I have tried growing cacti and succulents in Minnesota and some have made it while others didn't. 1. Pediocactus simpsonii( Mountain Cactus) had 3 plants and lost two during one summer, then lost the other one the following summer. I know it wasn't the cold that killed them since they grow high in the mountains and most of the growth is during the spring when it is still cold. I don't think they received enough water in the summer and/ or it could of been the heat. They are known to despise heat especially humid heat. They didn't look dead after the winter so I doubt it was the cold. Im guessing they require more rain than other cacti and in the mountains there is a sufficient amount of rain for good growth. 2. Opuntia imbricata- Survived one winter here but that was it. It could be because all my cacti arn't planted in a raised/elevated bed. The soil is amended though and there is a 1 foot layer of just rock at the bottom of where they are planted. 3. Opuntia polyacantha " Alberta, Canada" - These have survived 2 or 3 winters now and im suprized since Alberta, Canada is a much drier climate than Twin Cities, Minnesota. 4. Opuntia compressa(O. humifusa) These have also survived although one plant it either rotted or a snowstorm or rainstorm damaged one of them during the winter. I took a pad which broke off and was laying on the ground in early march and replanted it indoors in a pot. I put the plant outdoors in May. Now I have two plants rather than only one (I originally started with 2 before the damage). They are said to like cold and wet but O.polycantha has done alot better. 5.Echinocereus viridiflorus - collected from Hot Springs South Dakota. Has survived 2 or 3 winters now and is very small still. 6. Agave utahensis- Peach springs, AZ. It didn't even make it 1 winter. Im not sure if it was the cold or the fact that it got wet when it was cold. It may of survived if planted on a slope or raised bed in rocks. All of my plants are on the south side of the house next to the house so it is warmer and they get alot of sunlight during the summer and winter. They arn't planted in the middle of the yard! So it is kind of a microclimate. I started all of these from seed and didn't plant them outdoors the first winter. I am thinking of trying Yucca glauca , Agave parryi, and Escobaria vivipara. I will have to make an elevated planting area or cover the Agave in the winter. I think Agaves dont mind cold it is the combination of wet and cold that usually kills them. New mexico can get very cold but at the same time it is dry. Florida can get very wet but usually it is warm. Agave americana can grow in Florida and Cuba despite alot of rain but you have to remember it is usually not very cold in those places. Agave americana can also grow in the Southwest where it gets very cold but it stays dry through the winter there.

OMG, thank you, GermanStar!! I think it is the Blue Flame!! Now, I think, I'll try water it regularly and see if I can bring it to life ^_^ Thank you everyon for the help! I'll post some more pictures in a couple of months~

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to say hello and that i missed this thread...probably because i have been so busy in the friendly skies!!! LOL... WHew..not real friendly anymore!!! LOL... Dixie, Thank you so much for your kind comments...you know that i love your yard...How did your house weather Irene? Did your yard flood? What kind of damage.. i hope all is well with you all...i was thinking of you while we were having the same here in VB. I do love my plants/trees (Plumies) and of course my palms. I did pick up another one last week from a vendor, it was a deal!!! But i made the mistake of having my hubby help me with it out of the car...LOL "What are u going to do with that?" LOL Oh well...it could be worse...i could have a problem with shoes or clothes...LOL Vince, You should have witnessed the procession every year bringing in the "beast" inside the house. It poked evryone and anything... I finally decided it was time to plant it outside. I had enough of bringing it in and out. This AGave is very sentimental to me, you all know how our plants have such meaning when passed down from friends. I will protect it this winter with frostcloth and lights if neccessary. Jin, Thank you for the ID..i wasnt sure what it was, the greenhouse had no clue and i was hoping it was what u had. It really has doubled in size since it was planted. The AGave will do alright outside this year...(hopefully) and ill watch it carefully.... Trishmick, Coolers are always welcome as well as visitors to my house!!! LOL...Buffet will be playing or maybe even Zac Brown...anything will work!!! DOnt even need to bring chairs..i have plenty!!!! Alex, Lani is a must have... i have enjoyed this beauty all summer. I have several that are blooming now. It has been the best summer for my inflos...Im a happy camper!! : ) I hope all is well with you!!! Did u have any damage? Greg, It really was a job geting this bad boy planted...but thsnk goodness that my son was home from College and my Hubby helped...they only had a few "pokes" LOL We purchased this "Sunglow" greenhouse from Costco. I really love it and will get great use this fall and winter, but as far as putting it together...well, the only thing i can say is..:NEVER AGAIN" LOL it was a lot of work. It was just my hubby and myself doing the job. I became very handy with the tools and the rivet gun!! LOL But it was a lot of work....if you were to ask my DH, he would have a few other things to say about putting up another one...LOL!!! "NO WAY" Take care everyone... Laura in VB

Wonderful news! Thanks! I thought about letting them just chill outside of soil for the night but I was too worried they wouldn't like having there roots exposed to the air that long. I like the white ones too, they remind me of white asparagus. Will the eventually turn green? Next time I do something like this should I try to get more of the brown dead stuff off. Part of me wants to pull it all off tomorrow when I put the correct soil in the pots. :/