We’ve had a relatively mild winter so far. But this week, the temperatures at night will hit freezing. That’s why it’s time, once again, to get out the styrofoam cups to protect our cacti. The styrofoam protects cacti from freezing. I do wonder how they made it through cold freezing temps out in the wild, without the help of humans? Maybe they didn’t make it.
The one thing we haven’t had this winter is rain. There was a high pressure area that moved rain up north. My kids in the Bay Area had a very wet winter, but as you know So Cal did not. Rain missed us, too. February is the wettest month of the year, so I’m hoping we get rain then.
I’ve read the next two weeks will be very cold for most of the country. Thirty states will experience a Polar Vortex, bringing unusual weather with many areas below zero. Our coldest temperatures will be around 32 degrees, so we’re not in any danger. I just don’t like cold!
What is your weather forecast? Are you going to experience extreme cold? How do you prepare for it?
We are forecast for windchill below zero this week.
Too cold for me! Yikes!
We get 20’s at night and low 40’s during the day- no rain and no snow in the mtns. I love getting up in the morning anticipating that we’ve had fog overnight and seeing everything frosted over, although the fog is less since it’s so dry. I love that things look like they were lightly snowed on, but thankfully it’s not snow 🙂 I remember the first time I read about your weatherization needs on the blog. I laughed at how silly the cacti look. What did cacti do when no one came by with cups to cover them? Like nature was just fine until humans thought they needed to interfere. I think if the tips free it just means they won’t bloom the next season, or maybe not at all after the freeze?
That’s cold and you have the same dry weather we have. It’s supposed to rain here in the winter and we’ve had zero rain. We did have a wet year last winter. That’s what I was thinking, how did the cacti survive without us? I’ve been told that they die from the top down if they freeze.
I wonder if you can just cut off the dying parts of the cacti? Like how a tree will use cellular regeneration to cover over a cut on it’s trunk or when a limb is cut off. The area heals and new sprouts grow…
I don’t know how cacti work. I need to find out more information. We do have small cacti with dying arms. We could cut part off and see what happens. I think the cacti in our yard all came from a nursery 15 to 20 years ago. As transplants, maybe they aren’t as hardy as the ones in nature. They could have been imported from a warmer climate.
Yes, that all makes sense
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Omg.. I’m sorry, but that’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. Styrofoam cactus covers! Something you’ll never see in my part of the world.
I have to ask, why do you only protect the tips? Does the cold not affect the rest of the plant…
The cacti do look silly in styrofoam. Some neighbors wrap the entire plants in sheets. I’ve heard the tops freeze and then the cactus dies. The cup gives insulation. We shall see!
Thanks for the morning smile…😉
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. We have used the same cups each winter. I have to say some are filled with spikes! I ordered new ones that arrive today to finish the yard.
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It’s supposed to get stupid cold here tomorrow. Not looking forward ..
I can’t stand cold. I think stupid cold I would not like!
” Our coldest temperatures will be around 32 degrees…” Um, that’s it, I’m moving to Arizona!!! Yes, it gets hot there in the summer, but better than the snow and negative windchill that they’re talking about here. Ha, ha.
The bright side of our summers in Arizona is they are cooler than Palm Springs. Palm Springs gets up to 125 degrees. The hottest day here that I experienced was 110. I don’t do well in the cold, so I would not like your snow and windchill!
I have never heard of the Styrofoam cups protecting the cacti before! Interesting.
Its supposed to get down to 4 degrees with wind chill making it colder. Not looking forward to it!! Staying inside as much as I can and praying our heat keeps working!
Stay warm!
Yikes! Four degrees or colder. No thank you!
Yes! BRRRR!!! 🧊 🧊
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We have had such a mild winter… not that unusual, but it’s very worrisome how long it’s been since we’ve had a good rain. I think the lowest it will get is in the mid-40s at night. I don’t have any cacti, but I’ve had to protect succulents from frost in the past.
I imagine that ongoing climate change will require all of us – no matter where we live – to learn different gardening techniques.
We’ve also gone a long, long time without rain. Normally this is our rainy season. Like I said in my post, my kids had tons of rain this year in the Bay Area.
That was a smile for my morning here in a hot day in Australia. I would have drawn little faces on the cups 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed our Cacti Cups. Faces on the cups is a good idea. During Christmas, people put Santa hats on them.
Some people will do anything to make sure they don’t run out of tequila.
Ha! I haven’t covered up the Agave plants. But our neighbors have with sheets.
Interesting, the cactus with the cuts, it’s amusing.
I think it helps. At least we haven’t lost any cactus through the winters.
I enjoy your cactus cup photos. It seems like it shouldn’t be necessary to do that.
We had 1 degree this morning and didn’t get above freezing. Except for the dog walk, I stay indoors. We’ve been getting springtime-like winds. Not pleasant. No snow. Super dry here, too.
Wow. That is cold. It was 32 degrees when I woke up, but not sure what the overnight temperatures were. Yes, we have wind plus no rain.
I’ve never thought about cacti getting frost bite before; they do look weird with the cups, but I get it.
I hope everyone who needs it, gets some much needed rain, and soon!
It’s 58* here today and we’re enjoying it!!
It was freezing last night and this morning. I hope the cactus are enjoying their insulation!
32 is cold for Arizona! I love the cactus with their little “hats!”
It’s -11 here. 😔
Negative 11 sounds horrible! I don’t like 32 degrees. I’m bundled up inside.
We just pulled out of the polar vortex. Temps were -5F yesterday morning. A couple of days had a high of 10F. The snow amounts in the south are mind boggling and I’m so praying people survive since they are not equipped to handle this type of weather. I think it’s pretty ingenious to put the cups on the cacti! Hope it works!
Wow! I don’t think I could make in negative temperatures and highs of 10 degrees. I’ve been miserable with 32 degrees! I was thinking about the people in the south with snow. For one thing, people don’t know how to drive in the snow if they don’t have it often.
Driving in snow is definitely a skill set unique to the north and plain states!
It sure is! We used to get snow and ski in Western Washington, but I never did the driving. So I lack that skill.