Winter woes

[Mike C]

First casualty Mam huitzipochtli - and it was a decent one too.Must be positive - it leaves a space for something new.

Also found some mealy bug on a Haworthia - first sign of them in 7 years.

Mike.

[Ross M]

That's a shame Mike. Fortunately only one for me so far this winter, a young plant of Frailea mammifera 'robusta' GF616.

Fingers crossed for the rest of the winter!

[IanW]

I've luckily had nothing go yet, even all my cacties outside (3 T. terschekii, 2 T. pasacana, 4 C. strausii, 5 E. triglochidiatus and a bunch of different opuntia). I don't expect too much trouble in the greenhouse as I'm keeping it in the 10C+ range.

[iann]

Did it freeze or rot? How cold?

[Jeff S]

That's an early loss Mike.My winter losses are usually at the beginning of spring.I know that sounds stupid,but you know what I mean.

[Peter]

Yes - beginners will learn that some plants won't bother to start up again in Spring and will turn up their toes. Grit your teeth time!

[Thord]

Well,I don´t suffer many losses during the winter (around 5C),it´s more of losses all year round.Some are shortlived species,some others-I haven´t a clue!:bangh:

[matchat]

I have just discovered that my only Astrophytum capricorne seedling has shrivelled away to nothing, as has a Turb seedling. Everything else looks to be quite happy for the time being.

[CactusGraham]

As I don't pamper my plants with any heat at all (the last few nights they have just been covered with newspaper) I'm happy to report that despite temperatures of -2 I have only lost one seedling Gymnocactus beguinii "senilis" so far. All of the seedlings from my March sowing this year are out on the bench in quarter trays and look fine. This is my normal method and I don't have that many casualties. It helps, of course if you choose varieties that are going to be able to stand these conditions. Being a thrifty Yorkshireman means I can spend the money I save on heating on seeds instead.

[iann]

No visible casualties from the cold yet. I'll offer Notocactus roseoluteus as my big surprise of this winter. -7C and still firm in its pot. Maybe its hasn't thawed out yet Several Copiapoa species down to -3C and still OK.