Central Florida rain

10 years ago

HI all,

I'm pretty new to Cacti and Succulents and have learned a great deal from this site and others, however , i have yet to see a definitive answer to my question. Provided that the soil is fast draining, can various cacti and succulents survive the daily summer rains in central Florida if left outside? Obviously some will do better than others. Are there certain types to avoid leaving in the rain? I generally leave them out except when i know its going to rain for a few days in a row. All are potted. also, rain aside, how often are any others in central Florida watering outside potted plants? If it doesn't rain, the soil seems to dry within a day or two. I am currently erring on the side of caution and watering once a week when it isn't raining, but im left wondering if i couldn't water more frequently to get better growth during the summer. I know not to over-water and especially in the winter ( which is pretty short here ). Thanks in advance.

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laura1

10 years ago

Central Florida Cactus and Succulent Society (CFCSS) does not have a website, we are small! But we have a decent sale Labor Day weekend at the USF Botanical Gardens where we have vendors come in.

Aloes I have to be more careful when left out all the time...need a grittier mix.

I have a shade house where I keep some things but it is gets a bit more shade than I would like. Here is a pix of my latest solution to rain/light issues.

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Comments (9)

laura1
10 years ago
Growing cactus and succulents in Florida can we a real trick especially if you leave your plants out all the time. A friend of mine uses 90% perlite in his cactus mix and 80%perlite in his succulent mix and he keeps most of his outside all the time. The same guy did a program on how many plants he has killed over the years! He is a good grower and has over 1000 plants but plants die

I keep the bulk of mine under cover so I can control the moisture although others get the full brunt of Florida summer rains. My sansevieria and agaves generally take what God gives 'em. Also, clay pots are helpful.

Where do you live? I'm in Tampa. Sarasota has a nice society with garden and greenhouse. Tampa also has a small C & S society for like minded folks.
puglvr1
10 years ago
I have mine mostly outside too up against the wall of my South wall...in the summer they get very bright light but NO direct sun. It gets a lot of rain since the awning above is not very wide. I try to move it inside my FL room if I've had more than 2 or 3 days in a row of heavy rain to give it a chance to dry a bit...Since I don't have a covered patio.

During late spring and summer mine goes pretty much dormant and if it grows at all, its barely noticeable. I have found that majority of my Succulents and Jades are winter growers for me...in the summer I water about every 7-10 days when I have no rain.

I use Al's Gritty mix on all my Jades and Succulents...
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CactusN00b
Original Author
10 years ago
Laura,

Thanks for the response. I am in Orlando. Most of my plants are in clay pots, and i am using miracle grow cactus mix with additional small pebbles mixed in. Seems to be pretty good draining. I have left them in a rain a few times, but limited it to no more than two straight days and I'm a miser about turning of the sprinklers when its raining. I've seen the C&S in Tampa.. do they have a website .. I cant seem to find one.

Seems like desert rose does OK in the rain here, and a neighbor of mine keeps his outside all the time as well as a few succulents.

Anything other than aloe/agave you have has success with outside unprotected?

How are you protecting them and getting them enough light?
That seems to be my main problem, as my patio is east facing and i have no place on the south side i could enjoy them or that would be protected. Wife doesn't want them out front ( west side) :(
CactusN00b
Original Author
10 years ago
Nice little setup there. I have been toying with a very similar idea. Is the top of that clear? right now i put my plants on the patio when i know it will rain and they get about 3 -4 hours of direct sun ( as it rises in the morning ) but are pretty well shaded the rest of the day. I'm hesitant to leave them there too long, but at least they stay dry in all but the worst thunderstorms. Admittedly, it gets tiring having to move the lot of them this frequently, but I don't think that the amount of direct sunlight will be enough to promote growth on the patio.

Do you add additional shelter during heavier storms? Do you bring them in during what we call winter in Florida?

Would it be too humid if I put them into a small greenhouse ?

really appreciate the info from my fellow Floridians. :)
laura1
10 years ago
a lot of people grow succulents inside so even though yours aren't getting as much sun as you think they should it isn't too bad.
(Thunderstorm about to let go right now)

My lean to is new and has a few bugs to work out...like extending the roof over hang in the front. And yes, it is clear plastic.

good luck

I have a shadehouse that I wrap up if it gets really cold and I stuff it full. I have a small heater (it makes me feel better).

At first I was going to grow orchids in the shadehouse...with succulents. They really don't go together (for me). One or the other is going to suffer!

I keep a lot of my smaller plants in those black nursery trays. If I have to move them it is quicker and they are not as likely to get knocked over.
laura1
10 years ago
Shadehouse when it was new:
CactusN00b
Original Author
10 years ago
Very Nice. Now I'm sufficiently jealous. Looks well built.

I cant build over my fence level due to HOA or I might be tempted to run to HD or Lowes.
puglvr1
8 years ago
Laura, that is a very nice set and collection...I too love Jades and succulents. I especially LOVE your Bonsai...mind taking a close up picture? Thanks!! Did you purchase that locally or on the internet...

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