Hi, I tried to grow Sempervivum, & Jovibarba 2 years ago. I ended up losing them all.And I had maybe 50 of them. Is it to hot here for them? When I lived in Indiana they did fine for me. I am not sure what I did wrong.. Has anybody tried them in the hot dry weather that we have? Would love some help , any thing. I have tried to read as much as I can on ATP. But for the most part seems to be in eastern states that they are grown in. I have a covered patio that has shade all day long. Also have fruit tree (2) that lots of light but no sun I could put them under. Oh yes, can only plant in pots. Is that a problem? But in summer we do get up to 110 or so. I love reading what you guys say and looking at all of the wonderful pictures. I hope you guys can help.. Thank-you for letting me ramble on, Mary

Hi Mary, I don't have any answers - I live in Seattle and aside from the wetness, they seem to really like this environment! On a different thread I read, Lynn wrote that they need some cold temperatures yearly to do well. What you are able to grow though are all those lovely Aeoniums and Echeverias!! Some of which can look like semps! (I love all the rosette type plants!) Also there was someone who said she "ices" her semps in the winter - I don't know if she was joking or not (since its not something I'd do - if it needed that much work it wouldn't make it in my garden I totally appreciate her tenacity though
Anyway, there are a few people who live in CA on this forum, they may even be in zone 9, and also Sheryl, who's in AZ too, we'll see what they have to say!
Cheers

Hi Mary. It may be that you won't be able to keep them healthy in your extreme dry heat. You might try one container under a tree. Give it ice cubes in the evening during the summer heat. Just a few. It would cool the soil surface and give small amounts of water to the plants.
Do you have any photos of the ones you lost? I think some are more tolerant of heat than others. Like the arachnoideum types.
What are your winter temperatures like?

Lynn my arachnoideums kinda went downhill... Do they not do as well in our rain?

Do you have a photo Patty? They some times suffer in our long rainy season, but seem to recover quickly once the drier weather arrives. Just make sure they have really good drainage, and may tuck chicken grit up under the rosettes.

Patty some of mine look terrible, but I know they're going to be fine like Lynn says once it dries up!

Greg, any of the ice cube advice above ring a bell ? That way you can quit asking if we non-semp-experts are the ones that do that...

Got me again Bev!

Thanks Guys!!
I will wait on the semp. I think for now. I will look into arachnoideum and echeverias. I have seen them here when I was looking for the semp's. No Lynn I didn't take pictures of the ones I lost. Wish I had. You guys are so sweet to help me. I will keep reading and maybe I will find a few that will grow in this heat.

Please do let us know what ones you have success with! (I did see a listing on one of the nurseries that said USDA zones 4-9 so I guess it has been done! And like Lynn said the webby fuzzy ones probably will do better in your weather!
Cheers