They could be thirsty - I can't tell; but the 'splaying' happens when they are not getting enough light. Looks quite dark where they are - why are they potted so deep inside of container?

I see some perlite, but what is the 'soil' you used?

They are in a cactus/succulent soil and perlite mix. I am trying 2 different soils (one in each container). Honestly, I have them in there because I needed to get them out of the plug tray. They are under a porch, but I have moved them to the edge where they will get morning sun, maybe about 4 hrs worth.

I would give them more sunlight - keep moving into more sun every few days. They are too shaded by sides of container, and the air circulation is somehow impaired too. I would add mix to raise them up. They do not need deep containers, and too much f water retaining soil would keep them bit soggy. If you don't have anything else (grit, pumice), add lots more coarse perlite to C&S soil.

You didn't say what zone/general location you are in (pls. add to your name), but hey could be in full sun whole day, depending on location. These are in very gritty, mostly inorganic mix and in full sun in my zone:

I went ahead and added more succulent soil, per your recommendation. I have moved them to morning sun so hopefully that will help. We are in the San Antonio, TX area (zone 9A) so we are pretty humid and HOT all day long. Your succulents are beautiful! Thank you for your help.

I think your soil should be up to the top of the planter, the plants are way too far down into the pot. They don't need much water but they do need a lot of sun.

Providing excellent drainage is also key to grow healthy succulents.

Omar

Semps just don't do too well in Texas in my experience. I have never had luck with them. They burn up in my Texas sun. I have had the best luck in dappled bright shade, but that is not saying much.

They are kinda fuzzy but I've managed to keep them alive for about 8 years. In my garden they grow well in light shade and excellent drainage. I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow.

Omar

I was interested in semps because of their cold tolerance, but I'm sorry to report that my experience was the same as Mara's. A very kind person from a more northern state mailed quite a few different varieties to me, but non of them survived the Texas summer.

I think the high night time temperatures we have in parts of Texas has a great deal to do with some plants not surviving even though they are rated for zone 8 and 9. Zone hardiness is about lowest temps plants will tolerate, but does not take into account the constant day and night heat we experience in south and west Texas.

Omar, I'm looking forward to seeing what variety 'fuzzily' survived for you.

Lol. I meant difficult, hard, complicated. I gave you a pup of mine. I guess it didn’t survive. It’s really bright right now to take pictures but I can try to take the pots to a shady spot to take a picture of them.

Omar

Omar, the pup you gave me was still alive a couple of months ago, but because of the fractured femur I haven't been able to get out to the back to check on things for awhile. Now that I am on a walker and will graduate to a cane next week I'll see how it's doing. It was a pretty little thing for sure!

Thanks everyone! One planter box is doing much better. The other not so much. I guess I know which soil to use since I decided to test out two different soils. I did move them to nearly full sun.

Did you move them slowly . One can get sun sand if you move too quickly.