Nicole, the rains as you've noticed has been inland and not here near the coast, yet. You are right about the plastic cover, but put it on the North side of your house so it is shaded in the hotest part of the day. If you have a good potting soil you will not need to add perlite or vermiculite, it is the desicating sun and dry wind (no rain) that is hurting the plant. This should help.
