Hardy cacti from North American are mostly native in the southern and western states of USA: New-Mexiko, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and also in Oklahoma, Nevada, Texas, Kansas, Californien, Nebraska, Montana und Wyoming. In Kanada they can found up to the 57th latitude.
Many differant hardy cacti and Yuccas are known in New-Mexiko, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California and located in altitudes between 1500-2500m above sea-leval, the most important types being: Opuntia, Echinocereus, Escobaria, Pediocactus, Sclerocactus as well as the typical accompanging plants of Yuccas.
In most of the areas where hardy cacti grow, the sun shines approx 2700-3500 hours/year. This is twice as much as in Germany. Rainy days are also greatly less, as is the amount which falls. In the U.S.A. , e.g., most of the cactus regions have 30-90 days and 100-400 mm of rainfall/square metre per year. Where as in Germany it is 150-200 days and 500-1000 mm.
In the south, the states of Arizona, California, and New-Mexico (31st-36th latitude) at altitudes of 1500-2000m above sea-level. Experience frost down to -20°C on 60-120 days although during the daytime it is generally frost free. One also finds there areas where there is daytime frost, though seldom more than 10 days/year. Some cacti stemming from such southerly locations experience therefore problems in other areas with long periods of frost.
Weather information for the USA from 2000-2008 southern areas
In the central u.s. states of Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Kansas (36th-41st latitude) at altitudes of 1500-2000m above sea-level, one finds approx 120-150 days of frost down to -30°C, and often on 15-20 days/year during daytime depending on the areas. Plants from latter locations mostly withstand our winter temperatur even when the pots are completely frozen. The plants are not nevertheless belong to most robust varieties and types in Germany.
Weather information for the USA from 2000-2008 central areas
In the northern u.s. states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Dakota and Montana (41 th.-49 th. latitude) at altitudes of 1000-2000m above sea-level, minimum temperatures of down to -40°C, and approx. 120-180 days/year are common, and most areas suffer harsh frosts on 30-50 days during daytime, These plants are often robust, but some clones suffer badly from winter dampness and the plants in their natural habitat are normally protected by a blanket of snow for weeks on end which is warmer and drier.
Weather information for the USA from 2000-2008 northern areas
In Germany, regions with 500-800 mm rainfall/year have good conditions for outdoor plantbeds. After proper preparation, one can plant many varieties in the garden without rain protection.
Weather information for Germany for regions with less rainfall
On the other hand the whole of northern Alps, the region of the Ruhr as well as northwest Germany are rainy, so in these areas rain protection is often necessary. For the above, however, much practical experience also exits for cactus gardens without rain protection.
Weather information for Germany for regions with more rainfall
