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May 8, 2011 1:09 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Arlan Ten Kley
Robertsdale, AL
....always taking a closer look!
Charter ATP Member
A while back Lynn asked me to consolidate the pictures I've been taking of the progress of my Semp seedlings. This will be my attempt to do so, and give a spot to continue as they grow.

I purchased the seed from Chilthern in the UK. Two different packages arrived, one labeled "Mixed hybrids and species" and the other "S. arachnoideum". As this is my first attempt at raising Sempervivums from seed, I decided that rather than try and reinvent the wheel, I followed the basic advice presented by Jacki Cammidge in her article on this topic. I used one of the standard trays saved from some prior purchase of bedding plants and filled it with some fine textured seed starting mix. I purchased some poultry grit to sprinkle on top of the soil. After soaking the grit covered medium, I sowed the seed on the 4th of April, 2011, one half of the tray for each type. Many places you will read about mixing the fine seed with sand to assist in getting even distribution. I thought I could do it without this, so proceeded to demonstrate to myself that it was a lot harder than I thought......and my results will show this! I purchased a piece of plexiglass to set over the top for moisture/humidity control. I put a label at each end of the flat, cut down in length so that it protruded about 1/4" above the top edge of the tray. The plexiglass is large enough that it rested on these labels and thus maintained a space for air circulation. Once the seed was sown, I did not water again. The flat was then place on my back patio in the shade. - Arlan

On the 7th of April, 3 days later, I discovered major germination, especially with the Mixed seed. Here is what they looked like:

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This is the photo from April 10th... just about a week from sowing:
Thumb of 2011-05-08/atenkley/3df416


April 15th....
Thumb of 2011-05-08/atenkley/53caaa


On April 19th I shared this photo on the Chat thread. At that time I thought the small darker green seedlings were a significantly different kind. In retrospect, I believe the newly germinated seedlings are just temporarily darker....
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April 22nd....
Thumb of 2011-05-08/atenkley/033d49


April 26th....showing a newly germinated seed. I would imagine I could see newly germinate seed frequently through-out the next year, as some varieties may have different germination requirements, such as a cold period.
Thumb of 2011-05-08/atenkley/663ddb


April 29th....one of the arachnoideum seedlings on the left and Mixed on the right. I removed the plexiglass at this time:
Thumb of 2011-05-08/atenkley/aed141 Thumb of 2011-05-08/atenkley/5728ca


May 6th.....showing how crowded some of the seedling are...tribute to my "I know what I'm doing here" sowing technique!
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May 8th, basically one month from germination.....one of the "Mixed" starting to really look like a Semp!
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May 8, 2011 1:34 PM CST
Name: Terri
North Georgia zone 6b
I missed all the spring specials!!
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
How fun!! It is already looking like a little semp! Growing pretty fast it looks like!
I shall henceforth count you all as enablers of my collecting \"disease\".
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May 8, 2011 2:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Arlan Ten Kley
Robertsdale, AL
....always taking a closer look!
Charter ATP Member
As these are the first....it seems like forever! ...but I know they have made great progress. I'm hoping for some significant variability with these babies, but can only see a bit of difference in leaf shape at this point. - Arlan
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May 9, 2011 12:12 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Arlan, this is fantastic. I can't believe in one months time they are actually looking like miniature semps. What amazing photos. Lovey dubby
It is going to be so much fun watching them grow into new and exciting plants.

By the way, for those of you that like birds, you need to check out Arlans thread 'The Saga of the Carolina Wren Nest'. http://cubits.org/theyard/thre...
It was such a wonderful adventure.
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May 9, 2011 3:56 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Arlan Ten Kley
Robertsdale, AL
....always taking a closer look!
Charter ATP Member
Thanks Lynn! I love watching these little guys grow! I'm hoping for some variety to make it even more interesting. - Arlan
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May 9, 2011 8:06 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Sent you another cmail Arlan.
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May 10, 2011 10:41 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
Sempervivums Sedums Region: Wisconsin Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Just found this thread. Thank Arlan! Since I've never grown any from seed, I'm really enjoying this. OK, this did it - I'm off to order some seeds!
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May 10, 2011 1:53 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Whistling
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May 10, 2011 6:20 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Arlan Ten Kley
Robertsdale, AL
....always taking a closer look!
Charter ATP Member
Happy to oblige!
Image
May 10, 2011 6:32 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Well that was easy wasn't it Arlan.

