Once again, plans exceeded available time and there are way too many plants still sitting in tiny nursery pots on the deck waiting for beds to be prepared. The spring flip-flop of temps in the 20s and then 90s and back again and roots baking in those tiny black containers have encouraged some of the heuffeliis and orostachys spinosa to flower. However, no bees around here yet. We are on a farm surrounded by miles of bare ground being planted so the bees have not ventured over here yet this spring. Dandelions are in full bloom so hopefully the bees come soon.

I just potted up a bunch of the orostachys spinosa so at least the flowers will be close to each other and the stressed out plants can recover. Can a fine paint brush be used to spread pollen or do heuffeliis and O. spinosa require more drastic measures for pollination?

Yes, a small soft paint brush will work. Dab away.

No bumble bees in your area?

Westfork, these aren't being kept in the house, are they?

I have Orostachys spinosa several years old specimens out in the the elements but none have bloomed so far.

Mine have not bloomed in 3 years.

-I will try the small brush.

-No, these are only in the house to pot up.

-We have bumblebees, but none have shown up yet this spring.

-I got these from a source that claimed "these are from wild seed and we now have hundreds of different genotypes, previous cultivated material seemed to be clonal from a single introduction that seldom flowered, these do".

Thanks for the replies

What fun. I would love to see photos when the blooms open.

valleylynn said: What fun. I would love to see photos when the blooms open.

Orostachys spinosa

They are opening.

orostachys spinosa blooms opening.


and if anyone is interested, Home Depot is blowing out the large terracotta pots that these are planted in. 15" wide x 10.8" deep and just under 18 pounds.
Originally $24.98, then 60% off to $9.98, now another 50% off to $4.98. Their Vaso terracotta pots are also deeply discounted.

That is a large bloom stalk. The bees will be very happy.

valleylynn said: That is a large bloom stalk. The bees will be very happy.

It thinks it is an agave with that big bloom stalk.

Westfork said: It thinks it is an agave with that big bloom stalk.

I'm not seeing an agave, just O. spinosa.

Westfork said: orostachys spinosa blooms opening.


and if anyone is interested, Home Depot is blowing out the large terracotta pots that these are planted in. 15" wide x 10.8" deep and just under 18 pounds.
Originally $24.98, then 60% off to $9.98, now another 50% off to $4.98. Their Vaso terracotta pots are also deeply discounted.

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

I checked my HD, it shows they have them at that price. What a great buy.