This time of year our thoughts turn to how hardy these succulents will be.
I've read different comments here from some who are leaving their plants out to harden them and I am curious to hear their results in their zone.
Two years ago I planted a succulent bed with some hardier succulents and some excess plants that are not known to be hardy.
From reading, it is recommended to leave them as dry as possible in winter so this bed is planted under the eaves of the greenhouse.
Last winter was milder and all was well in the succulent bed. The test will be these three nights of temps in the twenties.
Photos taken before the freeze.
Large unknown Aloe
Another unknown Aloe whose leaf edges turn red in the cold.
The real test will be this medicinal Aloe.
I have other cold hardy succulents in this bed but the Aloes will be tested in this recent cold.
I will report back in a few days to post how these survived.
In my experience:
They need to be gradually acclimated to the cold. In other words, don't just set them out on a cold night.
They need to be dry as more moisture will make them more prone to freezing.
They do not need fresh, lush growth which will be more tender.
Please post your experiences ~ both successes and failures so I can also learn from them (hopefully)!!!
