Touch and go

iann · Post by **iann** » Tue May 17, 2011 3:45 pm

I thought this Hesperaloe was dead. It was pretty badly burned last winter at about -15C (5F) but never looked dead. This winter never got quite so cold, but the cold hit early and stayed for a very long time. There was nothing left green and the inside was squidgy. Now this.

Post by **daiv** » Tue May 17, 2011 9:10 pm

Looks very wet!

iann · Post by **iann** » Tue May 17, 2011 10:39 pm

daiv wrote:Looks very wet!

It's rained every day for over a week. The last few days it has been an almost continuous drizzle, so everything is wet 24/7. Doesn't seem to be a problem for this plant but obviously it limits which succulents can survive in the garden.

MJPapay · Post by **MJPapay** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:20 pm

So the drought is over?

A friend in Cornwall reported many weeks without significant rain. As he grows palms and tropicals this was making things a bit difficult.

Here's hoping your hesperaloe pulls through. Still plenty of green there.

Post by **daiv** » Wed May 18, 2011 12:37 am

MJPapay wrote:So the drought is over?

That's what I was wondering - amazing that it can tolerate that.

iann · Post by **iann** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:26 am

About an inch of rain in a week doesn't come close to making up for the deficit this spring, but it is plenty for the plants. Bear in mind that zero sun, 100% humidity, and temperatures topping out around 15C (59F) mean you don't need a lot of water to grow fat and happy.

These conditions are actually pretty good for many succulents, but being wet 24/7 for weeks on end in winter when it freezes at night and thaws during the day really limits what can survive outside!