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Jun 14, 2020 2:45 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Johannian
The Black Hills, SD (Zone 4b)
2Thes. 3:3
Cactus and Succulents Orchids Garden Research Contributor Sempervivums Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
Hello!
My little sempervivum hasn't gotten any bigger, and it's leaves have been withering really fast. I make sure that the leaves don't touch the soil, but they still wither.

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks.

(Pictures were taken right after watering)
Thumb of 2020-06-14/Johannian/1fe590
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“Honorable is the one who prudently avoids danger (provided he does not compromise himself).” -Sir Thomas More
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Jun 14, 2020 3:46 PM CST
Central CT (Zone 6b)
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What time of day are you watering? Evenings after it cools or early morning is best Johannian
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Jun 14, 2020 6:39 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Johannian
The Black Hills, SD (Zone 4b)
2Thes. 3:3
Cactus and Succulents Orchids Garden Research Contributor Sempervivums Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thanks for responding Jesse.
I watered at around 11:30 a.m. today, and I usually water my two semps at around 1:00 p.m.

How often should I water it? I water around once per 1 and half weeks.
“Honorable is the one who prudently avoids danger (provided he does not compromise himself).” -Sir Thomas More
Profile picture is a picture of our Black Lab, Cooper, a few months ago (when he was around 9 months old).
Last edited by Johannian Jun 14, 2020 6:40 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 14, 2020 7:08 PM CST
Central CT (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Butterflies Garden Photography Hibiscus Hummingbirder Sedums
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Johannian said:Thanks for responding Jesse.
I watered at around 11:30 a.m. today, and I usually water my two semps at around 1:00 p.m.

How often should I water it? I water around once per 1 and half weeks.


Watering at those times will be hard on them with that intense California sun, Johannian. Some folks have good luck watering them early in the morning (earlier the better). I prefer to water in the evening once it's cooled off and the sun is down. The idea is to give the rosette time to dry before there's intense sun on it. When you water semps in intense sun and heat they will rot. I learned that lesson firsthand last summer before the group here instructed me better times times to water. Whistling

The frequency you water is really dependent on their location, size of container and soil composition. Also a factor is how established the plant is.

For new transplants, I water more frequently and keep them out of full blazing sun. I didn't really think of it when offering you plants that you'll be planting them in California in June.. Blinking they'll need some TLC to get through the summer. I'd hold off on giving them full sun this summer. If you can give them some kind of high shade or dappled sun that would be best I think. A shade cloth would be ideal until they're established.

I'm sure you'll get some other great suggestions here from some of the more seasoned pros! I'm still relativity new to this as well!
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Jun 15, 2020 10:58 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Johannian
The Black Hills, SD (Zone 4b)
2Thes. 3:3
Cactus and Succulents Orchids Garden Research Contributor Sempervivums Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thanks so much again Jesse!

Also, no worries about us being in CA for too long. By the end of the summer we're supposed to move to SD, where it snows. And they like snow, I've heard!
Now, if I can just keep them alive and going till we actually get to SD...
“Honorable is the one who prudently avoids danger (provided he does not compromise himself).” -Sir Thomas More
Profile picture is a picture of our Black Lab, Cooper, a few months ago (when he was around 9 months old).
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Jun 15, 2020 11:56 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
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Hello Johannian, our current Cali weather is so dry right now, at the same time having intermittent heat wave days too so it is normal for the Semps to try to conserve its moisture by closing down its rosettes.

Usually at this time of the year, I position my Semps in a shadier spot but still outdoors, that way it can still benefit nicely from the overnight cool down.

I do my watering early in the day, when I can see temps are still cooler around 60F to 80F. But once it hits 90F, just got to leave it alone, and let it endure the excessive heat temps.

Typically I do not water anymore at 1pm, my sensors already shows our temps by that time especially when excessive heat is in forecast will already reach 95F to 100F easily. At that point succulents are just in shut down mode, waiting it out for the night cool down, watering it at this time will not serve it any good.

Something I am beginning to see with the adaptation of the semps in my very heated area, if I lighty spray water on it while it is still cool, it can take it, since it is just too dry anyways, Evaporation is so fast and there is more air around. For sure I would not do this in Fall or Winter, I just let Mother Nature do that. But in summer, got to help it find a way to cool down and prepare for the onslaught of the long afternoon heat.

Semps for the most part are nice cool weather succulents. They like lots of bright lot access, good airflow, but will not tolerate excessive dry heat. So better to position in part shade during summer in such a way it is shaded at noon time to 6pm where the duration of excessive heat is highest especially on heat wave days.
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Jun 15, 2020 12:40 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Johannian
The Black Hills, SD (Zone 4b)
2Thes. 3:3
Cactus and Succulents Orchids Garden Research Contributor Sempervivums Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thanks for the info!

I'll follow your guys' instructions...
“Honorable is the one who prudently avoids danger (provided he does not compromise himself).” -Sir Thomas More
Profile picture is a picture of our Black Lab, Cooper, a few months ago (when he was around 9 months old).
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Jun 16, 2020 11:02 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
By the way, your semps have already gone into some heat dormancy, so do not spray the leaves, it may just rot the inner part. But you can still water the soil directly. My semps did not close its leaves yet, so I can still freely lightly spray the leaves allowing excess water to easily drain away. And it has been so terribly windy here, so easy to dry out all the plants.

In most cases too, semps in heat stress, may just bolt, creating flowering stalks, as a final means of survival. Sadly at that point, the plant is in its final phase, so just enjoy the blooming show and hopefully you can harvest seeds...or it may then try to do little offsets to continue its growing legacy.

Summer is just a few days ahead, and already we are getting triple digit heat wave forecasts ugh....so if it is the same on your side, try to protect your plant, position it in shade.

These are my semps, positioned in the cool but still bright side of the garden. I even have it under my bromeliad, to further add some more shade.
Thumb of 2020-06-16/tarev/428f89 Thumb of 2020-06-16/tarev/cd1df2

The city trees by our fence line further helps provide dappled light when the afternoon west sun hits the plants.
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Jun 16, 2020 11:07 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
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Great advice tarev.
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Jun 16, 2020 1:50 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Johannian
The Black Hills, SD (Zone 4b)
2Thes. 3:3
Cactus and Succulents Orchids Garden Research Contributor Sempervivums Vermiculture Garden Ideas: Level 1
Thank you for the advice Tarev! I had no idea semps went into dormancy!! I love learning new things Hurray!
“Honorable is the one who prudently avoids danger (provided he does not compromise himself).” -Sir Thomas More
Profile picture is a picture of our Black Lab, Cooper, a few months ago (when he was around 9 months old).
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