Over wintering Aeoniums

Magical Meerkat

Hello,

I have a large collection of Aeoniums which I've had for years and had planned to install a greenhouse before this winter set in. However I haven't been able to. 

Normally I bring them all inside for the winter, much to my boyfriend's dismay. He thinks they smell of cat pee. Hahaha. 

Do you think if I bought a mini wooden greenhouse (tall coldframe style) and insulated it with bubble wrap they would survive. It would be against our garage wall, which is West facing. I could also buy some fleece to cover them on the coldest nights. 

I live in South Dorset we rarely get frosts. Last year they stayed outside until early Dec, because it was so mild. 

My friend keeps hers in a cold greenhouse and they survive. But I'm wondering if a small coldframe won't provide enough protection sue to the size? 

Any ideas?

Hostafan1

A neighbour of mine , in N Devon, leaves her out all year

Magical Meerkat

Yeah I have heard of people in Cornwall and Devon doing that. 

Last year I accidentally left a huge Velour outside and it had a few cold nights before I found it. I brought it inside, whereby it promptly died over the next few weeks. I'm not sure if the cold killed it or the sudden change of going into a heated house! 

Hostafan1

Magical Meerkat said:

Yeah I have heard of people in Cornwall and Devon doing that. 

Last year I accidentally left a huge Velour outside and it had a few cold nights before I found it. I brought it inside, whereby it promptly died over the next few weeks. I'm not sure if the cold killed it or the sudden change of going into a heated house! 

if it was cold, it'd have died in hours, not weeks

Fairygirl

They'd need brought in by the end of October here, if not earlier. 
@Hostafan1 is right - if it was cold, it would already have succumbed long before being brought in. 

KeenOnGreen

I keep ours in an unheated greenhouse, with no fleece or bubble wrap.  We are in London, so not many hard frosts.  They look pretty awful by the end of Winter, but most survive.  The biggest problem I find is actually Mealybug infestation, that seems to do more damage than the cold.  I spray them with water mixed with detergent, which seems to only partially work.

My strategy is to create as many cuttings as possible for the start of Winter, so that I can afford to lose some.

Meomye

@Magical Meerkat So glad you asked this question. I picked up a very young one of these at a plant fair earlier this year and have no idea how to look after it, to be honest I did not even know what I was buying! I bought it into my unheated conservatory recently. Any advice on what to do with it next year (if it survives the winter) would be be appreciated. t i a

Fairygirl

I just used mine as part of a pot display in summer, next to the house, then they came in for autumn onwards. 
I keep meaning to get another one of the dark ones. I love them  

Magical Meerkat

Thanks everyone. I've ordered the mini greenhouse and decided to risk half of them inside it this winter. Eek. I can get bubble wrap from work and will order some fleece. 
I love them to, I have lots of different types and would be gutted it they all died, so only the spares/cuttings will go outside. 

Meomye. It should be fine in a conservatory, keep an eye on it. I have to water mine inside due to the central heating drying them out, but the conservatory might be cool enough to not need much. Just watch the leaves and if they go wrinkly give it a little drink. Once it starts to warm up next year start hardening it off and putting it outside for a few hours everyday, gradually getting it used to outdoors. Start somewhere shady! They can can sunburnt, if they haven't been outside for months. After 2 weeks, leave it outside to enjoy the summer.

Fairy girl definitely get more. There are so many amazing colours. 

Fairygirl

I only like the dark ones @Magical Meerkat 

Magical Meerkat

I thought I did until I bought more. Have you looked at Surreal Succulents. I've bought loads from them. Voodoo is nice and dark and Firecracker is a dark red with green centre. I could easily fill the garden with them.