what do you all purchase for frost protection of your cacti and succulents?

Question

If this winter is a repeat of the last two, I'm afraid some of my less hardy plants won't make it through!!  Previously, I've used whatever i had around the house, but this year I'd like to purchase actual landscape blankets/covers, etc.

Charles R · Answer

To help save those delicant plants, try putting Christmas Tree Lights on them, when they announce those Frost Warnings.  Then use the Frost Protection Blankets you were talking about.  The Heat of the Bulbs will give off heat. Maybe just enough to save them.  I've used this trick for years.

Karen M · Answer

i never thought of that!!!  great idea!  i will definitely pick up some extra light sets...'tis the season, after all! ;)

Douglas Hunt · Answer

What a great idea, Charles. I have a couple of young citrus trees and the nursery told me to go to an appliance or furniture store and get large boxes to put over them. I must admit I wasn't thrilled with the idea of keeping giant boxes on hand through the danger zone.

Trent · Answer

Break the boxes down and store them until needed. A little tape makes them good to go again
Trent, winter haven

Karen M · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.  keep them coming!

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

You can get them on line at Farmtek. Here is a link for the frost fabric http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies//ProductDisplay?catalogId=10052&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=FarmTek&productId=68771

Karen M · Answer

Thank you Four Season Nursery...that's a great resource.  I'd never seen farmtek.com and there's a lot of useful products.  Much appreciated!

Vicki · Answer

I use old white T-Shirts over my plants overnight during freezing temp and remove after 9am to let sun to warm them during day time.

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

Your welcome! Hope it all makes it to warmer weather..

Kate Schleinkofer · Answer

I use either plastic soda bottles with the bottoms removed or simple glass covers

Susan Stodola · Answer

I live in the far northeast Wisconsin. Someone gave me a couple ears from her cactus and told me to just stick them in the ground. I had a handful of foster children at the time, plus my own three, and in all the drama that naturally occurs with 7 children, I forgot about her gift in the brown paper bag until about three days later. The kids had trampled it underfoot in the back of the van and it was pretty sorry looking. But my friend told me to just stick them in the ground and they would do fine. Not only did they survive, but they have done marvelously.......interesting note......someone told me the cacti produce something like 'anti-freeze' that keeps them from freezing in the winter. Our barn cats preferred to sit on them when they hung around the house. By spring, the plants would be all smashed and bedraggled looking. But warm weather and the first spring rain would have them turning green and plump looking, no worse for wear. From the initial 3 ears, I now have dozens. That was about 12 years ago. I have never covered them and while they are next to the house, we get -30 degree weather here.

DORLIS · Answer

Most of my succulents are in pots and come inside along with the orchids for the winter. Even my native Missouri cacti didn't make it. We have clay soil and it holds too much water in cold months. You could try amending the soil with 'cherry stone' about 1/4' sharp stone to mix into the soil in almost equal portions. Succulents do not like wet soil. The same for a lot of rock garden plants. I had to do this for my lavender, rosemary and a lot of herbs.

what do you all purchase for frost protection of your cacti and succulents?

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what do you all purchase for frost protection of your cacti and succulents?

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