This is all that survived.........

Bikerdoc, I'm in Harrison Township just North of Detroit.

So you're just down the street and around the corner from me in WB Township.

No kidding! I work as an EMT in Oakland County!

Hey! If you guys are north of Detroit you must be near my boyfriends family. He wants to move there for a little while when I am done with school. How to do you mangage to keep your succulents happy in healthy in those long cold winters?!?

Greenhouse and lights.... lots of lights! Just to be clear, Erin is north and I am west. Since we don't know where your family lives, it's a bit hard to give location.

Hi Erin, Welcome back! I remember all your stapeliads that you had growing outside your house. I guess it is a whole different ball of wax growing your succulents now. Good to hear from you.

I still have my stapeliads wantonmara! They're just in a pot now! They're actually doing really well! I need to repot them in the next few weeks as a matter of fact!

Diva, I currently have all of mine in very well lit, south facing windows at the moment. They're actually thriving! I've been back in Michigan for a year and a half and the only real issue I've had is when I move them outside in the summer the stupid squirrels either knock them over or nibble on them! It's all about well draining soil and light! I cannot wait to move them back outside! Speaking of! Bikerdoc! What's a good time to move them outside? I've been moving them back out when the threat of frost has diminished and it's staying 50 or above during the day. What do you suggest??

I start with my Echeveria and jades end of April/first of May as you said, but I look at night time temps. As you know most of these, if relatively dry, will handle mid to lower 40's. This year I am going to try something different in that I will put them out in my mobile greenhouse covered with 70% shade cloth for about a week to 10 days then into full sun. I leave all of them out in the fall until we have the same night time temps and then bring them inside.

Howard

Good to know! Thank you Howard!

Erin, I saw a Phal orchid in one of your pics. I will be at the Michigan Orchid Society Show this weekend. I work for Robert's Flower Supply. The show is Saturday/Sunday at 876 Horace Brown St, Madison Hts, 48071.

Erin
nice to see you back - I was a newbie when you used to post...Good luck with your plants in colder environment (similar to where I am in Canada).
Howard
I always waited until night time temps are constantly around 50F - so could be little more adventurous...
Rina

Howard, I actually have two Phal Orchids. The one you see a glimpse of was just purchased for me yesterday. Seems I have a green thumb with them as well as cacti! Sadly, I won't be able to come to the show this weekend. My weekends are either spent with my children or doing emergency room rotations for medic school. This weekend I will be at St John in Detroit! Should be good fun! LOL

Rina! Good to see you again! I like to get my plants outside ASAP! It's much better for them plus they do a good bit of growing in the colder months! My big jade is already sprouting new leaves. I'm looking forward to more growth and I need to repot some of the little guys around the bottom! They're starting to crowd each other!

~Erin~