Cacti Wintering?

[viewer6922]

Bought the 3 kilo pack from BBB...been growing them for the summer. Now winter is coming, I bought them for landscaping beauty. I live in No. Cal., inland, usually rainy, windy and sometimes down to freezing temps here.
The question are: should I bring them in the house for the winter?
can I take cutting of the new growth now and replant those ? I have a Big landscape project. Thanks!

[dimension traveler]

I doubt that cali weather would harm your cacti, if out side just make sure you dont water very often expecially when it is cold. some like to bring them in and make it so they dont get any water or light for the whole winter (go dormant). if it were me I would just leave them outside and bring them inside and put them in a south facing window when you r expecting rain, and water like every 6 to 8 weeks.
You could take cuttings if you wanted but they will grow faster being connected to the stock that is rooted, but hey you might get new pups. If you do take cuttings, cut them when it is sunny and let the bottom dry out in the sun (usually takes a couple days) it will turn hard, that way you dont get rot, keep the new cuttings just a little moist for a few months so they can develop roots. If you do take cuttings I reccomend keeping them inside. Good Luck.

[cactuskid]

I know a cactus ranch in Nevada where it gets below freezing several times a year. They put foam cups over the tips of their Trichocereus to protect them, but they don't water at all in the cooler months.

[rocketman]

Its tough to say, but I start getting nervous at 40f, and anwhere lower than freezing is usually alright, but when there is moisture with the freeze its over for the trichos. I know that bridgesii are less hardy than the other trichos I have grown, so its a guessing game.

I know cactus in the ground grow much larger, healthier, and happily than their potted bretheren. Since you have so few then covering them all may be easy for you now. Its impossible to say one way or the other if they will live, but they have a good chance if you keep a good eye on them and cover them up with larger plastic pots or similar covering when it gets below 40f.

Again its not so much the temps they cant handle as much as it is the ice from any moisture present during that time.

[viewer6922]

they will live outside, I will not take cuttings until next spring. If in fact, if know the weather is going to be severe temp wise.....they are coming in. I want my summer landscaping to be fruitful and colourful....thanks ppl!

[dimension traveler]

just so you know if it makes you feel better. i as well live in cali southern and 1 mile from the beach where it is more humid I have had some pedros in the ground for a few years including winter and they do fine if I just dont water in the winter. although i have to say the ones that i do bring in and put in south window grow more year around. good luck peace

[themallacht]

Yes, I leave mine outside all winter and it doesn't seem to bother them at all.... I actually seem to get significant growth outside during the winter though... but they are in a really sunny location as well...

[beautypath]

My Trichocereus are all in the ground in the Sonoran desert of Arizona and winter quite well. The only time the tips were damaged was the winter of 2006-07 when it got down to 19 F. I doubt Northern California will get that cold unless you live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Keep up with the weather forecasts and if it looks like anything below 25 F put plastic cups on the tips. Just a little bit of insulation may save those growing tips.