Anyone know why this Semp would act this way? Someone just sent me these photos wondering why.

Hey there Mark!
Have these been planted in that spot long? I ask only because I've seen semps look like that when I get semps that somebody has dug up for me and I haven't planted them right away. I have a tendency to leave them laying around and they start to look like that. Of course when I do get around to planting them, it's hard to situate them into soil when the leaves point down.

Thanks Bev! I copied your response and this is his.
Could be that is what happened to these. I did not plant them right away
And they have only been in the ground 3-4 weeks. Guess I am going to have to quit being so lazy and plant sooner when I get them home. Thanks for the info as it makes sense now I think about it.
Jim

You're welcome Mark! In my dreams, I keep thinking I'll make it up to your wonderful gardens one day to see all the magic that you have done with rocks and plants!

Jim, as an aside for something like this in the future...Having been faced with the same situation, a very experienced semp person told me that with the leaves that stick downward, he gently and cleanly removes the leaves off the stem so that the rest of the rosette can be positioned closer to the soil. I find that grabbing most of the leaf and giving a firm pull/tug or sometimes a twist to the right or left of the stem helps to remove the leaf cleanly off.

For clarification, I think semps do that because of low light, if you are like me the plants aren't in sun when they are sitting around waiting to be planted...Bev do you agree??

Yes, I do think that is a factor, Greg. Thanks for bringing that up.

It would also be a good idea to top dress with chicken grit or small gravel. This would help keep the underside of the rosettes from rotting.

I know this is an old thread. But I also wait too long to plant sometimes and end up with this . I feel so much less alone now ! Thank y'all 🤣. I have a bunch in little nursery pots I got last year . That started doing this within just a few days of only getting mild afternoon sun . The weather got super nice and they were getting so dry that I watered them all . I should have moved them to the east side of my house that same day . It was seriously only 3-4 days after watering that they started growing and plumping due to the water and weather . And the downturned leaves are driving me mad ! I'm a perfectionist and like very compact plants . And now it's freezing cold at night. So now some getting little dents in their leaves due to being a little too stressed by the cold .but they're making it Come on spring ! I'm done with 20 degree nights and I wanna plant my babies NOW 🤣

By the way , Korean succulent masters say about the downturned leaves , " This plant is wearing a dress because it needs more sun ." Very cute 🥰

Mcgilljen said: By the way , Korean succulent masters say about the downturned leaves , " This plant is wearing a dress because it needs more sun ." Very cute 🥰

I like this saying.