Hi All,

I'd like to propose a competition. Let's see who's growing the largest semp (by rosette diameter). To compete, post a photo with a ruler for scale and the name of the cultivar, if you know it. And if you live near Salem, OR and are open to the idea, I'd love to interview you and photograph your giant semp when I'm up for the hybridizing clinic.

If we can accumulate some great photos of the semp giants, we can feature them on the Mountain Crest Gardens blog!

All the best,
Annie

Great idea Annie.
The semps that get really big won't show the size until sometime this summer, that is when they will be at the peak of their growth. But there are already some like 'Othello' that are pretty good sized.

Are you Annie with the red hair?...that likes Mexican food?

These are the numbers to beat this year?
The thread "Show us the Big One" in Sempervivum forum

Can we cheat and place the plant in a place with low light so the leaves spread out as much as possible instead of clumped together because of full sun placement?
What will the winner get, or it is only bragging rights?

Very good point, Lynn. Let's postpone the final ruling until midsummer then, yeah?

And hi, Bev! Yup, that's me.

PaleoTemp, would featured champion status on the Mountain Crest blog be an adequate prize?

See ya at the H. Clinic, Annie!

See you soon Annie.

I have one semp that is getting to be a pretty good size. It is El Toro. I just measured it and the biggest rosette in the pot is 7". Sadly it is a really big pot so I won't be able to bring it to Salem.

Very impressive Melissa.

I need to start a few pots with just one plant in them . That way they often grow big. I think I will try that with Hopewell, it seems to yearn for lots of space.

Any other semps that tend to get really big?

Yes, 'Hopewell' can get quite large. And such a beauty.

Melissa 'Othello' 'Packardian' even 'Grammens' can get large for me! Hmm I know there are more, can't think

Good to know that Grammens can get large, I love the rosette shape, but give it enough room.

schrecka, sounds good.
Ohhh... but I already see bigger specimens than mine.
Impose the rule to use a transparent ruler, we want to see them whole beauties.

Virgil about 8 inches across.

Ooh Julia...Good start with that one and great color!

Awesome. Big AND beautiful.

I have several that are getting really big. El Toro, Virgil, Viking, Positively Glowing, Damask to just name a few. I will have to measure them. Need to find a see thru ruler.

Way to go Julia!!