desert garden blog

Cold hardy desert plants etc.

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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

cuja1 wrote:Nice pics! Have you ever tried Agave utahensis kaibabensis? Is that an agave neomexicana in the picture?
I have tried Agave utahensis kaibabensis, but it last one year? Maybe if I got it to a bigger plant. I think I covered it also, still died. The one in the pic has been the only truly hardy agave I have. It is a hybrid between Agave utahensis and neomexicana. it does get damage, but so far has done better than all the others. I hope for seed one day. :wink:


Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
cuja1
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Post by cuja1 »

DesertZone wrote:
cuja1 wrote:Nice pics! Have you ever tried Agave utahensis kaibabensis? Is that an agave neomexicana in the picture?
I have tried Agave utahensis kaibabensis, but it last one year? Maybe if I got it to a bigger plant. I think I covered it also, still died. The one in the pic has been the only truly hardy agave I have. It is a hybrid between Agave utahensis and neomexicana. it does get damage, but so far has done better than all the others. I hope for seed one day. :wink:
I got an Agave utahensis kaibabensis from Kelly Grummins (coldhardycactus.com) It was outside during last winter when we got down to -13 F and it survived. It didn't even get spots on it like my Agave neomexicana. It might have even been outside the winter before which was a really bad winter, I can't remember. They seem pretty hardy though.
Jeff
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

cuja1 wrote:
DesertZone wrote:
cuja1 wrote:Nice pics! Have you ever tried Agave utahensis kaibabensis? Is that an agave neomexicana in the picture?
I got an Agave utahensis kaibabensis from Kelly Grummins (coldhardycactus.com) It was outside during last winter when we got down to -13 F and it survived. It didn't even get spots on it like my Agave neomexicana. It might have even been outside the winter before which was a really bad winter, I can't remember. They seem pretty hardy though.
I'm sure they are very hardy, but I have yet to find one that wants to survive yet. Of course I will keep trying. :D I never give up because some individual plants just do better than others. This year I have planted yet another Agave havardiana, in hopes of finding one that likes it here. :lol:
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

I have always wanted to try some of his amazing plants. :wink:
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
chadec
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Post by chadec »

Great pics, hope you have a short winter.

Im glad someone is having luck with agave utahnesis. I planted my last one this year in 75% granite on a slope and it rotted before the end of September. I do still have a hybrid utahnesis var colorata that might fair better.
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Post by cuja1 »

DesertZone wrote:I have always wanted to try some of his amazing plants. :wink:
I've been pretty happy with the quality. Have u ever tried opuntia basilaris? I was wondering how hardy they actually are.
Jeff
cuja1
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Post by cuja1 »

chadec wrote:Great pics, hope you have a short winter.

Im glad someone is having luck with agave utahnesis. I planted my last one this year in 75% granite on a slope and it rotted before the end of September. I do still have a hybrid utahnesis var colorata that might fair better.
You must get alot more rain than we get here. It probably goes without saying but i protect my agaves from moisture in the winter
Jeff
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Edmar
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Post by Edmar »

Beautiful scenery Aaron! has the snow stayed or is it all gone by now? here in my place there's no signs of snow & the mild temps will stay until January.
Merry Xmas! :D
Edwin

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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Edmar wrote:Beautiful scenery Aaron! has the snow stayed or is it all gone by now? here in my place there's no signs of snow & the mild temps will stay until January.
Merry Xmas! :D
Thank you!
The snow was melted, but we have received more. As far as the over all temps we are just a little bit below normal temps. The plants are showing more signs of cold damage sense the last pics in my blog. :|
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

cuja1 wrote:
DesertZone wrote:I have always wanted to try some of his amazing plants. :wink:
I've been pretty happy with the quality. Have u ever tried opuntia basilaris? I was wondering how hardy they actually are.
Yes, I have tried many. There are many to try from but only a few that I have found to be truly hardy. There is a close relative that is very hardy with many different flower colors. Opuntia aurea. But if you are truly looking for a hardy Opuntia basilaris, this one is the hardiest.


"Nye county NV." http://www.plantasiacactusgardens.com/p ... tures.html

This is one I bought years ago.
Image
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
cuja1
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Post by cuja1 »

DesertZone wrote:
cuja1 wrote:
DesertZone wrote:I have always wanted to try some of his amazing plants. :wink:
I've been pretty happy with the quality. Have u ever tried opuntia basilaris? I was wondering how hardy they actually are.
Yes, I have tried many. There are many to try from but only a few that I have found to be truly hardy. There is a close relative that is very hardy with many different flower colors. Opuntia aurea. But if you are truly looking for a hardy Opuntia basilaris, this one is the hardiest.


