I found these this summer, snuggled up under one of the heuffelii rosettes. The could be either sempervivum or heuffelii. Both had been blooming last fall, so I broke the dry bloom stalks off and scattered seed.
Now I'm itching to start my semp seeds, but I think it would be better to wait. Although I could start them early and move them out to the cold frames in March.
You could use the Winter Sow method Tabby. : )
No fuss, no muss.
Janice, amazing photos. We should be able to see what they will look like as mature rosettes this year?
Twit it will be so much fun watching to see what they turn into as mature plants. I had Jovis and Semps blooming in that bed. Wonder if they cross pollinated?
I save winter sowing for things that need stratification, otherwise I just sow under lights. From what I've gathered, semp seeds seem to germinate well without stratification.
I've got some semps under the lights right now - I was surprised how much they colored up under the lights.
Tabby, can you show us some photos of your semps under lights?
Janice, my seedlings have to be from seed self sown fall of last year. I found them in July before any of this years blooms matured and went to seed. So the seed must have gone through winter before germinating. Wonder how many I weeded out of the beds without knowing they were there?
Tabby, While some semp seed will start without stratification, I recall a study that was published in the Sempervivum Society Journal that did demonstrate that germination was better after stratification. So keep you seed starting pots thru at least one winter outside, after you get the first ones to start under lights, etc. You should get more seedlings the next spring.
If I had more seed, I'd try half outside and half inside. I took pictures of some of my indoor semps, but can't post them yet. We've lost power due to high winds (50 mph sustained winds with gusts higher) and I'm posting from my phone.
Lynn raises a good point, when we plant outside, we have to fight the weeds and probably get collateral losses. Might be pulling up tiny technicolor polka-dot semps and not realizing it. You could put the seeds in the produce compartment of the refrigerator for two months, then plant indoors as an alternative, then put the pot back in after the first batch of seedling stop coming. Just seal in a plastic bag for hygiene and sanitation.
I've been thinking about it twit. I am going to winter sow them in gallon milk jugs. Just set them outside for winter and let them do their thing. No weeds to worry about since the jugs only have small ventilation slits at the top of the jug.
When I winter sow/stratify, I usually plant seeds in flats in sterile soil and cover with those clear plastic dome lids, then set the flats on my back porch. Works well and the seeds don't blow away like they would if I direct sowed.
Aaarrrg, I still don't have power and the house is getting quite cold.
Oh no Tabby. You don't have any alternate heat? What is your outdoors temp like tonight? Can you use your stove top to provide some heat? Or is it electric?
Your method method would work very well for winter sowing semp seeds.
We should be able to see what they will look like as mature rosettes this year?
