20 replies to this topic

[spacecake]

It cannot stand frost,cells will be destroyed and you will end up getting a mushi cacti..all soft and dead.

[TVCasualty]

I've tried growing it in a way-too-cold area (sometimes got to 5 degrees F) and it didn't like that at all. It seemed to struggle through and survive the temps you mentioned (mid 20's), but I lost the tips. The only way it survived at all was the cold frame I built around it, then the quick'n'dirty PVC/plastic sheeting greenhouse erected over the cold frame.

I would recommend (for a few cacti) growing in pots, and taking them in for winter or freezes.

Otherwise, I'd build a perimeter of strawbales around the cactus patch and cover with glass (I like big old glass sliding doors, I grab 'em from renovation jobs sometimes).

Strawbales allow for stacking of bales high enough to cover the tops of the cactus with the glass (unless you got a real tall cactus). Stack them in staggered courses like cinderblocks and try to cover the top row from direct exposure to rain/snow so the setup lasts longer (side exposure is ok). It will still only last through one cold season, but is real cheap and you could even inoculate the straw with something (I haven't done that, but I have built strawbale cold frames).

For utterly cheap and quick, get a strawbale and cut the twine. Fluff up the loose straw and fully cover the cactus patch. Try to pile the loose straw at least a foot over the tops. You can use a trashbag that you cut the closed end off of as a cylinder to hold the straw around the cactus if it's real tall. Ain't purty but it'll work. There isn't photosynthesis going on at those temps anyhow.

Good Luck!

[TVCasualty]

In my case it was the top inch or two that froze, and when thawed they got yellow then grey and mushy. So I hacked them off at an angle and after they callused over there were eventually new tips popping up around the edge of the cut. It wasn't a happy cactus, but it did grow.

[loochypooch]

An outdoor cactus farm in the desert I went to had a lot of San Pedros. I heard that it got down to 8 degrees there a while back. And the only reason any of the Pedros survived was because they had have not been watered in months (less water in the ribs to freeze). Some died and many probably will have deformed growth at the tip when spring comes, but foam cups were put over the tips of the cacti to avoid this.

My take is that you can grow these in colder climates but it takes skill and the end result is not pretty. Among other things it seems they get etoliation from lack of water. My cacti come in for the winter and are very fat and healthy.

[gardentoad]

When I had a hard freeze the tips of my Pedros froze and turned black. They then calloused off and sprouted new pups from the area. The hard freeze was very unusual weather for us and only lasted 2 days. They only suffered for a short while, not a whole season.

[loochypooch]

Well, I'd certainly never keep them out in a snow, especially not without covering them with something. That's cactus cruelty...

[Boombloom]

Definately do not water in winter once the temp drops below 40. Ifyou cant bring em indoors at least cover them or block from wind. You can start to expect loss down at 20f.

[Jetson]

Poor little fella... :(
I'm still trying to nurse my baby through its rooting stage. It started sending out little roots, but a couple broke off from a careless repotting after a little spill.

[rocketman]

seems as if they have really etiolated too during the winter. id keep them indoors, as i am in zone 7 and find now way to keep them happy outside without a greenhouse....winter months.

[Bobcat]

It all depends on how important that cactus is to you. I typically leave some things out that shouldn't be out. Mostly its a failure, but sometimes you get a winning strain. Im in zone 5/6 and have a calla lilly that survived last winter. We'll see about next year. I left some cannas in this year too.

These things also depend on the location of your planting. The side of the house, how near it is to large bodies of water (or other microclimates), close to foundations, amount of mulch, etc.

Good luck to you! We can grow various cacti outdoors in my area (like the optunia- but there are many more). Also some bananas and palms. It would be very cool if someone found a strain of T.pach. that could move north!

[cactuswren]

In zone 8A, macrogonus and terscheckii [rooted and over 12" when planted] have survived several winters for me. I did cover them on a few occasions. More than a night or two below 20 would most likely be too much. All my other Trich's are in pots and indoors for the winter when the temp drops below 40.

[Phungivore]

bump , heard of some wrapping cacti in xmas tree lights and blankets or bubble wrap for coldest days, the guy i was talking to said when temps where dropping below 30 he would plug the lights in.