Hello all,

Utah, despite climate change's best efforts, had a wildly amazing winter this past winter. Lots of snow and lots of cooler days than the typical last decade. I'm not sure if that is the problem or not with this cactus, but I'm concerned it's dying. I'm also curious if I need to cut it back a bit.

I live in Ogden UT (northern Utah.. about 45 minutes north of SLC). Here are some pics of my cactus garden and the cactus in question. Feel free to ignore the almost, but not quite done window well. The cactus in question is the tall one in the corner.

I do have water sprinklers that water the grass. I have them aimed away from the cacti, but real life is what it is and I'm sure they are getting more water than they prefer. OTH, they've been getting this same treatment since 2015 and obviously seem to be taking it in stride for the most part.

Yeah, its frostbitten alright. Cut out the dead bits and the plant may yet live.
Cylindropuntia imbricata is somewhat hardy, but I feel like the conditions and limits have been greatly exaggerated since i had a similar experience...
Idk. Hard grown, wet tolerant etc. If you want to grow it, best take something grown outdoors full time.
If that is still the case, than you may just have had a freak winter lowering your hardiness zone...

Seems like you're at the far end of its hardiness zone, and the super cold winter almost did it in.
I'd cut off the dead parts, it will probably come back.
Any spare segments can be restarted.
Don't water.
Don't fertilize.
You might consider covering or mulching it next winter, just a little bit of protection can sometimes get them through.
Many cactus in cold climates tend to hug the ground for winter warmth. You only see really tall opuntia clumps and upright columnar growers in warm climates. The tall parts are much more susceptible to freezing.
There are some nice cold-hardy agaves that would fit right in your garden...

Thanks much, both of you!

I cut off the bad parts as much as possible. We'll see what happens.

I'll have to look into these agaves

engineer1984 said: Thanks much, both of you!

I cut off the bad parts as much as possible. We'll see what happens.

I'll have to look into these agaves

You have a native agave (agave utahensis) to your region, it might be hardy where you are right now. I couldnt think of anything else...

Also, a varieties of sempervivums, some sedums, lewisia, delopserma, and opuntia fragilis would work out in your zone. But drainage would be 80% gravel on most of these. Not plain soil...
Also yucca gloriosa and filamentosa are options(though id recommend the former and with pruning)
Id say get the variegated gloriosa but that one...might not be hardy enough....