I have a problem

Uh oh. Looks like aphids? Q-tip dipped in alcohol.

That was my question, thank you. I moved this pot away from the others

What horrible little creatures! Does anyone know of a natural way to keep aphids out of the garden?

Lady Bugs and their larva. Check to see if ants are present, they farm aphids.

Yes, lady bugs are vicious predators of our Semp pests
Ants can be a good sign of aphids, they eat/farm the sweet liquid secreted by the aphids

Qtip would not fit between leaves so I dumped a little alcohol in. It was dusk, wind is up, should evaporate

A toothpick dipped in alcohol could help get between the leaves...or I would gently push the leaves down to allow more space to dab if using q-tip.
I use a Dental Pick tool dipped into wintergreen alcohol as it helps bug stick onto the pick better and carry it back into the alcohol solution where the bug drops off and my pick gets re-dipped for next bug. That way I can see how many bugs I took off the plant.

Bev, how effective would it be to just spray the semps with alcohol?

You don't want to dump alcohol on the plant as that will strip the wax. You want to just touch the aphid.

Kevin

If you've already done it I would suggest shading it for a little bit

No I haven't. Thank goodness! I was just wondering about future possibilities. Plants like globiferum or sedum tiny buttons would be difficult to treat this way. I think my aphid problem in under control for now. I usually battle then at least once a year.

Hello, everyone
I have enjoyed my semps this year but don't have any pics to share. Gold Nugget has new babies, would they grow better if I brought them in this time of year? I have grow lights. I sure want them to live!
I was wondering which dark/black semps do the best? Thanks

Teresa, semps do not like the indoors. They belong outside.
There are a number of tough blackish semps.
'Black Magic Woman'
'Borscht'
'Leopold'
I am trialing a lovely dark semp right now (second year) called 'Dracula'. So far it is proving to be a tough semp with lovely year round color.

What size pumice do you all recommend?

Thank you, Lynn! Will you be selling any of those in the Spring?

Yes, Teresa. Maybe starting the end of February.

Ok, excellent! I love the ones with saturated color. I would love recommendations because I am not planning on adding but a few. I like the reddish ones too. I know about Stout and Dykes winners, what can I look up for semps?

Hi, Kevin
I came to your place in 2018 on a bucket list trip. I flew out to the Iris Nationals and my daughter and I had a blast touring gardens in your area. You were a great host

Teresa from Songbird Garden/KY

Hi Teresa!

I'm back on tour again this year too. Hopefully we'll have some letup on the rain between now and then!

Kevin