Anime

[Pattock]

Some of the more tasteful Japanese anime artists include quite delightful botanical scenery. In this case, they have some in the foreground. This Aloe polyphylla is from the trailer of an upcoming anime film to be carried by Netflix, called Bubble. It might be modelled on a photo that comes high in an image search.

[Aiko]

This speaking of Aloe polyphylla reminded me to have a look at some more in debt cultivation for Aloe polyphylla during the winter. I got four plants in a swap from Tina earlier this year. And I still needed to find out if I could keep them outside during winter or it would be better to keep them dryer in an unheated greenhouse. So I came across this interesting article: http://www.viridis.net/cactus/aloe_poly.html which I would like to pass on to other Aloe polyphylla interested persons up here. Probably best to keep them outside all year, is my conclusion.

[Christian]

The website is that of Clarke Brunt - who is the donor of the Aloe polyphylla seed on the BCSS list! I had a good number of larger plants outside a few winters ago and lost the lot bar one. I suspect it might have been snow on these which partly melted and then refroze which led to rot. That last plant of mine is still out in the cold and rain, but I will bring it under cover should it snow.

[edds]

What size are they Aiko? I'd keep them inside, but watered, if they're not big.
My largest is in a half barrel and stays outside. The next largest, in a 40cm bowl, is inside but I'm planning for it stay outside from next year onwards.

[Mike P]

I suspect it might have been snow on these which partly melted and then refroze which led to rot. That last plant of mine is still out in the cold and rain, but I will bring it under cover should it snow.

That’s what happened to mine in the 2010 / 2011 ‘proper winter’ along with a few Agaves, a tree fern and a lot of those Mediterranean plants that also won’t tolerate being wet and then freezing solid.

[Aiko]

What size are they Aiko? I'd keep them inside, but watered, if they're not big.
My largest is in a half barrel and stays outside. The next largest, in a 40cm bowl, is inside but I'm planning for it stay outside from next year onwards.

About 7 centimeters wide. Maybe I will bring them in. I still don't know.
It was -4C last night. The first bit of decent frost they had to go through.

[edds]

What size are they Aiko? I'd keep them inside, but watered, if they're not big.
My largest is in a half barrel and stays outside. The next largest, in a 40cm bowl, is inside but I'm planning for it stay outside from next year onwards.

About 7 centimeters wide. Maybe I will bring them in. I still don't know.
It was -4C last night. The first bit of decent frost they had to go through.

My ones of that size (sown this year) are definitely inside! I wouldn't have those outside still personally.

[barv]

May I ask what lowest safe temperature would be?
I keep my outside if it’s above -4C at night but bring them in if it’s getting colder.

[Herts Mike]

My two have been outside for some years now. They are against a south facing wall under the eaves which keeps much of the bad weather away.
The smaller one is going into a permanent bed next spring.

[edds]

May I ask what lowest safe temperature would be?
I keep my outside if it’s above -4C at night but bring them in if it’s getting colder.

Mine are kept frost free until I feel they are big enough to stay outside. However I'm not saying they need that and someone much more experienced than me will need to give you an answer! I think a big part of protecting a plant under glass is preventing a 'deep freeze' of the rootball and also cutting the drying and wind chill effects of very cold winds.