Hi, I'm new here, but I have been checking out the forums! I feel weird jumping into the middle of a conversation so just thought I'd start here!

I went a little crazy with the Sempervivum collection this Summer. I have about 50 cultivars now, but some of my favorites are these crested ones. I love how unique they are!

These are both Faramir.

Alyssa,

Two of my hybrids, 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' and 'Mad Hatter', are champs for producing crests. They both descend from 'Denise's Cobweb', which does it quite regularly too. 'Mad Hatter is a bit bigger than the others and I've seen it make 6" crests.

I see you're in PORTLAND. When we have clinics again, you'll have to come.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin, I was wondering what the clinics were. Sounds interesting!

I have not seen a crested semp with webbing in person but they are very cool! Seems as though depending on how they crest, you may get a giant web.

I have a couple Bediveres with crested offsets which are pretty small but I will be excited to watch them grow. Curious how different cultivars are more prone to producing them!

Alyssa,
Great photos of your crested 'Faramir'.
Here is a photo I took in Kevin's garden, a huge crested bloom on his 'Dark Cloud'. It is so much fun to find these in our collections. The bloom stalks are so interesting.

Sure hope you can come to the clinic next spring. We have such a great time.

Hi Lynn!

I don't see the photo, but I'd love to! I looked up the 'Mad Hatter' and of course, it is now on my list. Google showed me a photo of a crested 'Jungle Shadows' that was AMAZING!

I look forward to any Sempervivum gatherings, they sound wonderful!

Check this out. I noticed some growth happening on this crested semp and then realized it seems to be sending stolons out the top! I am wondering how that is going to work!?

Sorry about that Alyssa, I forgot to add the image.


Your stolons look like they might end up as bloom stalks. Hard to tell just yet.
We'll have to give you a shout out next time we have a small gathering for just visiting.

Who's that guy with the big hands??

Kevin

That IS an incredible bloom. Wow!

Oh no, I so hope mine isn't blooming.

I will be watching it closely, I have not had a crested semp bloom yet.

I did get some 'Faramir' offsets. I really love their subtle color right now.

JungleShadows said:Who's that guy with the big hands??

Kevin

Description says the photo was taken in your garden.

and I should have added "poor fashion sense"!

That was an impressive crest and blooming too. Must have been a foot across.

Kevin

You guys are cracking me up!

Am glad you enjoyed the foolishness!

It is odd that some people REALLY hate the fasciated ones but I've always found them fascinating.

'Denise's Cobweb' makes such tiny ones that you have to look to see them, very subtle. About 1/10th of the kids from it make fasciated rosettes and some like 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' and 'Mad Hatter' make them frequently. I have never had flowers on 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' although 'Mad Hatter' makes large crested bloomstalks too.

Melissa did have a bloomstalk on 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' this year so it;s not impossible.

Kevin

I think some people are bothered by things that won't just do what they are supposed to do. The crested plants are just doing their own weird thing and I can relate to that. I too find them fascinating.

I bought several on clearance this Summer. I imagine most people did not know what they were or thought something was wrong with them.

I like to grow something new and different all the time because it's so fun.

Kevin, Fuzzy Wuzzy ended up producing a boat load of bloom stalks. They are all clipped and upside down in a paper bag. Now I just need to get them to you.

Melissa,

Well I've grown 'Fuzzy Wuzzy' FOREVER. I made the cross in '72. All of the seedlings were smallish tufted types. 'Hot Shot' and 'Devil's Advocate' were siblings. Helen didn't like the idea of "promoting the Devil" by the way!

How about you shipping them to me and I'l ship you back a few plants you might not have!

Kevin

That is great that you can finally grow some seeds from 'Fuzzy Wuzzy'.

I went from denial to almost hoping this is flowering because I want to try growing some semp seedlings this Winter and it would be cool to try seeds from this.

Alyssa,

Often the seeds on fasciate stalks don't mature properly so maybe it;s just as well!

Kevin