Cold Climate Cactus

It is nearing the end of March and the Pediocactus simpsonii var. minor are starting to show some flower buds. These plants bloom really really early in the season and I'm hoping to see plenty of seeds too. Very exciting...

We are possibly getting snow tonight, so the cold frames are all closed with the cold climate cacti in them. These plants could be snowed on and do just fine, if they were all growing directly in the ground. These plants are in flower pots and will do much better under the protection of the cold frames.

Today was a great day to plant a few Cholla plants. I bought a few plants in a Colorado greenhouse last fall. Last fall one pot was planted outdoors while the rest were kept in a window in an unheated room. The one planted outside was under snow most of the winter and did great, and so did the plants in the unheated room. Now they are all planted outdoors together, and should grow into a great formation. Some Opuntia pads were also planted outdoors. This is the best time of year to plant Opuntia and Cholla type plants because it is just before they go through a rapid growth period. When they are planted in the early spring they will grow new pads and lots of new roots too, which will help them become well established plants in one growing season.

Just this week the snow melted off of the cold frame lids. This is the snow that started to build up at the end of November, so the cacti have been under snow for almost 4 months. The cactus plants look great and are still in their winter sleep stage with no signs of new growth. It has been cloudy for the week and this will help these plants get use to the sun again.

A few disappointments... a Glandulicactus in as a cold frame trial didn't survive, and a mole dug up some seedlings in small pots. The seedlings I could find will live, but I'm missing a few Pediocactus seedlings I really wish I could find.

Next fall I will have to find some natural product to keep the moles out of the cold frames. I've had mice, but they never dig up any cactus plants.

Cactus seedlings that were planted last May in 2009 and started outdoors spent the winter indoors. These seedlings have been under artificial lights from November through March. They have actually grown a little over the past few months and look very healthy. They will go outdoors again when night time temps are in the 40s or higher. They will need to be under shade cloth when they are put back outdoors. It is very exciting to see most of them healthy and looking good.