Jookie, I bet everyone is going to have a different answer to the ideal temp question...for me I think it wasn't just the temp, its also the air flow (which in winter is minimal in my apartment) For information purposes - most of these species are found in mountainous terrain (alpine - meaning above treeline, in most cases) where there is lots of wind, and moisture is largely in the air, groundwater runs off rapidly. So trying to mimic these environment attributes will help. In Michigan it may get very cold for them but if there's snow cover they'll be fine (only since yours have been indoors, this wouldn't be a good time of year to put them back out)
The other thing is that these plants are monocarpic - means that once they flower they die, but only the ones that bloomed, so hopefully before blooming they sent out lots of chicks. As you'll see on many of these threads alot of us want the large full grown semps, yet they will only last for one season (usually) and then bloom, whereas if you start with these young ones, you'll have them for at least a couple of years, and watch as they grow and send out chicks of their own!! I'm thinking that these will send out chicks by the end of summer this year! Especially if you move them outside in a couple of weeks or a month when weather permits! I'd love to hear what other's think too!
Keep on with the questions!! Its a way for all of us to learn!

Jookie, I looked at the plant list that you've put togethr so far and have you listed the much concerned semp in your list yet? Is it the Pacific Green Rose that's listed?

To answer Lynn's question earlier in the thread, I do keep a bunch of mine that don't like a lot of moisture in the garage over the winter. It's an unheated garage and it's only about 10 deg. warmer than outside temps, so it can get pretty cold - easily in the single digits. I set them on the workbench as close to a window as I can and lightly water them maybe 3 times during their stay in the garage (usually around 4-5 months). They generally start to shrink up a bit, but when I stick them outside, they plump right back up.

Jookie, I'm thinking your plants will just kind of sit there until you get the chance to put them outside. But I'm sure they'll take off when that happens.

Thank you for all this information. If I had a garage I would definitely of gave that a shot until it warmed up a bit. I have read that it takes a year before your chicks will start sending chicks out. I believe I have them all in my sunniest window along with my little fluorescent light I just purchased. As far as my semps being the Pacific Green Rose it was the only one I could find on the list that best resembled my Semp. If you guys believe it is something different please by all means let me know. I was reading that sometimes without actually testing the plant it can be very hard to figure out the true species. I know that after they bloom they die off which is really sad after having a plant for so long but the beauty in it is in her babies and that she makes room for them to grow by dying off(or so ive read)

Jookie, if you wonderful little semps didn't come with a name they will forever be called NOID (no id). There are very few of the thousands of semp varieties that can be identified by site. Did you semp come with a name?
There is nothing wrong with having an un-named sempervivum. We all have some of those and love them just as much as the named ones.

About your last question: When the older rosette blooms she does die (monocarpic). But hopefully she has left behind many offset to replace her. She goes out in such a spectacular way, in a blaze of glory, leaving many seeds that are ready to start more offspring when they are planted.

Pretty blooms I believe it will be awhile before they bloom. I just would like to get them to grow and actually look like the mama hen and stop reaching for the ceiling..... I will work on keeping plenty of light on them and see if that helps them a bit more. Michigan needs to hurry up and let spring come so I can plant these babies outside. Thank you all for all the help you have provided. I will be sure to add updated pictures here of my babies to show their progress.

Sounds good! I hope you'll come over and join us in the Sempervivum forum too!

with Chris!

Here is a link Jookie. And be sure to watch for the start of 'Sempervivum Week' which will start up this Saturday.
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Jookie, set your potted semps on a window sill so that the pot actually touches the window. This will chill them down to a more suitable temp and give them enough light. Just don't water them. When the daytime temps start getting above freezing and the nighttime temps start to approach freezing, you can move them outside (the window location will lesson the shock and prepare them for this) When inside, if you absolutely feel the need to water, just mist them so that the plant and soil surface become damp and do that rarely.

Great advice twit.

Thank you so much all of you. I feel great knowing you guys are there for me and my semps. I will move them to a windowsill when I get home tonight and see how they do. Our Michigan temps are getting there. Right now it is 27 degrees out. I will see you all in the sempervivum forum as well! Thank you again!!

See you over there Jookie.

Now in my window preparing for the spring outdoor weather thanks to my new forum friends!!

Jookieblue, I am in Michigan. I only have a few semps for now. Unfortunately the deer are munching them. Hoping to get them back on track soon though. Next year I will cage them for the winter.

Where in MI are you?

Awww, Jookie they look so happy now.

jvdubb said:Jookieblue, I am in Michigan. I only have a few semps for now. Unfortunately the deer are munching them. Hoping to get them back on track soon though. Next year I will cage them for the winter.

Where in MI are you?

JVDUBB I am in the capital city Im moving here in June and will plant them in something I am able to move easily when I put them outside finally. I will have to watch out for deer as well but my hubby is likely to shoot them if they touch my plants lol.

valleylynn said:Awww, Jookie they look so happy now.

Thank you ValleyLynn!! I think they are much happier as well and cant wait for spring so they will love me again!