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nicoleteste7

New Semp/Drying up?

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

I recently purchased sempervivum 'black' from a local greenhouse and potted them up, leaving the hen and several offsets in one, and some of the other offsets in a different planter/individual planters. The original soil was damp, I typically wait a few days before watering to allow the roots to heal from separating/repotting. I went out of town the next day for a few days and just returned to the little offsets I separated looking dried up/not well. I have the "main" hen/attached offsets in NE exposure and the offsets in SW. With that being said I'm thinking it's the sun exposure because the main plant appears to be in better shape. I was thinking since they were in a geeen house there were no need for acclimation but I guess I assumed wrong. Most of my succulents love the NE exposure but I have a few- my opuntia, other established semps, and even some thimble and mammillaria 'babies' (with some shade) in the SW exposure and they do just fine. I'm thinking it's either that or they're thirsty or maybe both! I want to save them if it's not too late but if it is, lesson learned and the main plant is intact and I left several offsets attached. As far as soil goes, I've been wondering if 50/50 is a good option here or if anyone has better suggestions for soil over all, I have done decent with worse not knowing anything, but I know there better options out there I just haven't reached out from success with not the best!


Comments (9)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    That's excactly what mine look like when they've had too much heat or sun.

    If these were mine I would find a pot half the size of the one they're in and put them in that:). Find a spot where they get sun till about 11am and then transition to the shade. You could find a spot with really nice bright light. My porch is perfect for bright light:). Do they have roots?

    Most big greenhouses I've seen have dirty windows. So that crud blocks tons of the sun's rays.

    nicoleteste7 thanked Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes they all have small roots. They were shooting their own roots while attached and I immediately potted once removed. I had a "spread and grow" mentality but I'll take your advice for sure! Originally, I wanted to put the hen/main large semp in this bowl (i drilled drainage holes) but the roots were way to large and long so I went with the smaller guys. Maybe it's too shallow for much of anything. I'll find something or do about three to my 3.5 clay pots maybe! I don't like plastic as much but I have a better suited size. I don't want loose them, they're so pretty! I am moving them to less harsh heat as well!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    3-3.5 inch pot would be perfect:). They will be happier. If they have roots you can water. Make sure they dry out tho, but you know this. Your mix looks fine:).

    I was thinking if you start to get more and more succulents you may want to switch to a gritty mix. When I first started out I used perlite and cactus mix for like two years. So it does work, but I started to notice the perlite and soil start to separate. I'm sure you've noticed the perlite floats like crazy. In a year or two the soil compresses to the bottom, while the light perlite goes to the top. So I started to see drainage problems. Just a suggestion:).

    I use pumice and cactus mix, but the pumice stays put:). Luckily I'm able to find pumice cheap and easy:).

    nicoleteste7 thanked Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
  • 9 years ago

    Kara thank you so much for the encouragement and advice :) I'll have to see what I can find and is manageable around here! So far it's been just fine for the most part, but I would love something that stays in place. I already have the terrible habit of planting to low, and sometimes with perlite when the soil does start to settle at the bottom it gets lower and more compact with every watering so I have to repot and lift eventually, so I'll have to give that a shot real soon!

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Semps do not need deep bowl - they will grow long roots, but they will grow over the rocks easily - no soil. Your separated pups could be recovering, but usually they will last without any soil well.

    I often cut stolon short, just enough to stick it in a mix, even if they don't have any roots. In containers, I grow them in mix of lots of grit and perlite, some without any soil. Are you growing them in GH or indoors? - they do best outdoors (I don't know where you are located...)

    nicoleteste7 thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am growing them outdoors in zone 7a. I have to keep them potted so they are mobile, for I live in an apartment and will be moving to a home in December so my goal is to keep them good and healthy until I relocate :)

  • 9 years ago

    Nicolette

    I have many in containers too, where they overwinter. As long as they have good drainage...

  • 9 years ago

    Rina thank you for sharing, they are so beautiful :) :)

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