Hi,
My name is Diana, and I'm as new as can be to the Semp world. I started wanting to make little 'gifts' for my fellow teachers by planting little succulents in recycled K cups, and bought 2 'hen and chicks' at my local nursery, and fell in love with the plant!

I've watched lots of videos on sempervivum and have read through lots the the threads here, and feel like I already know some of you. :)

I gave myself an early Christmas gift and placed a small order with SMG, and ordered some seeds from ebay too! I'm not sure how I'll do here in 9b, but it's the perfect cure for the Winter blahs.

Hi Diana, and a big to ATP. So glad you found your way here.

I see your hen and chicks look to be what is called tender succulents. Lovely plants and perfect for your zone 9 growing. They should be able to stay outdoors year round in your climate. What are your winter time low temps?

The sempervivum hen and chicks might be a bit more of a challenge for you since they are considered an alpine type succulent. To stay healthy they need winter conditions. Sometimes you can trick them by occasionally providing water in the form of ice cubes. They really prefer being outdoors, and don't do well at all indoors. Which ones did you get from SMG. It is an exceptional nursery for for starting a collection.

I hope you will share photos of your new plants when they arrive.

Yes...Welcome Diana!
I just moved out of CA zone 9b and during winter was able to keep the echeverias (the other "hen and chicks") and other tougher tender succulents outdoors under the protection of house eaves or frost cloth. To prevent the tender succulents from stretching out of shape indoors, a bright window would help or grow lites if away from a window.

Your waiting-to-arrive semps should do well. Just also be aware of too much sun exposure if conditions are too dry and hot and of rot if conditions are too wet. As anyone can attest here, good drainage is all important no matter which conditions.

Great advice Bev. I think you are the expert on growing sempervivum in several different parts of the country, with totally different growing conditions.

Gee, I wouldn't say that; it's more like I'm an expert at having trouble growing sempervivium in "totally different growing conditions"

Every move you've made you found a way to grow them. I call that an expert.

Thank you for the welcome! The ones I got from the nursery are Commander Hay and Red Beauty. The ones I ordered are Pacific Rim, Just Plain Crazy and Poco Loco.

It gets down the 27-29F, and mostly in the low to mid 30's.

After reading here, I brought the ones I bought back outside, on a garden shelf. Hmmm, does anyone know if real chickens leave them alone? Our girls have free run of the backyard, so I'd have to keep that in mind.

I know it may be a challenge growing here, and probably even more so when we move to Tuscon in 3 1/2 years after I retire!

I'd experiment and sacrifice one to the chickens if they are interested but if not you can put the rest outside. Not sure where the ones you bought were originally situated but with any plant new to your home I would slowly acclimate new plants to harsher climate change whether it be sun or cold or wind. Enjoy Diana!

It looks like you have enough chilling weather to make the sempervivum happy. Your semps are going to be very happy outdoors.

Oh boy, moving to Tuscon, as in Arizona? Now that is another story. Bev might be able to give you some tips on growing them in a desert climate.

If I was living in Tuscon I'd forget about these wimpy Sempervivums but would instead grow their larger cousins... the Agaves. And lots of 'em.

Tim, did you really say wimpy?
I know you are just joking, aren't you.

Uh-uh, youse in trouble now, Tim!

Hello Diana Honestly I agree with Tim, in that Tucson will give you so many other options, aeoniums and such - but until then I think your semps will need a semi shady place (especially in summer) morning sun - and I have a feeling your chickens may eat some of he plants, or at least displace them, since worms and bugs will be attracted to the plants - they are easily replanted though!! Welcome and enjoy - I see you have some other tender succulents they look great!

Uh-oh. I now fear my ATP account will be deleted by a moderator due to an inappropriate and offensive remark. I'll now make my situation even worse by adding fuel to the fire:



Sempervivum 'Dallas' vs. Agave 'Parryi Truncata'

Just sayin'. But I have to admit that when left to a PNW winter, the semp will be the last one standing.

tcstoehr said:Uh-oh. I now fear my ATP account will be deleted by a moderator due to an inappropriate and offensive remark. I'll now make my situation even worse by adding fuel to the fire:



Sempervivum 'Dallas' vs. Agave 'Parryi Truncata'

Just sayin'. But I have to admit that when left to a PNW winter, the semp will be the last one standing.

Well said Tim. You are forgiven. But that agave is very handsome indeed. Good thing there is room for all kinds of plants to grow together.

The thorns on the agave are scary!

Just don't sit on it Greg.

Good advice Lynn!

I love being helpful.