Hi, Michael! I'm farther south, in Cape Coral, but will give you my experience. All of my plants are outside all year round. Most are in full sun, southern exposure.

Because of the rain and humidity, getting the right soil has been the biggest challenge for me. Cactus and Succulent soil holds way too much moisture and plants rot. It works ok for a short time, but not for the long term health of the plants. And if it dries out too much, it won't absorb any water and that leads to a different problem. I tried cutting the C&S soil with 50% perlite, but it was still too wet. So I have ultimately gone with Al's Gritty Mix for all my pots. Sand holds too much water and compacts around the roots, unless it is the horticultural sand, larger particles and gritty.

For the plants in the ground - sand is my enemy. So I have incorporated grit and/or perlite to loosen things up. So far, it has worked well. My beds are all elevated, so that also helps with drainage. I have an island that has shade from a palm pass over briefly at midday.

I, too, have trouble with Echeverias. E. Black Prince and E. Neon Breakers have done alright. I have a new E. pulvinata that is still doing well, so maybe the soil issue has been resolved.

Echeveria agavoides has done quite well.

Sedum adophii, Graptosedums, especially Vera Higgins and California Sunset have also done well both in pots and PIG. I like the different colors.

I really like the different Aloes and some of the smaller Agaves. I have no room for a 7-foot plant, no matter how gorgeous it is! That's Senecio blue chalk sticks in the background.

Kalanchoes look good. I have a lot of K. luciae (flapjacks or paddle plants) from just 4 original plants. My Blossfeldiana does well in pots, but really fried when I planted it on the island. K. marnierana has done well in full sun, so I think I'll try it in the ground.

Hope that helps!

In front of the house, full sun, minimal irrigation:

Love your Bromeliads!

Thanks for the feedback. I think the takeaway for me here is: Work on my mix. Apparently I was wrong in thinking sand would be good for drainage. Once I get the mix right, I can go back to playing with light levels.

I got this planter as a gift and it works really well for succulents, it airs out and I only water when dry.

At the Leu gardens sale I saw similar planters but they were better decorated than mine, they also had natural ornaments like driftwood, stones, etc.

Here is mine and gets morning sun, needs to be decorated.:)

Silvia

As this is the first time anything like this has happened (that I noticed at least) I am pretty sure this is just coincidence, but today my YouTube app has been suggesting videos on growing succulents. Funny and odd at the same time.

Michael - all of mine are in the original potting mix from the growers. The balance of the pots are filled with tiny pebbles. Immediate drainage.