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Hi All, and welcome.
I am starting a new thread (with Susan ok) since she started the first one that is getting to long. I will include a link to where we came from as soon as I copy and paste it here.
A little about me:
I have grown hybrid Semps since the 80's and I am a confessed Chickaholic. Be forewarned, they are addictive. My collection is 90+ varieties all named and labeled. There are hundereds of varieties available, and I'm working on it. What I have now is only a drop in the bucket.
For those of you who dropped in but are not familiar with the care and culture of Semps and would like information, I will post the following info:
Culture
These facinating plants are extremely easy to grow for even the brown-thumbed gardener. Only overwatering and soil that is not well drained will kill them. They are succulents, meaning they retain moisture in their leaves. They will grow in pockets of soil, keep soil from washing away, and as a weed barrier. I use the common variety of Semps (S. tectorum) for this purpose. Their needs are simple---well drained soil, full sun or part (afternoon) shade. I have found that shading them from hot afternoon sun produces longer lasting colors. Some varieties take a nap during summer's intense heat, to resume growth when the weather has cooled. Afternoon shading fools them. They do need their share of moisture for proper growth. Allow top soil to dry a bit between watering, especially when newly planted. All are hardy in zone 4, and southwards without special winter protection.
These beauties can be planted in tubs and low saucer-type pots. I prefer them nestled between rocks, surrounded by low growing Sedums. A dark red hen against a grey or white rock is awesome!
NOTE: Not recommened for growing as a houseplant. They need the seasons to produce their beautiful colors.
A Short History of Sempervivums
It is intersting to note that the ancestor to these hybrids is the common green Sempervivum tectorum , which actually has some history behind it. Native to Europe, this is the variety that was used on roof tops before shingles were invented. It was also thought to ward off evil. Today, you can sometimes find them growing along with Sedums on top of old graves. One such historical grave is located in Nebraska along the Oregon Trail. From this humble variety hybridization with varieties found in the wild have given us hundreds of different hybrids to collect.
The lifespan of Sempervivum is 3 years. A young hen starts producing the season following its development. It will produce many chicks to carry on during its 2 productive years. Flower stalks develop during its 3rd year of life, a signal of approaching death. Nature planned it so that there will be sufficient room for her babies to develop and grow. The flower stalk can rise 12" above the rosette. Although pretty, I remove the stalk because the weight sometimes causes it to bend and uprooting the chicks. Removing it will not extend the life of the hen. Often, the chicks will cling to mama too long by the stolon and won't develop their own roots. Another reason to remove the dying hen.
If you purchase Semps from a local store, or online, bigger is not better when you consider their short life time. If you do, be sure the hen come with plenty of chicks or be stuck with a dying hen and no babies to carry on.
What is so fascinating about these hybrid gems is that most varieties produce an ever-changing parade of colors throughout the season, the reason it is so difficult to describe them. In addition, habit of growth and leaf form is often different at maturity in some varieties. More so as the season progresses. As colorful as the chicks in the photos are, at this writing (May) 99% of them are in winter colors of dark to burgundy red. Colors are most intense during mid-May, to late June. Some varieties remain dark red, almost black season round. Other are the prettiest late summer in pastel colors.
Color changes are triggered by a combination of factors---maturity, air and soil temperature, length of daylight---and sometimes climate. All my photos that I will post are taken of mature plants in my garden to show their color, growth habit and characteristic. Keep in mind that my photos are as they grow in my zone 4, Wyoming garden. I keep a huge folder on my PC full of dated photos of all my Sempervivums at different stages and seasons. Thank God for digital cameras, or I would go broke buying film.
Sempervivums produce what is called "offsets", a miniature replica of the mother hen, which is commonly called "chicks". Some varieties produce them at the end of long runners, called stolons. Others produce them close to the hen. Still others, sprout them in every direction.
Propagation
Although Semps can be propagated from seed, it is a slow process and they don't come true from seeds. The best way to propagate a favorite variety is to remove chicks once they have produced their own roots, and replant them. Use a dinner fork to pry them up with since this "tool" is less apt to tear roots. Dig an appropriate size hole and plant the chick with the lower leaves level with the ground. Water to settle the soil. Allow top soil to dry out in between watering to prevent rot until the chick is established. Best time to transplant chicks is when they are in active growth, which depends upon your climatic zone. Young hens with established root system can be transplated at any time when in active growth. Allow time for them to get established before winter.
If you can provide shade from the hot afternoon sun while the chick is getting established, so much the better. You can use a gallon or smaller plastic milk bottle as a protective tent. Cut off the bottom of the container then cut out an entrance for ventilation. The opening should face East. Sink it into the ground so it is sturdy. A wooden dowel stuck in the soil through the top opening will hold the container firm The chick will get the sunlight but in more diluted form.
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This thread is meant to be informative and for everyone to share their experience with growing these garden gems. Please post photos, if possible. Best light to take photos of any plant is when cloudy, or provide shading. Colors are less apt to be "washed" out then.
What would be interesting to see, would be the same variety growing in different part of the country to see the difference that makes, if any. Please date your photos for the rest of us.
Of interest would also be how you grow your Semps---garden, potted, or otherwise. As Chickaholics, we are all hungry for information, ideas, anything related to these beauties.
Questions are always welcomed. Someone will be sure to answer.
My first photo here is a view of a small section of my collection. Photo was taken in May 2008
This message was edited May 6, 2009 11:36 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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