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November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:59 pm
by edds
With the first frosts due for many this week, I thought perhaps we could celebrate hardy succulents and cacti that stay outside all year for you.

It could be your favourite one, your most unusual or the most uncommon one or just the most surprising one that is hardy! It doesn't need to have been photographed now, please feel free to post them in summer glory and winter wraps!

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:19 pm
by Davey246
Pediocactus and Sedum

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:32 pm
by edds
Davey246 wrote: Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:19 pm Pediocactus and Sedum
This is for our monthly photo competition Davey so please add photos of your plants and I'll pick the winner in a month's time! They then get to choose the next topic.

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:43 pm
by Jim_Mercer
From March 2013, melting snow revealing some sempervivums
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Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 12:43 pm
by juster
Here’s Sempervivum arachnoideum in its Summer glory, although no Winter pictures. It survives OK outside, but I often think that it’s more at risk from being too wet than from the cold.
D9E159D9-6FC7-4562-BEA4-968C02AC9D18.jpeg

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:23 pm
by Pattock
At the moment, Sempervivum look good for taking the prize this month.

:useless: :tweed:

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 7:21 pm
by Jim_Mercer
Pattock wrote: Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:23 pm At the moment, Sempervivum look good for taking the prize this month.
Just to be different Crassula sarcocaulis
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All the above have proved hardy but there is one that I have to keep a plant or two in my greenhouse as this plant seldom survives even the milder winters we now seem to get
Crassula sarcocaulis ISI 99-41 HBG 67843 original plant was collected from Mpumulango (Transvaal) then Huntington Gardens propagated it before offering plants via ISI distribution - the Huntington label came with a plant subsequently identified as a Sedum, but thanks to this forum I was able to obtain the correct plant
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Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:18 pm
by MikeT
The view out of the window this morning prompted me to take some photos.
This was this morning..
Cylind imbricata.JPG
..and the same plants (there are 2 in the pot) last December...
Cylinrop imbricata_Dec_2020_2r.JPG
It looked a bit happier last June
Cylinrop imbricata_June_2021.JPG
Some of the other Opuntias were covered by snow this morning, this one's peeking out
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Sedum confusum keeps its head above any snow
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This morning's view of an offset from the Agave filifera which is now flowering. It's been in a trough since 2005, so not a lot of growth in 16 years
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This is it in 2008
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It's not just snow they have to contend with. Older photos show that some frosting can look quite good
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The spines are less impressive in summer. Looks somewhatstressed - not exactly enjoying life.
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Another Chamaecereus in the frost
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Opuntias can also look good with frosted spines
Nov 05 1.JPG
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Some plants look better in summer. This humifusa is one that seems to enjoy outdoor life, rather than simply surviving
Op_humifusa1.JPG
The Sedum hispanicum hitching a ride in the pot is usually a biennial. It's already finished flowering, the seed capsules aren't quite ripe
Op_humifusa2.JPG
All of these have been growing outdoors for some years now, so has this Delosperma
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This Bergeranthus was photographed a few years ago in the greenhouse, but for some years now it's been at the edge of a cold frame, with the side removed, so getting snow or winter rain on it at times for several years.
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This Echinocereus lasted some years, but then succumbed to the attempt at outdoor life
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Echinocereus coccineus.JPG
All the plants so far are container grown on the garage roof. I have two reasons for avoiding planting in the ground. There is more sun on the garage roof, neighbour's trees shade much of the garden. The other reason is slugs and snails. Cacti with slug holes in them don't do well in winter. There are a few succulents in the garden. Slugs don't seem at all attracted to Crassula sarcocaulis. It always looks good, whatever the weather at any time of year
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So when the usual greenhouse design flaw is a problem (they're made too small), try growing succulents outdoors.

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 9:20 am
by Paul in Essex
That's a great selection of cacti and succulents, Mike!

Here's a couple of pictures from August. :)
Firstly Agave gentryi. Looks to me like it is heavily pregnant so at it's absolute zenith.
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Here Euphorbia clavarioides var truncata that has spread and molded itself over the rocks for the past 18 years.
euphorbiaaugust.jpg
Here Nolina nelsonii, one of my favourite garden plants that is like a giant silver star burst.
nelsoniiaugust.jpg

Re: November 2021 - Hardy succulents and cacti

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 8:32 am
by edds
Thanks to those who posted - we seem to be going a bit quiet on here over the last few months!

My winner is this Opuntia from Mike. Something that many (outside of our members perhaps) wouldn't dream could stay outside all year and get frosted like this picture shows!
Nov 05 1.JPG
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Was hoping Paul would share some of his amazing plants too and I always love the semps and Crassula, thank you all for posting.

Over to you Mike for December.