How I almost killed my succulents!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238325)
Walnut Creek, California
October 30, 2018 11:17am CST
I could tell it was pretty seriously cold last night as I snuggled in my comforter this morning. It's 45 degrees F out right now (about 7 C, if my brain is working right), and I'm not sure what the low was.
Several years ago (I think I was still writing for "the site that will not be named"), I left my beloved jade plant on my balcony through a surprise cold snap, during which it froze every night here, and the highs were only in the 30s F.
My jade plant wilted, and I thought I had killed it. I was about to take it to the dumpster, when I saw a TINY sprout poking through near the bottom of the plant. And then I saw another. I cut off all of the wilted parts, and brought what was left inside. The plant was as healthy as ever within a few months.
Now, I bring my jade plants (including the one that almost died) inside when we're going to have more than one night of freezing weather in a row. Is there a lesson to be learned? I like to look for metaphor in day-to-day events. A literal lesson is to be aware of what your plants can handle. A more symbolic one might be: Never give up. Where there is life, there is hope.
9 people like this
9 responses
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
30 Oct 18
Love your message!
I was thinking about the plants yesterday, I will began the move inside this week, maybe today. I have about 10 different plants and a lemon tree.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
30 Oct 18
@TheHorse Huge plastic pot, biggest I could find 3` x 3` maybe. I slide a plastic black trash bag over the bottom to catch any water that might escape, I can then slide it across the carpet to the south window in the living room.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Oct 18
@andriaperry Ah, sounds good. Has it produced fruit yet?
2 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
31 Oct 18
That must have made your day when you saw life in your jade plant. It happens to me several times. That is why I love gardening
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135819)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Oct 18
We get cold enough to kill many types of succulents here. I already have mine in the greenhouse besides what I have brought inside. I need to bring a few more in too.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Oct 18
Succulents are pretty hearty plants.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51831)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Oct 18
Nice that you didn't lose your jade plant. They're also called money plants.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
29 Nov 18
Those are both good lessons. I have plants not in pots that can't be brought in. Frost can kill some of them. That's why I keep floating row covers around.
@sofssu (23660)
•
9 Nov 18
Our jades here have been getting leaf burn as the sun is pretty strong during the day. My succulents have been getting their winter colors..In this part of the world the colours look bright only in winter when the night temperatures dip. Glad you could save that jade. Jades are rugged plants at least here, its hard to kill one, unless of course you kill them with over watering and love.
