It looks like they are suffering from an overabundance of water and lack of light. When leaves curl back on themselves (and pale in color), it a sign of one or both. Sandier soil and or less watering will encourage deeper or at least longer roots for a better foothold. Pea gravel is a good mulch for them. If falling leaves will be a perennial problem, you could plant them on little hummocks of soil, shored up by rocks. When leaves fall, the little mounds will stay uncovered. It could give a lot of interest to an otherwise flat garden too.

Thanks for the suggestions Leftwood. Unfortunately some of them get a good amount of water when it rains. That area seems to be at the bottom of an unnoticable very small valley between my rose bushes and my main garden.

Your idea of making soil mounds sounds great!! I am definitly going to give it a try. Not only will it hopefully help them live, but I agree it will look at lot better.

Thanks again

Dear Succulent Lover: In the invaluable little book titled: 101 Essential Tips for Cacti and Succulents published by DK, it says that raised beds and sloping mounds are an ideal way to plant succulents and cacti. Choose soil that is free-draining and add even more small rocks and coarse sand to improve drainage. Hens & Chicks and all other succulents can't stand to be in any standing water. It's OK if it rains, but the moisture must drain away as fast as possible.

I grow mine in troughs made of hypertufa, the troughs have large drainage holes in the bottom and I raise them above the ground with two or three bricks. This way, no water stands in contact with the roots for any length of time.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Is that booklet still available???? " 101 Essential Tips for Cacti and Succulents published by DK"

My hens and chicks no longer are rose shaped. They have elongated some over 6 inches. What to do?

Best to start you own post, but it sounds like they are getting ready to flower.

Post your question with pix here. It is a more active forum.

tj