EL Nino
jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
8 years ago
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msdorkgirl
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
El nino winter in NC?
Comments (12)I think "normal" re-writes it's own definition every year. I also believe that constantly moist winter soils due to the breakdown of well-intended amendments when planting then covered by rotting mulch lead to more plant death by root rot. Soils have to breathe and excess moisture has to evaporate or you have a breeding ground for detrimental forms of fungus and anaerobic bacteria. We used to have a fairly reliable temperate climate here on the Piedmont but not so much anymore. Extremes of temperature and rainfall seem to be more the normal....See MoreEl Nino
Comments (25)I call the plants with rotted roots ill prepared for drought, "spoiled brat plants". I have a lot of them this year. My rosemary is croaking I was driving back from New Mexico through all of this. I drove to OKC and then hear. My son's house in one of the lowest spots in San Marcus made the news for the second time in a year. He said he had 2' of water in his parking lot. He moved his car onto of the sidewalk up to his steps to his second floor apartment. I had a very exciting drive through the storms on Friday ....See MoreEl Nino advice?
Comments (5)I'm located in Ontario, Canada but for part of this past Summer and Fall I frequently brought my succulents between outside from my roof (very bright and very hot) and inside my home (fairly dark and cool). Good water planning was important. I checked the forecast frequently and would water a day or two before bringing my plants inside. This ensured that my pots would never end up sitting with high % moisture while inside for a couple days. Even with soil mixes with quite low water retention, over watering was a distinct possibility if I was not careful. About 1 week indoors was my limit before etoliation started to show. Most of my succulents were actively growing throughout the summer. I would often get a streak of really good light/temperature days, but then suddenly stormy weather would roll in. Bringing them in for one or two days then was a non-issue and growth even improved (since it was cooler in my home than on my roof). However, with a week of bad weather the new growth on many of my plants was becoming less compact. Cool indoor conditions are so favourable for growth it wasn't feasible for me to slow my plants down in the poor light. If your succulents like growing in the winter, you face this issue as well. There was also a tremendous difference between my outdoor and indoor growing conditions (full sun vs mostly shade). If it's less of a difference for you it might have a lower impact. Is it possible for you to temporarily cover your succulents outdoors? For rainy days and minor storms, I just covered my grow areas with heavy duty clear plastic sheets. They were held down with large plastic spring clamps and bricks. This provided protection for the top and two sides of my shelves, while the other two sides were open for airflow. I found it was always a dilemma to bring my succulents in or not. If I bring them inside, the light exposure is terrible (even worse because I would bring them in on stormy days). But if I leave them outside there is a risk of over watering. Obviously, it's not very practical to repot your succulents now either (and maybe not even possible to use a mix that would be suitable for a wet winter vs a hot Cali summer). I know it doesn't help you much, but my final solution was to build and indoor grow light setup that is able to match (and even exceed) my outdoor full sun exposure. Then it became a seamless transition between growing indoors and out....See MoreEl Nino, Where Art Thou?
Comments (37)I grow fewer roses than I once did, and I could grow fewer still if I had too. I think going below about 50 would be painful. But really, roses are my favorite plant, not the only one I like. (Actually I like lilacs just as much, but only grow three.) I have native plants one area that used to be roses, and succulents in another. Both are really good-looking garden beds, and the natives attract birds. I was just out fine-tuning the succulent bed this afternoon. I'm learning as I go along, and it is getting better as I make adjustments. Like Jeri, I intend to always grow roses. I'd want fewer to care for anyway as I grow older. So far I am healthy and strong, and right now I can still do pretty much what ever I like (so long as I rest afterwards). When I get to my 80's and 90's I might want to be doing a lot less. And yes, I do hope to reach those ages, with garden work as my plan to make that happen!...See MoreUser
8 years agoPatty W. zone 5a Illinois
8 years agoJasminerose, California, USDA 9b/Sunset 18
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agocampv 8b AZ
8 years agoBethC in 8a Forney, TX
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8 years agolast modified: 8 years agonanadollZ7 SWIdaho
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