I'm in a RV park next to the Pacific ocean in zone 8B and purchased a few plants from Home depot with clay pots for each plant. I'm planning on adding to the collection possibly building a few planting boxes.

I'm using standard potting soil and wondering if it's good enough type of soil for the cactus that require more drainage?

I also rescued a few ferns gowning under the side of cargo trailer where someone cut them using a weed wacker.

My location in the Northwest zone 8B averages approx. 65 to 70 inches of precipitation annually. Temperatures are usually from the 30's to 50's during the winter, 40's to 70's spring and fall and 60's to 80's in the summer. Humidity is currently 69 % and can become 80 and higher when raining. Doesn't really get all that dry here. All the plants were replanted in clay pots using common planting soil.

Since I'm in a RV I don't have any window sills and space near a window to grow plants indoors. I'm not certain what to do with some of the plants if temperatures get below 40 into the 30's?

Here's some of the information I have from the plants purchased from Home depot of which most are are cactus and succulents.

Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
Dracaena Marginata
Golden Barrel echinocactus grusonii
Cotyledon Long Fingers

I'd use a cactus mix for better drainage, or you can mix your own. ( 1/3 compost, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 sand )Frost will kill them and turn them into mush...I'd bring them inside the trailer if there is frost danger. You could build a small hoop house and have them protected when over wintering.

Good job in putting those fern cuttings in pots! Thanks for sharing!

I admire your ambition. I am very unfamiliar with your conditions. Off the top of my head I would not even try to do succulents with the humidity and rainfall you have. Back when I was learning about summering my cactus outside I had to use Preen in the pots to keep the grass seed blown in the wind from sprouting. We only get something like 35" of rain a year. If you can keep the rain off your succulents you might have a chance. With your Winter temps I would imagine they will all go dormant and need no water. Gene

Hi Albert,

Cacti and succulents are plants adapted to dry weather. They need very little water compared to, say, ferns or roses.

Potting soil is not a good choice for cacti or succulents because it retains a lot of moisture. Your collection (except for the ferns) needs a medium that does not hold a lot of moisture and drains well. Placing your pots in saucers is not a good idea because the water accumulates there, as your photos show. That's not good for any plant and bad for the ones you have.

Cacti need lots and lots of sun, a well-draining medium such us cacti & citrus soil, very little water.
Succulents need sun (and partial shade in very hot and dry weather), same soil as for cacti and a bit more water than cacti.

I would get the proper medium, repot the plants and use no saucers. In your climate, you'll have to give them the best sun exposure available. Bring them in when the weather is below 32 F.

Good luck with your collection. Your zone is rather cold and too humid for the plants you've chosen so you'll have to try and make them as comfortable as possible.