What size container did they come in? That is a lot of growth in one growing season.
Watch out for slugs, they will devour them over night. Won't touch the other varieties of Orostachys, but all of the spinosa types are on their gourment dinner menu. Go figure.

I have them up on a top shelf, so I think that's why (knock wood) they haven't been eaten!! The container is a ceramic windowbox type pot - sadly I have both of these orostachys in the same planter - so far that is okay but eventually they will grow into one another!!

At least they will be easy to identify who is who.

This is true, and the pot is large enough to accommodate some growth from each plant!! I am tempted to put them in the ground though because they are so cool looking!

Just remember the slugs.
I am not kidding when I say they will demolish the entire colony over night. That is what happened to all of my O. spinosa types.
No problem with any of the others though.

I have had that happen before to hostas it is always so amazing (and depressing) that they can be so voracious

Here is the orostachys that I planted in a semp trough - not sure its a good idea, but have to find the right pot to move it into!! Growing like a weed
O Iwarenge

I have that one growing in several places, including my raised beds. It's a tough one.
Nice photo Greg.

I've been doing some research on orostachys lately and there seems to be one thing in common - no one is sure about anything. There are thirteen species in the genus, but individual varieties don't seem to be consistently named. I think part of the problem is that when taking pictures there are so many variables that affect the actual color of the picture that it's hard to positively identify them from pictures.

Greg, your spinosa minuta is doing great! I had a huge colony and almost lost the entire thing this summer because they got rained on and then it turned hot and humid. I've since found out that they do require a pretty good amount of moisture but don't like getting their leaves wet. I've now moved them to a protected area and have stepped up my watering and appears that I may be able to save some of them. Sure hope so!

Your o. iwarenge looks good too. I have two types of those with one being more on the blue side, and one being more green.

If anyone gets seeds from any of their orostachys, I'd love to trade or purchase them from you. Or plants too, for that matter.

I have enought to share with you Chris. These are the ones I have, but you may already have them?

Thanks for the offer Lynn! I do not have Orostachys boehmeri and would love it! I have plants of the other two but would still take seeds if anyone has them.

I sent you treemail Chris.

They're such cool plants!

Yes they are Greg.

Thanks Lynn!!

valleylynn said:Just remember the slugs.
I am not kidding when I say they will demolish the entire colony over night. That is what happened to all of my O. spinosa types.
No problem with any of the others though.

Can you borrow some ducks? Ours absolutely adore slugs and snails -- the minute we let them out (they are in at night because of the foxes) they head out heads down, vacuuming them up, turning leaves over, and not hurting the plants at all.

We used to have ducks when we lived in the country. They are wonderful slug eaters. We do have slug eating snakes, but in this part of the country they can't seem to keep ahead of them.

valleylynn said:... We do have slug eating snakes, but in this part of the country they can't seem to keep ahead of them.

They need legs...

I don't think Cliff would go outdoors Bev. I do find the little green frogs, Pacific treefrogs, which eat a variety of small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, a diet primarily of small leaf hoppers (jassids) and various dipterans (including midges, small crane flies, and muscoid flies), but also included ants, spiders (Erigone), parasitic hymenopterans, and small beetles. The raised beds are full of them. Great little garden helpers.

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Thomnophis elegans vagrans. They are just little guys, and really keep the insect, slug, and and other harmful pest populations down. http://www.californiaherps.com...

Then we have this awesome gal. She was on the bridge the other day. Rubber boa Charina bottae. This one only hunts at night, and works overtime at keeping the rodent population under control. It is very rare to see them.


The head and tale almost look identicle.


I think she is pregnant.

I too was going to suggest Greg collect any seeds from his O. minutum. I lost my colony this year and really, really liked them.

Chris, I think we have the same varieties, but I can see if I can collect some seed for you if interested. All my varieties are making a comeback, but not as many or as large as they were last year, so I'm wondering what the winter may bring. Like you, I'm puzzeled about the name vs variety issue with these plants. Part of the mystique, I guess. Some flowering appears to be starting currently.

I will gladly try and collect seed for people!! I'm hoping that this gets to bloom, as it is happening very slowly and our weather is turning coldish (for Seattle) so I know all the plants will slow way down. Thinking maybe I should just bring it inside in my hallway, not too much light, but cooler temps. Guess I'm going to wait and see!!