Help..How do you handle watering this time of year cold nights?

13 years ago

Hi everyone..

I was wondering how I am suppsoe to handle watering my plants in my type of weather since this is a first for me leaving them outside this long..

I have them protected from the rain..They sit on my roof in full sun and it gets pretty warm underr the plastic covering..But then, if it is a cold day, all the sun has to do is go behind the clouds and that's it, the temps drop..

At night after a very warm sunny day like today, it can get hot in there, all the plants are dry and I do not want to dehydrate them by withholding water for fear of cold nights, and if I water, it seems only the ones that are in the gritty mix dry out good enough by night fall, that is if teh sun stayas out all day..I figure just one day in the cold with damp soil, they would die? Am I right?

Would it be better if I just brought them inside and left them in a sunny exposure, although that room will dip into the low 60's regulary..Of course then I will cut back watering even more so since many will not be sitting in the very warm sun all day on a hot roof..

Then the ones still in a more peaty mix, are still damp by night fall and the cold nights..

But, remember, they are bone dry if I do not water because the sun can still be very hot this time of year , so I do not want to withhold water too long either.

I am very confused and could use your idea's to make this a bit easier..

Thank you much for helping

Mike

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Comments (7)

Andrew Scott
13 years ago
Hi Mike,
I don't know how much I can help but I can tell you what I have been doing.
My jades have sat out almost non stop except for when we hada freeze watch. I only brought them in because I knew the soil was wet. I will tell you though that I have left ALL my cacti and succulents out even when temps have been in upper 30's and soil has been damp. I have not lost a one! In fact, it has been the complete opposite. Like the cactus you sent to me. It actually responded by putting out a pup!
I have learned in this very short period of time, that these plants are a lot tougher than I ever realized. I though for sure the wet and cold combo would be devastating but I have been getting really nice growth.

Oh wait to see what I get this week, and no I am not talking about my next order from Lorraine. I got a VERY rare succulent also!
Andrew
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
13 years ago
For example:

I have not watered my plants for a few days..I was just up there and everyone of my pots are bone dry and the sun is hot on this clear blue sky day in the 60's.

Would you water now, knowing tonight the temps will be in the high 30's or let them go dry even further? Just how long if so?..I am noticing a bit of stress on some leaves from a lack of water...The cactus show no stress but some of my euphorbias and succulents seem to be a bit over dry..

Mike
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meyermike_1micha
Original Author
13 years ago
Andrew, we must have posted at the very same time..

That is awsome...I am a bit concerned of how often to water in our elements. I think it may spare you a few heartaches too if we get experienced help...
If what you are saying is true, then this is probably where growing in a very porous mix allows us to do this?

It is suppose to be in the mid thirties tonight, and all my pots are bone dry today........................................I don't know what to do..

Only 50's tomorrow with clear skys..

I can't wait to see your newbies! My goodness, I have the feeling you are going to have to end up doing what the folks do I met at the C&S meeting, grow under lights and leave them on for at least 16 hours...

Good to hear from you..I will write you later..
Thanks for what you had to offer..

Mike:-)
Andrew Scott
13 years ago
Hi Mike,
Exactly a week ago today, we hada frost warning. I was a little concerned because we hada heavy rain storm the day before. Norma had told me that keeping the jades outdoors during cold weather was fine. Like you said, she had said that they had to be kept really dry. The temps here got to 34 degrees. I went out and checked the next day to see if there was any damage. I didn't see any signs of any damage at all. Now, a week later, I am still seeing great growth on them and nothing appears to have suffered. I really do believe that these plants are more tolerant of harsh condtions.

One thing you could try if your really skeptical is choosing maybe 2 jades. I would choose 2 that you would not be really upset about losing. I know that is a tall order in itself. Water them and leave them out over night and see how they perform. I think you will be surprised. I have only brought mine under cover a few times and the month of Spetember and early Ocotber were very rainy. I was slightly concerned of root rot and other problems. I do have a lot of my jades in a very porous soil. Some are in striaght turface which I have found to be better than the other mixes. I just have to feed them since there is no nutrients in the turface whatsoever.
Let me know how things work Mike. I will be keeping some of my jades under that 600 watt HPS light. I do have some window spaces for other jades but the ones that are getting nice colors I want to keep like that.
Andrew
xerophyte NYC
13 years ago
Keep in mind that plants this time of year have a full, healthy root system and can tolerate more watering than the same plant, with the same temps, in the spring.

x
Andrew Scott
13 years ago
Hi Xerophyte,
I couldn't agree more. I have noticed the same thing with my plants.
I know during the fall, I really don't have to worry about any of my plants unless I know were going to have a freeze. My tropical fruit trees I do have to worry about because even though they can handle the frigid temps, I do find that if we have a lot of rain combined with the cold temps, I will end up with a disease called anthracnose. I have a mango tree outdoors now that I have left out even when temps hit 34 degrees. The mango made it just fine, however I did end up with anthracnose all over it. Same with my potted jackfruit tree and a couple of my cherimoya and sugar apple seedlings. I will spray everything except for my mango tree. I know no matter what I am going to lose that plant.
My thanksgiving cacti are all loaded up with buds right now. I only move those in when we have wet weather predicted since I dont like them to get any rain/water until the buds are fully developed and I am ready to bring it in.
Andrew
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
13 years ago
I am feeling pretty confident now..I got some great advice off forum privately from a very wonderful member who lives near me, you too Andrew and X...Jojo also suggested I get every bit of detail about this situation from the local C&S club I just joined at the next meeting..Thank you

I have decided to leave my Jades outside and water as normal since they are in a very good porous mix, and bring just a few cacti and succulents in, especially euphorbia since I know these can rot easy at the crown or base.

I will update..I am hoping to get some flowers on some of my jades from this cold and if not, at least keep the vibrant colors going..They seem to love the cold and all day sun....:-)

You guys are fantastic..

Mike

Help..How do you handle watering this time of year cold nights?

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Help..How do you handle watering this time of year cold nights?

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