Recommend a hardy, upright succulent please!

Discussion in 'Cacti and Succulents' started by Selleri, Apr 18, 2021.

  1. Selleri

    Selleri Koala

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2009
    Messages:
    2,404
    Location:
    North Tyneside
    Ratings:
    +7,559
    I'm going to treat myself to a large (45 or 50 cm) bowl planter and would like to have something upright or big or odd from the world of hardy succulents.

    I already have various Semprevivums and Echeverias and some trailing Sedums plus something else trailing I sew this spring (no idea what) so am looking for something contrasting. A big rock would also fit the bill :biggrin:

    Opuntia is a possibility, but I'm not totally convinced it would take cold and wet North East winters even though the container would spend the winter under glass table to keep it dry.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks!
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • flounder

      flounder Super Gardener

      Joined:
      Apr 26, 2020
      Messages:
      753
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      RETIRED!!
      Location:
      Brighton
      Ratings:
      +1,541
      Agaves montana, parryi and utahensis, or aloe striatula. How about a trichocereus or an oreocereus? Or, as you said already, you could get stabby with opuntias. These really should come supplied with a pair of tweezers.
      If you want to lose some blood, a number of puya would be my choice
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jan 25, 2013
        Messages:
        5,862
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
        Ratings:
        +13,960
        Aeonium 'Swarztkopf', every time! Kept just frost free, it survives outside here. Very easy to do from cuttings, so you could keep a couple of 'babies' inside as a precaution.
         
        • Like Like x 4
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          47,718
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +84,358
          Aloe striatula is the only one I find reliably hardy, even that falls over at around 3feet high.
          Opuntias, yes, but the upright tree like ones tend to be tender, and the spines are something else.
          The upright columnar cacti that appear to be hardy are not easy to find, I don't think. :scratch:
           
          • Like Like x 2
          • Selleri

            Selleri Koala

            Joined:
            Mar 1, 2009
            Messages:
            2,404
            Location:
            North Tyneside
            Ratings:
            +7,559
            Thanks, this is very inspiring! I hadn't actually considered true cacti but after googling some they might be worth a try. I had Aeonium but lost it one winter, my fault as I had left it in a deep pot and it was way too wet- or perhaps it flowered itself to death :scratch: I will get one for sure.

            Regarding the cacti, I have various columnar cacti around the house, do you think any look like they might make it outdoors? The Bad Boy Euphorbia will probably not, but what about the seed grown youngsters of unknown variety? The tallest are about 20cm tall, and very vigorous if I give them water. I also have rooted cuttings of Opuntia Microdacys, another small Opuntia and Crassula Gollum, perhaps worth a try?

            Badboy.jpg kinderngarten.jpg seedlings.jpg
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              47,718
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +84,358
              Difficult to say what would be hardy enough outside with a winter rain shelter.
              Also depends on how bad the winter is.
              I'm sceptical that any of those will survive, but you never know.
              I've got a reliably hardy Opuntia that makes a couple of feet tall with some support, I could send you an unrooted cutting if you like.
               
              • Friendly Friendly x 2
              • Like Like x 1
                Last edited: Apr 18, 2021
              • Purple Streaks

                Purple Streaks Gardener

                Joined:
                Aug 13, 2012
                Messages:
                470
                Location:
                Sconthorpe
                Ratings:
                +699
                I have had a succulent in the garden for 10 years we are exposed to the elements of the weather .
                It is from the puya family has a beautiful yellow torchlike flower 3ft high
                It is quick growing and clumps up , though it has a spikey type leaf........But not too bad compared to some

                I will gladly send you a rooted peice .

                pm me if you would like to try this.
                 
                • Friendly Friendly x 2
                • Selleri

                  Selleri Koala

                  Joined:
                  Mar 1, 2009
                  Messages:
                  2,404
                  Location:
                  North Tyneside
                  Ratings:
                  +7,559
                  @pete @Purple Streaks , thanks, that's really awfully kind of you! :love30:

                  I'm still undecided and doing hard core Googling. :)
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                    Joined:
                    Jan 9, 2005
                    Messages:
                    47,718
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired
                    Location:
                    Mid Kent
                    Ratings:
                    +84,358
                    Blimey this sounds interesting.;)

                    So what is it?
                    Do you have a picture.
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Purple Streaks

                      Purple Streaks Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Aug 13, 2012
                      Messages:
                      470
                      Location:
                      Sconthorpe
                      Ratings:
                      +699
                      Just been out with the torch.Checked the worse for wear label can only make out a few, says 'puya ,as,torchlike ,aloe Sandy soilsAugust.
                      . Will check out my photos next.
                       
                      • Like Like x 2
                      • pete

                        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                        Joined:
                        Jan 9, 2005
                        Messages:
                        47,718
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired
                        Location:
                        Mid Kent
                        Ratings:
                        +84,358
                        I had a Puya, which I planted out last spring.
                        I looked at it a couple of weeks ago and the whole plant fell to pieces.
                        The frost had finished it off even though I had covered it.
                         
                      • Purple Streaks

                        Purple Streaks Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Aug 13, 2012
                        Messages:
                        470
                        Location:
                        Sconthorpe
                        Ratings:
                        +699
                        I'm looking for photos today so you will all know what this plant looks like. I.Will also check the photos of a member who posts on here .I've sent a few pieces out to friends,one friend describes it as a triffid !


                        I first bought the plant from the succulent area in a 3 inch pot , 3 leaves .........
                         
                        • Informative Informative x 1
                          Last edited: Apr 19, 2021
                        • CarolineL

                          CarolineL Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Jun 12, 2016
                          Messages:
                          1,597
                          Gender:
                          Female
                          Occupation:
                          Retired Software engineer
                          Location:
                          Rural Carmarthenshire
                          Ratings:
                          +4,304
                          I had a puya alpestris I grew from seed (repotting was very painful!). It was left outside all year in Nottinghamshire and grew quite happily and flowered. It died when I forgot to water it one summer, but had stood the winters no problem.
                           
                          • Informative Informative x 1
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice