This is also the time when some succulents, including cactus, can get severely burned. Temps can rise very quickly. A couple of years ago, I recorded a rise of 25 degrees F within an hour! It peaked at 115F. The sun is also lower in the sky now, so it peeks under eaves that normally provide shade to sun sensitive plants. Anyone who has lost a favorite plant to severe burn, (guilty), will start moving potted plants and covering ground dwellers when the weather reports call for another Santa Ana!
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| A couple of hours later |
This one is delosperma spalmanthoides. It was in mostly shade, but a short dose of sun caused this burn. I have no doubt it will recouperate.
Aeonium 'voodoo'. This is growing in dappled shade in the morning, full shade the remainder of the day. Sun was hot enough to burn the tender center leaves within an hour.
Dracaena marginata. One branch grew too far out from underneath the eaves of our house and suffered pretty severe burn. The growing point is protected, so it should recover well.
Sedum hispanicum. Doesn't like heat; doesn't like full sun. Should recover once Autumn is in full swing. Notice the larger sedums did fine?
Your weather is quite different from ours. We have only 10 clecius and it's cloudy and rainy. I like succulents too. Maybe I could get some succulents and grow them indoors.
ReplyDeleteWow, what I wouldn't give for 10C right now! There are many succulent fans who live in colder regions and are very successful growing indoors. With a few adaptations, I'm sure you will too.
DeleteYowsa, that is TOOO hot! I'm glad you brought up the fact that cacti can burn in the sun, a lot of people think they're totally immune to heat and light, then wonder why their cacti died.
ReplyDeleteI was one of those assuming people, but after burning a few cacti, I know better!!
DeleteAn interesting side note...The hottest region in North America is the Mohave Desert, where summer temps can stay over 100F for months at a time. Although one might expect to see lots of cacti there, in fact the majority of the plants are annuals and shrubs, adapted to extreme sun, heat, and soil alkalinity. Cacti tend to grow in the shade of shrubs, rocks, and hillsides.
Hi AG, Looks like Santa Ana can really strike a heavy hand, and 40+ degrees celcius is unbearable for any organism I think. Perfect weather for an icy cold drink and a dip though. Be sure to cover up! :)
ReplyDeleteYep...spent the day in the pool.
DeleteSurely seems a little sweaty there - guess everyone is sort of just hanging around - reminds me of an old saying from the Karoo days, "Son, it is so hot, the dog chases the cat, but both walk" :-)
ReplyDeleteCute saying! I like the word "Karoo". Does that mean "desert"?
DeleteKaroo is a region in the semi-desert Northern Cape, biggest of the 3, Namaqualand, Little Karoo and Karoo. First being the home of Argies, Cono's, and Gibbaeums, Cono amoung the little Karoo plants with Lithops more in Karoo.
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