Sucessfully Repotting Sempervivums

I have been buying and repotting plants for many years, but last year I was introduced to Sempervivums.  Along with a new vocabulary I had to learn about using the right soil mixture to keep my plants alive. 

I had always just brought my plants home, placed some commercial potting soil into a pot, added the plant, and then watered it.  I thought that was OK.  Some plants lived and some died and were replaced.

When I was learning how to plant sempervivums properly, my SIL, ValleyLynn, gave me a very valuable tip :

Always mix the soil ingredients with some water before you put them in the pot.

Although this might not sound earthshaking to you, it has made a big difference in my plants.

If you place your plants into dry soil, even if the root ball is wet, the dry soil immediately wicks away the moisture and your plant is left dry and thirsty. By giving the potting mixture an intitial watering, you ensure that your plant will have water available to the roots immediately.

Sempervivums don't like to have their roots (or feet, as they are often called) sitting in water, but you do want them to have enough moisture to start the settling-in process.  Any excess moisure will drain away quickly if you have used the fast-draining mixture prescribed for them.

To recap, these are the steps in sucessful Sempervivum potting:

First, add water to the soil mixture.

Next, place the moist mixture in the container and add plants.

Then, add a top dressing of grit or small pebbles.

Finally, add a few ornaments and enjoy.