"Nye county NV." http://www.plantasiacactusgardens.com/p ... tures.html

This is one I bought years ago.
Image
I love the cactus! I'll have to try one.
Jeff
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hardyjim
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Post by hardyjim »

Awesome flowers!
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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

hardyjim wrote:Awesome flowers!
Thank You :D
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
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Henoh_Croatia
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Post by Henoh_Croatia »

Very cool! Wild life also. Agave looks like utahiensis hybrid.Hope Y.brevifolia will recover in Spring without dying back branches.
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Henoh_Croatia
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Post by Henoh_Croatia »

I just read in older post that your Agave is hybrid between utahiensis and neomexicana. To the eye there is more utahiensis genes.Cool Agave.
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cuja1
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Post by cuja1 »

Whats the coldest its gotten there this season Aaron?

I still dont understand the science about desert plants surving in the west but not the east. It looks like you guys get as much snow as we do sometimes.
Jeff
chadec
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Post by chadec »

Snow can act as an insulation. The main reasons plants are less hardy in the east is because of the amount of precip. If the plants are not hardened off they are not as hardy as possible. Also we tend to have warm spells were the plants are semi dormant and then the temps drop drastically. If freezing weather catches plants growing the growing buds of cacti or meristems of the agave can be damaged.
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

chadec wrote:Snow can act as an insulation. The main reasons plants are less hardy in the east is because of the amount of precip. If the plants are not hardened off they are not as hardy as possible. Also we tend to have warm spells were the plants are semi dormant and then the temps drop drastically. If freezing weather catches plants growing the growing buds of cacti or meristems of the agave can be damaged.
So true.
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
cuja1
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Post by cuja1 »

chadec wrote:Snow can act as an insulation. The main reasons plants are less hardy in the east is because of the amount of precip. If the plants are not hardened off they are not as hardy as possible. Also we tend to have warm spells were the plants are semi dormant and then the temps drop drastically. If freezing weather catches plants growing the growing buds of cacti or meristems of the agave can be damaged.
That makes sense. I thought it was just snow or freezing precip that caused death to the desert plants. That obviously can't be true seeing that desert places get snow.
Jeff
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
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Henoh_Croatia
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Post by Henoh_Croatia »

Thank you for update Aaron. Very unusual W. filifera with fussy leaves.
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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Henoh_Croatia wrote:Thank you for update Aaron. Very unusual W. filifera with fussy leaves.
Yes, I hope to get seed off of it in the future. :wink:
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
chadec
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Post by chadec »

Looks like mixed results, but for your zone I dont think its too bad. I am still surprised agave parryi and palmeri faired better than havardiana.
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

chadec wrote:Looks like mixed results, but for your zone I dont think its too bad. I am still surprised agave parryi and palmeri faired better than havardiana.
One day I'm going to find a hardy A. havardiana. :D
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
chadec
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Post by chadec »

They are funny. My oldest ( 6 yrs ) took more damage than ever this yr. Out of 3 first yr 1 didnt make it, 1 took alot of damage. Other one in raised bed came through with no damage.
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
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Edmar
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Post by Edmar »

Hi Aaron!
Great update as always, I see that you had a rough winter......here I also had lots of damage on my yuccas even though we had a "mild" winter but lots of freezing rain and now an usually cold spring with too much fluctuations between day and night.
I hope your plants recover rapidly & wish you a nice summer, thanks for sharing. :D
Edwin

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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
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Henoh_Croatia
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Post by Henoh_Croatia »

Aaron, I hope your wife and daughter are ok now.
Garden is just amazing. What a great color of blooming Opuntia basilaris (?) 8)

Best regards,

Mario
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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Henoh_Croatia wrote:Aaron, I hope your wife and daughter are ok now.
Garden is just amazing. What a great color of blooming Opuntia basilaris (?) 8)

Best regards,

Mario
They are doing well, thank you :D

Yes, some are Opuntia basilaris. :wink:
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
igor.glukhovtsev
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Post by igor.glukhovtsev »

Would you please specify were this "Warm water fish in the warm springs" is located? It's too funny seeing Eastern Africa Grate Lakes chichlid fishes in USA... Surprised!
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DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone »

igor.glukhovtsev wrote: Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:06 pm Would you please specify were this "Warm water fish in the warm springs" is located? It's too funny seeing Eastern Africa Grate Lakes chichlid fishes in USA... Surprised!
Sorry it took so long to reply.
They were in warm water springs, and that is how the alligators survives the winters also.
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
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Re: desert garden blog

Post by DesertZone »

Just an update to my Idaho garden blog.
http://unkowndestination.blogspot.com/2 ... -just.html

Image
Shoshone Idaho weather
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... ooding.gif" alt="Click for Pearce, Arizona Forecast" border="0" height="50" width="150" /></a>
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-
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Re: desert garden blog

Post by andym »

Hi Aaron... Nice to hear from you :) Thanks for the update of your desert plants.That Rostrata/thompsoniana smaller plant on close examination has a lot of fine filaments in the plant so maybe some elata genes there. I do like the Agave Utahensis x Neomexicana hybrid.. might even survive here as not had success with pure utahensis. Yucca brevifolia looks great. I have one that has come through the winter here but completely dry
IMG_5702.JPG
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Thanks again for showing :D
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janci
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Re: desert garden blog

Post by janci »

Hello DezertZone,excellent reportage after winter :D thank you very much
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