Let us know what you order Chris. Thumbs up
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May 10, 2011 9:25 PM CST
Name: Terri
North Georgia zone 6b
I missed all the spring specials!!
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Arlen I think I could see a difference in color of a couple of my seedlings. I'll try to get a photo tomorrow, if the mice leave any! Glare
I shall henceforth count you all as enablers of my collecting \"disease\".
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May 10, 2011 9:36 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
You don't have slugs do you Terri? Seems they would really love tender little semp seedlings.
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May 10, 2011 9:44 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Arlan Ten Kley
Robertsdale, AL
....always taking a closer look!
Charter ATP Member
How old are your seedlings, Terri? I just see a bit of difference in leaf shape in mine.
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May 10, 2011 9:47 PM CST
Name: Terri
North Georgia zone 6b
I missed all the spring specials!!
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Let's see, I planted the seed on April 7th, they took about 5 or so days to germinate, so about 4 weeks along? I do have slugs too... ok, let me go cover them....
I shall henceforth count you all as enablers of my collecting \"disease\".
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May 10, 2011 9:56 PM CST
Name: Terri
North Georgia zone 6b
I missed all the spring specials!!
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Ok, went out and got the little flat and brought it inside to examine it. It appears the color difference is from... um, well... ok, it's from letting them get a little dry. Blinking Apparently they don't do so well when they dry out too much at this young age. But some of them have 3 or more real leaves. Some are still just cotyledons.

I did order a packet of seeds from T&M, I can hardly wait to plant them. Just haven't had time yet. Also ordered a pkt of sedum seeds. Jackie said she got a lot of nice reds in her T&M seeds.

I'm just spread a little too thin to be a good plant mommy right now to plants with special needs. You got to be hardy to survive around here right now (people included)!
I shall henceforth count you all as enablers of my collecting \"disease\".
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May 11, 2011 1:38 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
Sempervivums Sedums Region: Wisconsin Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer
Here are the seeds I ordered. I really don't need 2000!, but it was the best deal. Whistling

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZL2FIG/
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May 11, 2011 6:53 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Arlan Ten Kley
Robertsdale, AL
....always taking a closer look!
Charter ATP Member
Terri - I've noticed a difference in color between newly germinated seedlings and older ones. A few of mine were turning dull greyish and I thought they were maybe suffering from damping off because of the moisture, so I'm starting to let mine get a bit dryer.... there must be a fine line somewhere! Survival of the fittest is good.

Chris - I think you should have bought the 4,000 seed lot.....even better deal! I would imagine that semp seed would keep for a while, so you should be set for multiple sowings! Anybody know for how long properly stored semp seed is viable?

I just got some seed of various Graptopetalum sp. to try too...... just have to find room...along with all my Adenium germinating....! - Arlan
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May 11, 2011 6:59 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
Sempervivums Sedums Region: Wisconsin Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I figure if I lose one batch I'll have plenty of seeds to try again! Rolling on the floor laughing
Image
May 11, 2011 8:21 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Wow Chris that is a great deal. I never would have thought about going to Amazon to find semp seeds.

Arlan, 4,000 seeds. Blinking I am feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it.
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May 11, 2011 11:36 AM CST
Name: Terri
North Georgia zone 6b
I missed all the spring specials!!
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Oooo Graptopetalum??? Score! I love those!

I just ordered a Pachyphytum oviferium plant... cannot wait!

Got to get my semp seed planted today, I bet they'll like the warm. Hmm, shoulda popped them in the freezer for a day or so. Oh well!
I shall henceforth count you all as enablers of my collecting \"disease\".

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