[MollieW]

I know that the native cacti are suppose to be safe during the frost, but since I am not a native I don't know which are which. I do know that we have a lot of them. Is burlap enough to protect them? Thanks, Denise

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by MollieW

I know that the native cacti are suppose to be safe during the frost, but since I am not a native I don't know which are which. I do know that we have a lot of them. Is burlap enough to protect them? Thanks, Denise

Burlap should do it. You probably don't have native cactus.

[Danknee]

I had two cacti, didn't cover them last year and this is what the first freezing night did:



Poor guy, stood about 5 feet tall before his early death. The other one looked worse, but I can't find a picture.

[Cyborgt800]

No need to wrap them....just do this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQGJ0hEXJz...mas+cactus.jpg

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by Danknee

I had two cacti, didn't cover them last year and this is what the first freezing night did:



Poor guy, stood about 5 feet tall before his early death. The other one looked worse, but I can't find a picture.

Feed it two Viagra in a gallon of water.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Cyborgt800

No need to wrap them....just do this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQGJ0hEXJz...mas+cactus.jpg

I've seen them down here with styrofoam cups over the ends. That picture shows a much cuter idea (but not exactly suitable in a February freeze! )

[tijlover]

Doesn't it make a big difference with windchill, as it does with humans, or are plants different? I've always wondered that! Anyone know?

My windchill table, for example: 30 degrees, 20MPH wind = windchill of 4 degrees.

I know when I've bought plants in a nursery, it says protect under 40 degrees, as it freezes at a different temperature in the desert.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Danknee

I had two cacti, didn't cover them last year and this is what the first freezing night did:

Poor guy, stood about 5 feet tall before his early death. The other one looked worse, but I can't find a picture.

I've only lost one cactus in seven years. That's the same species in your picture. I don't think they do well here, if that's any consolation. Most of my cactus are "pad" type. They seem to do well no matter what the weather throws at them.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Doesn't it make a big difference with windchill, as it does with humans, or are plants different? I've always wondered that! Anyone know?

Yes, I know. Wind chill has absolutely no meaning with respect to plants.

[Buzz123]

If wind chill causes everything else to freeze faster why wouldn't it affect plants too?

I noticed today that some of our neighbors tied burlap around the top only of their big cacti. Is that all you need to do? It's not like they lose heat through their heads like we do.