhibition of cacti & other succulents.
Forum rules
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.

Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
Eric Williams
BCSS Member
Posts: 2315
https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
Joined: 13 Feb 2009
Branch: SOUTH WALES
Country: UK

Winter losses or damage

Post by Eric Williams »

Hi all, just wondered how many of our plants on average are lost due to severe Winter weather, and what percentage of the collection. Cheers
Mike
BCSS Member
Posts: 1119
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Branch: WILTSHIRE
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Member

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by Mike »

Eric, I guess that depends on how adventurous we are with trying to grow plants less than 100% suitable for the conditions we have available! And perhaps how inbred and preternaturally 'weak' they are, but that's maybe another thread! And there are sometimes plants that seem to just decide they've had enough, regardless.

Overall I expect to lose just a few each winter (or with caudiciform plants that refuse to come out of dormancy next summer). Perhaps more challenging are plants that 'mark' in cold conditions, and look poor for a long while afterwards.

I have two mature Matucanas that I failed to move in time to relative warmth this winter - now covered in yellow across the top. The challenge now of course is whether to keep them or not!

Mike
Based in Wiltshire and growing a mix of cacti and succulents.
brianc
BCSS Member
Posts: 116
Joined: 23 Oct 2013
Branch: CHELMSFORD
Country: england
Role within the BCSS: Branch Treasurer

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by brianc »

Hi Eric,
I tend not to lose any plants through the winter, our winters in this part of the country are very mild.
Alot of my plants are 20 years plus so they are well mature, believe or not but i spend at least 1hr every
day with my plants so i tend to see anything thats not right.
Every 3 weeks i check the whole collection takes me about 4 hours, i only line the sides of the g/house
mainly to keep the plants off the glass,i heat to about 40degrees .
Some of the plants i water a little such as adros haworthias and some echeverias. the early spring concerns
me more as i start to water the whole collection, i find cacti more trouble to start up than succulents,
i start with a very quick watering ,i always water my whole collection from below.
My wife says i need to get out more but i love my plants even the one Lithop in my collection.
User avatar
habanerocat
BCSS Member
Posts: 1012
Joined: 02 Jun 2012
Branch: DUBLIN
Country: Mid-West Ireland
Role within the BCSS: Member
Location: Ireland

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by habanerocat »

I bought some plants in ELK this last Autumn.

ELK is very late in the year to try get plants re-potted and established before winter.
Bound to be some losses. I lost two sulcos.
User avatar
Phil_SK
Moderator
Posts: 5442
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Forum Moderator
Location: Stockport, UK

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by Phil_SK »

I would expect to lose maybe a quarter to a half of a percent in a typical winter.
Phil Crewe, BCSS 38143. Mostly S. American cacti, esp. Lobivia, Sulcorebutia and little Opuntia
User avatar
Bill
Posts: 8524
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Branch: None
Country: Wales
Location: Pwllheli North Wales

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by Bill »

I see winter losses not as losses but opportunities, its natural selection freeing up space for something else. :lol:

Bill
_______________________________________________________________________________
Haworthiad Editor

Mainly Haworthia and Gasteria, a few other South African succulents and the odd spiky thing.
User avatar
RAYWOODBRIDGE
BCSS Member
Posts: 1134
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Branch: None
Country: United Kingdom
Role within the BCSS: Member
Location: North West England
Contact:

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by RAYWOODBRIDGE »

As Mike says some plants just go for no reason.
Yesterday I went into the cold greenhouse only to find an Oreocereus ritteri gone, while next to it were two others of the same species and sowing some 7 years ago and they are fine.
Most plants in that house are well shriveled but fine, the tender plants go into the front porch, which is heated with the house, and the in between plants ( 5c down to 0c ) go up into a loft room, cool but dry and they do well and even start bud formation for the following year.
I find the worst time of year for any losses is late winter /early spring if we are tempted to water too early, so nowadays for me first watering is late March / April depending on the weather.
Ray

BCSS member 50155
DKG member 311605
Echinocereenfreund member 100

Cactus only collection mainly from seed.
User avatar
anders
Registered Guest
Posts: 925
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Branch: None
Country: Sweden
Location: Uppsala, Sweden

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by anders »

Between 0 and 1 %.
User avatar
daniel82
BCSS Member
Posts: 275
Joined: 29 Sep 2014
Branch: CAMBRIDGE
Country: England
Role within the BCSS: Member

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by daniel82 »

I've lost an old frailea and an escobaria this winter which is maybe 0.5% of my collection.
Herts Mike
BCSS Member
Posts: 4303
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Branch: LEA VALLEY
Country: Uk

Re: Winter losses or damage

Post by Herts Mike »

Specialising in Stapeliads there will always be losses - goes with the territory.
Post Reply