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.

Ponderosa seeds wil come true to type. Most Citrus do. Even if it didn't, it will produce fruit, Could be as good as Mother Plant, Better or worse. You might even discover a new variety. I currently have 55 Varieties growing, Ponderosa being one, it hasn't fruited yet but I am waiting. I have had no problems yet with taste or variety of what has fruited. Key Lime, Variegated Eureka, Calamondin and Meyer Lemon. Peek at my home page to see the varieties I am growing. Happy Growing! Darren

I would water most everything, though perhaps not cacti. But certainly Aeoniums.. .they need a lot of water in the winters anyway, and this year they sure aren't getting it from the weather. In your climate, I doubt you kill much of anything by watering, and most plants will like it (Agaves for the most part will appreciate it). Jades certainly like water this time of year.

Hi all, I'd be curious to any new tips anyone has learned over the years. I just re-read this threat and it's full of useful information. A few questions: 1. Regarding fans/circulation, does everyone have the fan mostly blowing directly on their shelves. Consistently or intermittently (side to side moving fan)? Other than affecting leaf temperature and promoting growth, does it worsen vs help pests such as scale or mites? 2. Ewwmayo, how do you secure your sunblaster lights onto the wood strips? I'm still using the sunblaster plastic things that you buy separately to secure multiple light fixtures together, but they are really flimsy, and it is difficult for the lights to fit in them. Thanks