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Frost tolerance

21 years ago

I'm fairly new at cacti gardening. The cacti I have had i've growen under a gum tree and they have done quite well. But i am wondering if most cacti are frost tolerant. I would like to move them out in the open. We can get some heavy frost here at times.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appeciated.

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Comments (4)

Didge1
21 years ago
Many cacti are indeed extremely frost tolerant if they are kept dry in cold weather. As a rough rule, species that naturally occur at high altitude (especially low latitudes) or inland in a continental climate - will be better choices for cold regions. Lowland coastal species especially at higher (warmer) latitudes will generally be more cold sensitive.
Rose_34
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks Didge 1 all I have to doe now is sort out who is who in my collection.:)
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jancc
21 years ago
hi, have heavy frosts here in this part of WA and the cacti seem to stand up to it ok. most of the succulents like to be under cover tho. might take me some time to work out the previous message on this site
cheers Jancc
Joylene
21 years ago
I grow most of my plants outdoors in pots and in the ground. Have had frosts down to -10C with no problems with the cactus I grow. Succulents are more difficult. Successful cactus are Trichocereus, Soehrensia, Cleistocactus, Oreocereus, Ferocactus and various others like even Mammillarias and Notocactus I had in pots outdoors this past winter through frosts. They weren't out in the open but under a pergola, but got very cold all the same. A Cotyledon sp. right next to them frosted off. It is all trial and error. And in my opinion, the plants I have mentioned are not kept dry in these conditions either as it is a winter rainfall area. I have had no plants rot off the 20 yrs growing out in the ground out in the open. More problems with heat extremes in the summer. It is all down to species sellection.
Joylene. Western Vic.

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