Melting

Unfortunately, the title of this post seems like it has two meanings today. With the temperature forecast to break 60ºF (15ºC) and reach almost that for the next few days, the snow will surely be gone soon.

Which means that I'm starting to think about surveying the plants that had a not-too-certain chance to make it through the winter. I'll wait until it's warmer to take a close look at each of these, but for now a long lens through the window will get me a preview.

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I had three Agaves going into this winter, and now I'm not sure if I have any.

These two look pretty sad, and the third is still buried under the snow. I'm not making predictions yet, but something tells me I'll have an empty bed here this year.

The Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is still upright, which is a good sign:

There are plenty of visitors (deer) moving past these beds...

...and the Yucca nana has been trimmed by something:

I have to think it's rabbits though, as deer would surely have taken a bigger bite. Ignore the pruning and it looks to be in good shape though.

I can't see most of the Opuntia and other cactus from the window, but if I step onto the front porch I can see some potted Opuntia cacanapa 'Ellisiana':

They look very floppy and not very promising, but compared to this pad...

...the rest of them look fantastic. I'll have to wait and see with this species. It's a bit disappointing.

What's not disappointing though is my Yucca rostrata:

I kept it back against the house on the porch, and it's looking just fine!

The Cylindropuntia whipplei too:

I'm so glad it's handled our cold, cold temperatures this year. I know it's different when it's in the ground and exposed to the moisture -- it's the wet that kills most of these during winter -- but I'm optimistic.

A closer look in the next couple of days may ruin my mood though.

I'm looking forward to the snow melting though!

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