Plant people question.

[Doreen]

Should I be moving my Chicks and hens pot out of the snow?

[SWBTATTReg]

1. I always did...nt

[Doreen]

2. Move out of direct snow or inside?

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Well, they are tender plants, you don't want them to freeze. Inside if possible to get below ...

freezing.

[Doreen]

4. Yeah, mine seems slightly frozen.

I will set it up inside. Kill the first cat who touches it........just kidding. Thank You.

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Thanks for the laugh! At least take a set or two inside then you'll have backups if they freeze...

outside!

[Doreen]

8. I only have one pot. I have had it for years....I mean years.

I however ignored it for some time and it almost died before summer. I went on a crusade to save it and it came to life and seems happy. I worked so hard at saving it I do not want to lose it. For years it was an outdoor plant all year and it did fine and that is probably because we did well at watering it during the summer when it did not rain. I say we because I took possession of it in my divorce. Sad thing is It was my ex's plant. We have remained friends so he was not to upset. This is the only plant that has not completely died on me. Close but I got my ass in gear and started to care for it. I even go out on my patio and talk to it. I just put in and it already told me it is happy.

[SWBTATTReg]

12. Hey, you are doing great! I supposedly have a green thumb, but haven't been able to keep...

those Hens and chicks alive when I got from my Mom and others. They are fussy I think, especially in watering routines, but I don't worry about now, as I simply just go to the Mo. Botanical Gardens (have an yearly membership) which has all of these plants to enjoy. Take care of yourself. By the way, they do rapidly spread too so if need be, and if you want to of course, give one back to ex.

The talking does the best thing I think, as well as helping you too!

[SWBTATTReg]

5. I pulled some up Hens and chicks stuff on the internet, got this info for you....

The site is:

https://www.twotwentyone.net/growing-hens-and-chicks/

Here are some random hens and chicks growing facts and tips:

• they prefer full to part sun (I grow mine in full sun)

• they grow best in zones 4-8 (I’m on the border of 5-6). Find what zone you live in here.

• provide good drainage

• don’t over-water– these are drought resist, but make sure you give them enough water during the summer heat

• they live for 2-3 years– but since they reproduce so many chicks you’ll never have to buy more

• a hen will grow a tall center stalk that blooms before the plant dies

• I keep mine outside during the winter months and they do fine. I do pull them closer to the house though.

[royable]

11. Perhaps there are different varieties of hens and chicks...

but as a kid in rural Maine, I grew them in my mother's raised flower beds, using them to prevent erosion of soil between the stones making up the perimeter of the bed. This was where in the winter it would get down to 20, 30, 40 below zero. The plants thrived from year to year. They're probably still there now.

[yonder]

16. I'd echo that too. Must be a variety thing

We moved into our house 34 years ago and with it came 3 pots of them. Kept on our north facing porch in our high desert climate, they've required zero, and I mean zero (including water) maintenance. Most winters might see lows of 0-5, but we've had a few extended cold snaps of -20 to -25, while averaging 12 inches of precipitation a year.

Several years ago one pot got knocked over and broke, the other two are still going strong.

[Retrograde]

7. Need more information

Where do you live? How deep a freeze is expected? How big and easy to move is the pot?

We get freezes here in the Bay Area - usually not much below 30, but it does happen. People here tend to cover their more vulnerable plants with sheets (yes, the ordinary bedsheet kind) when frosts are predicted. Plants can be surprisingly resistent: I've seen jade plants go limp after a freeze only to bounce back after a few months.

[Doreen]

9. I live in Washington state ( not much sun. )

I put it where it can get the most light possible.

[MissB]

10. My yard looks like a Halloween display

I have “ghosts” here and there. Really, I only have a few tender plants that need covering, and I put sheets on last night. I use bamboo poles for the larger plants like daphne so that the plant doesn’t get crushed by the sheet. I don’t want to break a bunch of branches.

Anyway, I throw them on with threat of snow or ice. Around here that is a day or theee during the winter. It’s all you need unless it’s going to be a long deep freeze.

[Doreen]

13. I have just one pot. I have always had a black thumb except for this plant.

It seemed slightly frozen when I went out to check it ( it looked cold. ) I have it inside now next to my sliding glass door for light. With a plant that has survived me I need to keep caring for it with love ( yeah, I sound sick. ) There is only one other plant that lived for years for me. It was cactus. One year it bloomed a flower then died. I do not understand why. It always seemed so happy right up to when it died. I was sad for awhile ( kind of still am. )

[MissB]

14. I'm sorry about your cactus!

I have one that seems to survive despite my benign neglect. For some reason, I can grow aloe like crazy and I don’t even particularly like it!

I’m sure your plant will be fine. Keep it watered - it may take a slight hit from the cold but I bet it’ll survive!

[Doreen]

15. Yeah, it is a tuff little plant.

It has to be for surviving me. It is now warm and toasty but not cat free. I fixed it so the hanging parts are laying on the table to not attract kitties as much. I am nervous about the table not being steady but it is the only thing I have for it. Watering it will be a challenge as the pot has its own drainage. I will just take it outside water it and after it does its proper drain bring it back in. I should really put a towel on the table.

[IcyPeas]

17. educational succulent group on facebook

I love this group. tons of pictures, tons of questions and answers. very knowledgeable people. I am trying to take better care of my succulents and get to know their needs (they are all different and I was kind of treating them all the same). example: I learned that some are dormant in summer and some are dormant in winter.... who knew?

This group is about learning and teaching all related matters pertaining to Cacti and Succulent plants. In this group, we will be sharing photos, knowledge and experiences about all kinds of succulents. Plant breeding/propagation, pest control, diseases and prevention, plant identification, physiology, plant abnormalities are just a few of the topics we will focus on.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/863399497042950/

[2naSalit]

18. Believe it or not...

I had an outdoor patch of them in, get this, the Rocky Mountains at nearly 7,000ft elev. and they got covered with snow and lived through -20 to-40F during the winter, And my neighbors had a bigger patch. They may be more vulnerable in a pot since the roots aren't in the ground and the pot can exacerbate the cold shock.

If they're in a pot, you might take them in... they are tougher than you think!

[Doreen]

19. Yeah

My plant survived in snow and freezin fo years but when I almost killed it and lovingly saved it just in the beggining of last summer I am afraid it might be more sensitive. I want it to thrive longer before I expect it to be tough again

[2naSalit]

20. That makes sense...nt