Curtis the only seedlings I have to work with this year are the Rifka seedlings that I planted last September. Not sure why I haven't planted the seed that I saved from last year or at least some of it.
Is anything standing out from the seedlings that I saw last year?

Luka, I am so sorry about your Sempervivum being taken over by oxalis. That is going to be a lot of work. We have an oxalis here that looks similar to what you have and if I didn't keep after it, it would take over everything. What is your plan of attack?

What is your plan of attack?

Move the semps, clean them and then destroy oxalis with very hot water. My friend is using this method and he told me it helps.
I have this weed all over my garden but it's not that problematic to control it in let's say lily bed. But sempervivums are very dense and I can't remove these oxalis with roots at all.

You might try using a small paint brush and paint them with something like Roundup. It will kill the weed down to the roots. Once the bed is cleaned up.

I suspect the bed is also full of seeds. I would remove the semps and pour boiling water over the soil. Myself, I just pull the ones that easily come out. No way I can keep up with that stuff. I have another "new" weed that gets long pods that blow up. Then thousands of those things show up. Then repeat. They pull out very easily but thousands, no kidding.

Yes, seeds. Those Oxalis are prolific seeders, with popping pods and root structures to hide with while the above-ground parts are attacked. Nasty!

It is raining often recently, which I am very happy about. I started my spring seeds and will be redoing some of the rock garden later. I knew it was not a good idea to plant the fuzzy Cerastium in such a small-scale planting, but I still did it. There are babies coming up in other places already, but I will just harvest them and hope it doesn't become too much a problem later on. I'll probably just dig it up and replant it in a sunken pot.

At our place in Dallas, OR I found bindweed constantly. It was a daily thing, it would have taken over all the beds in no time. Came in with a delivery of compost.

Alex, I have a sweet little Cerastium alpinum subsp. lanatum. So far I have only found 2 seedlings in three years. I love this tiny fuzzy plant, and it loves growing with the sempervivum.




I love this big semp, 'Alesia'.

What's not to love about 'Alesia'. I wonder why I didn't steal any from you last time.

Here's a few samples of things happening in my garden. Should have weeded first but whatever.

'Woolcotts Varienty'


'Gold Mine'


'Thunder'


'Limelight'


'Hides Roosje'


'Patent Leather Shoes'


'Fame'


'Pink Delight'


'Rita Rose'


'Rita Jane'


And let's not forget little Rosebud.

Wait, did you get a dog Tim?
The semps are looking wonderful, the dog is so very cute.

valleylynn said: Curtis the only seedlings I have to work with this year are the Rifka seedlings that I planted last September. Not sure why I haven't planted the seed that I saved from last year or at least some of it.
Is anything standing out from the seedlings that I saw last year?

There are several I like, I just need to get them replanted so they have more room to grow and increase. I'll take some pictures and post them once that's done. The Green Ice seedlings are all interesting, and I have one Pink Lotus seedling I really like. You'll have to come over later this spring so I can get your opinion on them.

Curtis, I look forward to visiting your wonderful plants again. Likewise, you should come here whenever you have some free time.

Thanks Lynn, once the weather is a little warmer (and drier!) we can see what days/times work.

I am trying to decide what to order. If you would please post your top 5 semps. I am looking for hardy but pretty! I don't care for the ones that grow on top of each other. I do need a really dark one and would love to have a giant. Let me know what you have had success with. Thanks so much!
Teresa

Teresa, here are a few that I have trialed and come out top of the tough list:

'Borscht' this one is dark year round. One of my favorites for form, color and hardiness. About 9", medium producer of offsets.

'Jade Blush' depending on time of year, shades of green and blushes of pink 9" to 11". Heavey producer of offsets.

'Steel Appeal' seasonal color change from light to dark. About 9" to 11", heavy producer of offsets

'Copper Canyon' this one gets really big. Soil type and time of year can give different results for color. I love this big and tough semps. Heavey producer of offsets

'Picasso' I've had this one for many years, grown it in several soil type, it never skips a beat. The color changes throughout the year are wonderful. Very heavy producer of offsets.

'Wirbelsturm' is a medium size rosettes that makes lovely colonies and show interesting colors year round. Medium production of offsets

'Hatra' gets huge, last mature rosette was 11". Color changes every month, always interesting, medium offset production. '

'Passion Dance' is a medium rosette, makes a nice colony and has interesting color.

To be honest, my favorites can change from one day to the next. Depends on who is shining that day. But all of mine have been trialed for hardiness in my growing conditions.

Can't wait to see which ones other recommend.

Thank you, Lynn for posting.

I've got photos coming soon, but I personally think my Semps are looking stunning. The fuzzies are getting fuzzier, and they're pupping!

I'm looking forward to seeing your photos Alex.

Thank you, Lynn! I'll have more pics soon.

They are looking good Alex. Especially that first photo, do you have a name for that one. It is really cute.

Sempervivum 'Urmina', thank you