Ardie: Puya dyckoides has been our most successful species here outdoors and flowers every year now. Since its been in the ground (2003) we've dropped to 12F. P. chilensis hangs on in a very dry location, but we've killed most others. Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdelights.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of ardiebaer Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 9:25 PM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: [pbs] puya I grow puya beretoniana, dyckioides, and caerulea in Houston, TX Zone 9a in large pots. The dyckioides bloomed in 2008, and has not produced offsets yet or died. The soil is primarily crushed granite mixed with cactus potting soil and a thick layer of rocks on the bottom. They seem to tolerate our humid summers and mild winters well. If we have our torrential rains, I bring them into the garage. The spines are vicious, but I use rose gloves to handle them. Ardie Baer