The way I understand it now is it all depends on the heat/temperature around the plant. Like California with its varying microclimates..
It may be summer weather near San Francisco but they have much cooler temps than my side. So in that area they can practice longer intervals in watering even in summer, and many succulents enjoy the cooler weather too. On my side since we get into a more intense and drier condition, then I have to step up watering a bit more. But still taking note that at 90F and higher and extreme heat, the succulents will shut down and wait it out. That is the time some gardeners do end up rotting the plant..since by then plant has gone dormant. So I have to consider moving the plants in shade otherwise whatever I do..they will just end up dry roasted. Very, very few succulents can tolerate excessive heat, so got to help them rest in shade or dappled light till they bounce back again in Fall's cooler weather.
As to winter time..Mother Nature's rain here in Cali is to all extent very intermittent and not in any way like the torrential downpours I have experienced living in the tropics. Provided media has been made very porous and temps do not go below 20F then cold survival for succulents is quite good. I like it when winter comes..finally much needed rain is here. But that being said, knowing which succulents with a higher threshold for cold temps is impt. Otherwise 50F is my bottomline, if it goes lower than that, I have to start moving some succulents indoors.
When I was new to succulents, I cannot understand how I killed many..then I realized the temperature is different each season. Overall Cali does have mediterranean climate..but intensity of heat varies, humidity levels vary. So got to take note of that and adjust accordingly. Especially now..season to season, year after year..growing conditions are so different. Got to protect the plants now from excessive heat...duration of heat waves is getting longer. Most succulents are drought tolerant..but got to take note many are not excessive heat tolerant.
That is also why in winter when frost advisories are announced, got to protect the succulents. A one hour exposure to excessively cold temps is bad enough..if it happens to rain too..then it is survival of the fittest mode for most of them.
