Mid winter succulent check up

[Chrisg]

I used a gap in the rain to have a quick look in the cold frame and greenhouse. With the winter being so lacking in cold so far I was curious how the plants were doing. I have found with my plants that as long as things stay above -3 then the vast majority of my plants will cope without problems if dry. The plants in the cold frame all look great for this time of year.


coldframe1-02


coldframe1-03

With the work on the house it is a little difficult to get to the green house, I had to squeeze down between the side and the fence, but having started to wake up from my usual lack of interest in plants over the darkest part of winter, I wanted to see what was going on. Again I am pleased to see everything looking so good.


greenhouse-01

All the echeverias not suffering their usual die back.

greenhouse-02

There are still a fair few aloes in full flower. Normally they have a break at this time of year.

greenhouse-03

Sadly I have no doubt that we have no where near seen the back of the worst of the weather, but the long the mild weather to date will really help them should the worst happen.

[LONGK]

That is a relief for you I'm sure - a bad winter on top of the house alterations would have been a nightmare.
The few that I have look good too. Kalanchoe x houghtonii is even in bud in the greenhouse.

I've been a little cheeky and downloaded a photo - could you tell me the name of the one that I've highlighted.....................



It looks similar to one that I was sent labelled as a Yucca?

[Chrisg]

That is a relief for you I'm sure - a bad winter on top of the house alterations would have been a nightmare.
The few that I have look good too. Kalanchoe x houghtonii is even in bud in the greenhouse.

I've been a little cheeky and downloaded a photo - could you tell me the name of the one that I've highlighted.....................

It looks similar to one that I was sent labelled as a Yucca?

It is a specific agave parryi I have most commonly seen it labelled as hk1684 which is the seed collection number. It is nice and blue with good dark almost balck spines. Once they clear a path to the greenhouse I'll get you a proper photo.

[LONGK]

It is a specific agave parryi I have most commonly seen it labelled as hk1684 which is the seed collection number. It is nice and blue with good dark almost balck spines. Once they clear a path to the greenhouse I'll get you a proper photo.

Thanks. I'll take some detailed shots of mine, but from what I've read it's fitting the description of an A.parryi so far. Certainly not Yucca kitchiokan. One other name that cropped up is A.potatorum.

[Chrisg]

Ah it is probably agave kissho kan, or whatever the non variegated form is called. here are both of mine


agave kisshokans

It is a form of potatorum so your names are not wrong, just the yucca bit. It is a stunning plant that should be more widely grown. Sadly not hardy and to be honest looks best kept out of any rain to get those leaves a blue as possible.

[Chrisg]

A simple to tell potatorum is the terminal spines have a nice twist to them, you can see it on the photo above.