Many plants can be planted directly into the ground and can be dug up in the fall. They then can be over wintered in a cool and bright spot. Some plants can be left in their pots and plant pot and all in the garden and remove them in the fall. Both of these methods produce growth that exceeds comparable plants grown in pots in the house or greenhouse. They transpire in the cool of the evening to minimize water loss.
Carbon dioxide is taken up at night and stored until photosynthesis can occur during the day.
A problem for the home grower is that temperatures may not fall sufficiently for the plants to open their stomates to take up carbon dioxide. Warm summer nights or warm house temperatures may mean little or no carbon dioxide intake and poor growth. Each species will have different requirements, but good growth can only occur when night temperatures fall enough to allow adequate carbon dioxide to enter the plant. Cacti and succulents will survive in conditions that do not promote growth, but flowering is unlikely to occur. SOIL Always use a soil mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents.