I have the cobweb, and I seem to be killing it! I can't tell if I'm watering too much, or not enough...in our Texas heat, I would think it needs to be watered every day, as it sits in direct sun? Can someone please guide me? It was the most beautiful little guy, now some of it seems to being dying off, as it had some pups, now they are no where to be found? It's in one of those fish planters purchased from Hobby Lobby with the open tail and mouth. I read on Simply Succulents website about the wreaths they sell, to water them when they get light in weight, but with being in this type of container, I can't tell by the weight! The top of the mouth tends to angle down, so the lower portion of the plant is getting the most benefit of watering it appears, so that part of the plant is doing better than the top...so this makes me think I'm not giving it enough water...do you guys think this could be the case? Like I said, I don't want to kill it, if I'm over-watering it!! I selected to write in this column, I hope I'm not upsetting anyone, since I saw this post with the beautiful Hen & Chick photos, they reminded me about mine and how they are looking!!!

Lisa, move it out of direct sun. Give it filtered light. It is probably over come by the heat and direct sun.

And you are not upsetting anyone by posting here, in fact it is a great way to deal with this type of semp. Can you post us a photo of your planter with the semps in it?
Waiting to hear from you.

Yes I'll take pics when I get home and posts...thanks for the gracious reply!!

I will watch for them. I think you will be able to make a happy home for them. : )

Okay, here it is....(you can see them better fully opened)



When I first planted it, it took up most of the center portion of the bowl.

I also have this one, which seems to be doing much better, I haven't water it as much??

I forgot to say, thank you for any help you can offer!

I see you live in Houston. That might be the problem. In your area, during the summer heat and intense sun, they can't handle full sun.
1. Move it to a bright area, but not direct sun.
2. Does the fish have a bottom drain hole? If not, that can be a problem.
3. Water in the evening but don't let the water get on the leaves. Only water when the soil feels dry up to the first knuckle of your finger.
4. The other succulents you show can take direct sun in your area. May have to do some plant transfers. Maybe put the sempervivum in a different pot so it can be moved to a better location.

All of my sempervivum are in full day, direct sun. But our sun intensity is much lower than yours. Even with that I have to put up a shade cloth if the weather is going to be into the upper 90's to 100 + degrees. A few days are okay, but after they they would start declining.

Here is a photo taken today of S. 'Silver Angel'. This is a very tiny semp that would be wonderful in a small container by itself, as a specimen plant.

Wow, thank you for the good info. Lynn!

They do have drainage holes. So if I were to transfer it to another pot, would it do fine say under a covered patio that faces the South, with East & West exposures? We do not have any trees in our back yard, we back up to a preserve, that is the only tree coverage near us....which was good pool wise, but not so good for shade loving plants...which I kinda miss being able to have sometimes!

Also, what would be a good companion in your opinion to replace in this fish? Lately I have been looking for something that might trail or spill slightly, so Burro's tail probably wouldn't be a good idea...do you think? I love the way they trail.

Your Silver Angel there is gorgeous...I was hoping I could get something to flower one day...what do you do to get them to flower, any special fert. you use, or do they do it on their own once established?

I am so learning about these special creatures, there are so MANY choices, but I still don't understand one from the other too well...duh!

Thanks again for the convo, I really appreciate hearing from someone like you that knows their business around plants!

Oh, and I wasn't sure of the name of mine that is looking bad, is it a Silver Angel too...just a sickly version?

Lisa, I am so glad you found your way here. We love people like you to join in the learning experience. Hopefully we keep learning until the day we leave this earth.
On your covered patio, is that shaded during the day? If so that would be a wonderful place for you little furry semp. It won't take long to recuperate once it is happy.
Blooming happens in it's own time. Some times even the young offsets will bloom. That is not a good thing, because a rosette that blooms will die in the process of maturing the bloom into seeds. But just that rosette dies, not the other in the colony. In my above photo there are three rosettes blooming, but the other small rosettes will fill the vacant spots when the bloom stalk is dead. It is also fun to leave the seed heads in place until completely dry. With luck the seeds will fall to the ground and next year you will find very tiny semps growing.

I use no fertilizer, I like them to stay in a more normal growing state. Better color and hardiness usually is experienced growing them on the lean side.
Have you been through the database here on ATP yet?

There are many great spillers (draping plants) that would be lovely in that fish pot. Let us see what we can come up with.
1. Needs to handle full sun in Houston, TX
2. Drape or spill over the edge.
3. Winter hardy in your zone 8b area. (This can be accomplished by putting it under your patio roof for winter)

Going to see what I can find for a spiller for you.

Hi Lynn,

As soon as I arrived home, I moved my little cobweb under the covered patio, placing her on the East side, so she'll get some morning Sun. We'll see how she likes it there!

Ahhh...I have tons of questions....hope I'm not too big of a pest, please say so...just so eager to talk to someone with knowledge!

I haven't visited as much of the database as I should yet. I found this site when I was searching for some info. on a plant I had picked up from Ikea....yes the furniture store Ikea...lol! I didn't know what the plant was called, or how to find info. on how to care for it, the folks here helped me identify it, and now you, and your messages....well ya'll have been nothing shy of fantastic in sharing information...truly awesome!

I have tried to grow these little guys before, but obviously I continue to pick the wrong ones for our blistering heat, plus the fact that last year was a drought, that didn't help at all. I thought they were more of a drought tolerant plant. Not until very recently, did I realize they were grown in areas such as yours...never had any idea they couldn't take the sun, or else I would have never placed them there. Live and learn, you are so right!! I'm just thankful I asked about her soon enough, knowing I may have a chance with her still is a relief.

So blooming isn't necessarily a good thing...hmmm, never would have thought that either...gosh I have tons to learn about these little ones!!

Ok, so what about watering - do you poke a finger in all of yours to see when they need watering (you mentioned up to your knuckle...if I were to feel wet at the tip of my finger would I still water, or no?) or, are you so in tuned, that it comes natural and you just "know"...also, do you use water from your hose, or rain barrel?

As I said earlier, I still don't know which ones are which...Sempervivum or Sedum...what can take full sun in my zone, vs. the ones that can't.

Thank you again for taking the time with me, and helping to find the right plant for my fish pot!!

Crassula rupestris x perforata) 'Baby Necklace' http://www.paghat.com/babyneck...

Hmmm, wondering if we should go to a forum where we can find other Texans to help with this project. Everything I come up with works for me, but may not work for you in your growing conditions.
Here is the Texas Forum. Post a new thread over there and see if some one can help you choose a nice draping plant for the fish. Just remember to tell them it will be in full sun.
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Can't wait to see what they come up with.

The watering thing will come to you with time and experience. You don't want to keep the soil wet/moist. Just water and don't water again until the soil dries out in the top inch or two.

Thanks so much, will post something there shortly!!

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Hmmmm...I guess no one knows? No one has replied, oh well! I did find Simply Succulents growers, I think they are from your state! I'll just go out to them and see what they may suggest. I want to thank you for your kind help, at least I know to watch what I buy from now on!

Take care,
Lisa

Lisa, look what I found http://www.yuccado.com/all-pla...
They are in Giddings, TX and should have just the thing you need.

Wow Lynn thanks! They use to be right up the highway from us, but now they are about and 1.5 hrs away! That is so cool! I'm gonna go take a peek at their website...thanks again!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Butting in here?

Just a thought. What kind of soil do you have in the struggling pot? These things seem to need a very well-draining mix.

Karen

Karen is correct in questioning the soil.
Lisa when you get you new plant/plants, be sure to ask what soil mix to use for your area. Make a day of it and take the 3 hour round trip drive to Yucca Doo. You won't regret it. You will get on the spot personal help with making a choice of plants and the soil they need to grow in. All tailored to your growing conditions.

Soil could very well be questionable....I must admit I never gave much thought into the soil...my bad!!! I am learning here folks ...thanks for bring that to the fore front!