My long awaited Century semps finally arrived Friday 10/19. This line of heirloom semps dates back to my great grandmother, possibly further to the old world, I can't verify that though. The ones I received are direct descendants from the ones my mom has been keeping for 42 years, that came to her via my grandmother, who told us she got hers from her mom, my great grandmother, when she married.

Some of you may remember my mom is living with my nephew Mark and his lovely wife Brenda. Mark recently received a transfer to Dallas, Texas. They're delighted as all of their children live their. Surprisingly my mom is on board with the move, (we all really thought she would be very resistant to moving at this late stage in life.) Brenda has been pre-occupied getting ready for the move and shipping off semps was low on the to do list. I would have liked to have a little more time to transition and root up chicklets, I'm appreciative that Brenda was able to find the time to get these off to me. Her plate is pretty full.

These will take some nurturing to get through winter and I'll be keeping them under cover on my front porch where they will get good light, natural temps but out of the precipitation. They're a little light starved having been grown in bright shade with no direct sun. I have hopes for them though.

Thanks for sharing these family treasures with us. I wish you luck and much fun caring for these "Most Senior of Sempervivums" from your family!
Nothing like what you got, but it is up there in my book is a Killer semp I got from Kevin in 2014 at the clinic (which makes it 4+ years older now). I just noticed that it has 2 offsets, which is about time but I guess under my less-than-optimal conditions, it's understandable. I also had this one calcareum(?) "Isella" for 5 years it passed this summer with no offsets.

How wonderful to have such a history on your semp.

I have one that I have had for 40+ years but is nothing compared to yours.

Very nice BigT, how special to have such a personal connection to these lovely hand-me-down century semps (you show good "grittery" there too). Looking forward to see how these sweet rosettes settle in and mature in 2019.

The nearest I have to a nostalgic "memory plant" is with an Epimedium I bought from plantsman George Schenk in 1976; when I moved to Seattle WA area 1982-86, that plant and thousands more (yes, thousands) were mailed to my home-to-be in Bellevue, WA (near Seattle). When we decided to return to Massachusetts, I drove coast to coast with my German Shepherd dog, and a select set of potted plants that I could fit in the car, the beloved Epimedium in tow. That plant is still a fine colony in my garden after 42 years, brings back memories. Nothing close to a century, but special plants can be meaningful beyond their physical being, particularly so with plants that one is gifted from friends

BigT - if your century semps are like my century semps, they have "improved with age" and I expect will be very hardy and grow well. I really love the new modern semps I have acquired this summer, but my "century's" come with a story and a long family history, - almost exactly like yours - and nothing in the world can replace that.

These little guys look tough and ready to roll. I'm betting that they will be fine. What a great history.

If his are like mine, he will soon have more than he knows what to do with. I gave a bunch of mine to the high school for their flower beds, a bunch to friends and co-workers, and - if my son ever marries his current girl friend - hope to give them as favors at the wedding!

Loved reading your post BigT. Those are truly tough semps and will do well for you. A real treasure with all the history to go with them.

Bigtattoo said: My long awaited Century semps finally arrived Friday 10/19. This line of heirloom semps dates back to my great grandmother, possibly further to the old world, I can't verify that though. The ones I received are direct descendants from the ones my mom has been keeping for 42 years, that came to her via my grandmother, who told us she got hers from her mom, my great grandmother, when she married.
These will take some nurturing to get through winter and I'll be keeping them under cover on my front porch where they will get good light, natural temps but out of the precipitation. They're a little light starved having been grown in bright shade with no direct sun. I have hopes for them though.

@Bigtattoo - still have your century semps?? Photo?? As always, mine are doing great.