If you've been to the San Diego Zoo or other SD institutions recently, you probably already know they have an incredible area full of Pachypodiums, many with huge bottle trunks and well over 5-6ft tall. Definitely a sight to see!

What I'm wondering though, is how do they keep their specimens alive? From what I saw, their dozens of trees are planted directly in the ground and not kept in pots. That area of San Diego does get a great deal of sun and exposure but, in seasons like the last winter we had, there were also weeks of higher-than-average rainfall lasting into June. If the pachys were planted in the ground, wouldn't they have all gotten root rot? Do you think they plant some kind of barrier over the root layer to prevent water from soaking in? Does anyone here actually dare to plant their babies outside?? I do kind of want to experiment putting one or two of our P. lamerei outside in a more permanent way but obviously I wouldn't want to hurt them in the wetter seasons.

Bonus pic of our Pachy fam