Hardy Tropicals UK

Miraculously I came away completely unscathed!... which is even more surprising given I had to move it and pot it up my end on my own!
I'll definitely protect it, especially as late January is predicted to be cold. One thing I'm not sure on though, is wether to give it a little water now whilst its still mild, to encourage the roots into the pot a little, or is it best just to keep it completely dry?

keep it frost free pot it up in dry sand, play sand is usually sold dry. plant out when the clocks change for summer time. water well once a week . Stop watering when the clocks change for winter nothing past its lips till the clocks change for summer time. That's a humdinger

I've potted it up in a roughly 50/50 split of compost and sand/grit which I've not watered at all yet. Wondered whether it would be a good idea to water just the once whilst it's still mild, and then leave it dry for winter?...

I'll put it in the ground "when the clocks change" in a mix of probably two thirds sand grit in a raised arid bed... that's the current plan at least

it may be mild but not warm enough and cold nights leave DRY as t.ted suggested

I think they have to have 12 hours of daylight to start them growing .

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep it dry and put together a rain cover at the weekend