Laughing quite a lot here now. Perhaps the term weather, as in changing weather in a particular location, might not be the best term for the discussion that is forming. Climate might be a better term. People in arid or desert climates, usually do need to add moisture and protect their bins from drying out. Here in central Florida as throughout most of the east and midwest, adding extra moisture to bins is often not needed or wanted. Now I will say that here in Florida we have different seasons that can require some special actions to keep the moisture in different types of bins at a reasonable level. A plastic bin here will be a challenge to keep it from becoming too wet unless someone is very good at balancing moisture levels. Our big open bins, we might put cardboard over the top to help them shed some water through the rainy summer/fall seasons but it can be hard to keep cardboard from blowing away. Often through these season it is really hot and even with the humidity, I've not had a big open pile/bin go nasty or anaerobic even when it was getting too much water. During a hot dry spring (thinking temps like 95-104 F no rain and for Florida, incredibly low relative humidity between 15 and 40 RH), an open pile here is capable of drying out too much if no moist additions are being made. (Those conditions mentioned above happen to be the kind of spring that caused Florida to burn in 1998.) Here is a link that might be useful: TCLynx

It would help to know your zone and also to know if you are talking about plants in the ground or hanging baskets. I have found the the mix used in hanging baskets dries out very quickly so plants need to be watered every day when it is hot. Sometimes even twice a day. Sometimes I repot in a larger pot using Miracle Grow soilless mix which doesn't dry out so fast. Some people also add water crystals to their potting mix. I also hang them in mostly shade with a little morning sun. And fertilize at least once a week to keep them blooming, more often if using diluted fertilizer.

Thank you everyone so much for what you do with your plants. Rina, your plants looks so happy, I really adore those aeoniums & echeverias! I like the motto SOS! I need to do that during the next downsizing. I wouldn't want to move all my plants either unless of the most severe storms (tornado warnings). Margaret, your weather sounds very comfortable, and what a typical Spring would be like in New England. I'm not usually in the super hot weather for a long time as there is AC indoors. When I'm in the pool the heat is great, just trying to avoid sunburn. I guess my plants and I have a lot in common, lol. Crenda, your tricolors remind me of past problems that I am trying to avoid, so I too feel they do best away from high humidity. It's like years of growing them and a few days of humidity turns them ugly. Maybe this is why some folks choose not to grow them.... so darn fussy. Ewwmayo, agreed on that shade cloth, love having it....what percent are you using? Mine is 30% but is doubled at the moment, when I get a chance later I will make it one layer. Pagan, too funny, I hope the mesembs are happier under that tough love...seems like it :) Mike, what is this about sitting back and enjoying the plants?!? Ha... I was just thinking the other day I don't have a chair in the gazebo, it's full of plants! I keep meaning to grab a chair and I forget. I collected rain water last night and earlier today I watered the 200+ plants. Looking around I have A LOT of repotting at least 50 to a 100! I do worry of older mixes being compact or they simply outgrew their pot. I'm going out soon and will get more potting mix. I'm sure the gazebo blocks more light than the plants could take. Western sun facing the shade cloth side, mostly jades and random succulents get the brightest area. CC/TC/Rhipsallis are further inward, they get some morning sun though on the other side. -Nancy

Musty smells in houses may be attributed to several causes, including: https://www.air-conditioning-heating.org/ Mold and mildew: Leaky pipes, a damaged roof, high humidity, and exposed dirt in the crawlspace may all contribute to moisture buildup. This moisture combined with the stagnant air and dark corners can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can hide behind walls or in other unseen places. Worse, long after the mold dies, its odor lingers, having permeated the carpet, curtains, and upholstery, making the whole house smell like mildew. Musty odors trapped in the HVAC system: Duct cleaning is one of the most important and most overlooked maintenance projects a homeowner can engage in. You can almost always count on old ductwork to be grimy, dusty, and smelly. The heating and cooling equipment itself may be decades old, introducing musty odors into the home every time it turns on. Cigarette and cigar smoke: Smoking indoors, even occasionally, leaves a lasting impression on a home. Drywall and other soft surfaces like carpeting soak in the scent of smoke and nicotine. If the previous homeowner smoked, the walls will emit that odor for decades without proper mitigation. Spills and messes: Pet accidents and drink spills that are not properly cleaned will seep deep into carpet padding and even the subfloor of a room. These odors can linger for years if never properly cleaned. Lack of Airflow: Homes that have spent a significant time closed lack airflow. Stagnant air from boarding up an old house between owners can bring these scents to the forefront. Airflow is vital to keeping a home smelling fresh. How to Get Rid of Old House Smells It can be difficult to eliminate an unpleasant musty odor in your home, even with deep cleaning. To get at the root of the problem, you need to go even deeper and make some home upgrades.