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Sempervivums

30 comments


My dad used to collect these, he had a collection of over a hundred all different, and at the time i never gave them any thought…..

when he passed away a few years ago i thought a lot about why he like them so much. so last year i got a packet of seed ( anybody that knows me knows i like to grow from seed if possible ) and set out to see why….

when they first germinated they all looked alike but i carried on as i hate to waste any thing…

As they grew each took on it’s own characteristics….

Some took on different Colours

Some had really pointy tips…

This slightly out of focus one is a little hairy…

this had serrated edges like a saw…

and this one was so green i had to wait for it to go in the shade before photographing it…

the new growth on this in the centre goes dark maroon…

and this little devil took me ages to photo, even with the tripod i still couldn’t get it to focus properly….

so i begin to understand i think the diversity of this particular plant is probably what drew his attention, they like all the sun they can get, not worried if they get little rain or water and any ground as long as it’s not water logged…. plus they grow in any little hole or crevice…

i think i’ll grow some more :-) thanks for looking…

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Comments

 

i see what you mean, much more interesting like this, thanks SL

11 Apr, 2012

 

thanks Sticki :-)

11 Apr, 2012

 

:-)

11 Apr, 2012

 

yes great little additions SL - so many nice coloured ones too :))))))))))))))

12 Apr, 2012

 

Aw they are all lovely :) Great to grow from seed eh?

12 Apr, 2012

 

where did you get the seeds as ive never seen them and love the way they grow as your dad did,I would realy like to give it a try as well,you have had great success with them,well done chris

12 Apr, 2012

 

That's amazing. I want to try some now lol

12 Apr, 2012

 

I love these ... I have some growing in the garden, though never tried from seed.

You have lots of different interesting houseleeks there.
I'm adding to GoYpedia :o)

12 Apr, 2012

 

Thanks Paul...
Thanks Pixi, yes love growing from seed :-)
Thanks Ladybug, the seed was from Thompson & Morgan they are really easy to grow good luck...
Thanks Hywel Lol hope you do try :-)
Thanks Terra i was amazed at how many different types there was :-)

12 Apr, 2012

 

I love them Surreylad and would like to have a go from seed. Did you start them off in pots?

12 Apr, 2012

 

I started them off in a plastic tray just the cheap ones from a pound shop Annella, then seed compost and water only when the compost is getting dry, but don't move them till they are big enough to form a little rosette, good luck :-)

12 Apr, 2012

 

Thanks

12 Apr, 2012

 

They are so pretty...:)

12 Apr, 2012

 

I would like to try some also

12 Apr, 2012

 

I have a few and love them.

12 Apr, 2012

 

Thanks Michaella :-)
They really are easy to grow Yorkshire..
They are lovely little plants arn't they Drc...

12 Apr, 2012

 

Yes and so undemanding

12 Apr, 2012

 

very true :-)

12 Apr, 2012

 

they look like a miniature landscape to me, very interesting little things, might have a go with them one day

12 Apr, 2012

 

they really are easy Sticki, plant and leave.... that simple:-))

12 Apr, 2012

 

Sounds like a very good plant!

12 Apr, 2012

 

it's a gap filler in a rockery or side of a wall or anywhere most others wont like to much... as long as it's not to damp...

12 Apr, 2012

 

Could be useful for the stone wall we have?

12 Apr, 2012

 

sounds like a perfect place for them Sticki....

12 Apr, 2012

 

and would make it nice and green looking!!
you know those little succulent/cacti that look like stones, do they like the same conditions as sempervivums? wondered if they would look good together in a shallow alpine type tray???

13 Apr, 2012

 

if you mean the Lithops, living stones they need to be frost free in a conservatory or similar...

13 Apr, 2012

 

Oh ok, thanks.

13 Apr, 2012

 

your welcome, but there are several other types of hardy crevice plants even sedums or saxafraga's....

13 Apr, 2012

 

ok, will have a look, thank you

13 Apr, 2012

 

:-))

13 Apr, 2012

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