Daiv mentioned raising cactus in Minnesota. Did you raise anything other than opuntia outdoors? Does anyone at his site have any experience with cold hardy cactus? There is a Canadian club that has quite a list of cactus they have had success with.
I am patiently waiting for my first "cold hardy" seedlings to break ground. They are almost overdue, about three plus weeks. I will be patient though.
Mark
'Cold hardy' cactus
You are limited in number of species you can grow. Primarily a couple Opuntia and Escobaria. On the bright side, these guys are quite variable and you can get a good variety by selecting those with more spines, less spines; some have pink flowers, some yellow, some in-between.
Here are a few that you can grow for sure:
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... s=fragilis
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... s=humifusa
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... macrorhiza
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... s=vivipara
You might be able to get an Echinocereus (Hedge Hog, Claret Cup) to grow, but it will be a little touchy. I think you might be OK if you are a Zone 4 or 5 whereas I was trying to grow them in a Zone 3 or 4 and they did not survive.
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... ochidiatus
Normally, you shouldn’t have to worry about covering them, but with the lack of winter snow lately and the sporadic temperature changes, it might not be a bad idea. Put about a foot thick mat of pine needles over them and that will give you some extra security. You should also be able to grow a couple Yucca that would be a great compliment to your cacti.
Here are a few that you can grow for sure:
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... s=fragilis
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... s=humifusa
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... macrorhiza
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... s=vivipara
You might be able to get an Echinocereus (Hedge Hog, Claret Cup) to grow, but it will be a little touchy. I think you might be OK if you are a Zone 4 or 5 whereas I was trying to grow them in a Zone 3 or 4 and they did not survive.
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus ... ochidiatus
Normally, you shouldn’t have to worry about covering them, but with the lack of winter snow lately and the sporadic temperature changes, it might not be a bad idea. Put about a foot thick mat of pine needles over them and that will give you some extra security. You should also be able to grow a couple Yucca that would be a great compliment to your cacti.
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templegatejohn
- Posts: 1198
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Leeds, England
Cold Hardy Plants
Hi,
I have grown some of the Pediocactus in a cold greenhouse, but not outside in the garden. they are said to stand the cold very well, but perhaps they are too small a plant and would be lost in the garden environment.
There are many species that will tolerate cold even freezing, some of the Mammillarias, Echinopsis and even Gymnocalyciums. It is the constant wetness and high humidity that they cannot stand. In England I have had Opuntia compressa under a covering of snow, no problem at all. It was when the winter was slightly warmer and wet as well that I had problems.
I have grown some of the Pediocactus in a cold greenhouse, but not outside in the garden. they are said to stand the cold very well, but perhaps they are too small a plant and would be lost in the garden environment.
There are many species that will tolerate cold even freezing, some of the Mammillarias, Echinopsis and even Gymnocalyciums. It is the constant wetness and high humidity that they cannot stand. In England I have had Opuntia compressa under a covering of snow, no problem at all. It was when the winter was slightly warmer and wet as well that I had problems.