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Topic starter
Does anyone know if barrel cacti and forms of echinocereus will survive unprotected in a cold wet environment (like zone 5b or 6a)? I know some cholla and many prickly pears will survive. Any one ever tried in these zones? I cover my claret cup and small barrel cacti but I'm thinking about uncovering the claret cup to see what happens.
Jeff
Posted : 06/11/2013 3:56 pm
My guess is they would need sharp drainage, but that is about all I have too add. 🙂
Shoshone Idaho weather
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Here's to all the global warming pushers, may your winters be -30 below and four feet of snow in your driveway. Because I want you happy.
-Aaron-
Posted : 06/11/2013 11:45 pm
They can begin to rot at the (growth)point where the sticker/thorns emerge if snow or water sit on top.
Most of the truly hardy barrels shed their water before winter some how...
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Posted : 07/11/2013 9:27 am
Topic starter
O.k. thanks guys.
Jeff
Posted : 07/11/2013 2:10 pm
None of my cacti are protected, they get full sun all summer (at least 6 hours of direct sun) and have very sharp drainage. I have the following species of Echinocereus growing in Eastern Ontario, Canada USDA 4b/5a:
E. triglochidiatus (many forms)
E. fendlerii
E. rechenbachii (many forms)
E. viridiflorus (VERY hardy)
E. coccineus
E. engelmanii v. variegatus
There are others that are 'half-hardy' here unprotected, but they tend to fail after a few years. Also, you should probably treat with fungicide in the fall and spring if you leave them unprotected, this will reduce the mortality. Things like Pediocactus and Escobaria are a little more robust to winter wet. However, Pediocactus will tend to rot out if you have too many humid nights about 20C or so.
Posted : 08/11/2013 10:44 am
Topic starter
That's what I was wanting to hear! Thank you Paul.
Jeff
Posted : 09/11/2013 3:45 pm
Jeff, everyone's given you some great info here. A general rule is that the wetter the location, the sharper the drainage has to be (or start considering the cacti as being less hardy to colder temps). If I was to plant a zone 4 cactus species here without any overhead protection, I would grow it as if it was hardy to zone 5/6, since my location is so rainy.
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Posted : 02/12/2013 1:13 am
