I am trying to differentiate between types of sempervivum. I have noticed that the sempervivum that have the "waxy" tough kind of leaves survive my strong sun better than the ones that have no waxy feel and are more "papery". eg: tectorum = mine are waxy and can survive direct heat though - may singe (but doesn't die) while my Flamingo is "papery" and needs more protection or it just burns to a crisp in the dappled sun. (our UV is deadly down here)

So, is "tectorum" a type with many varieties? Or does tectorum mean something else.

Is there a list of the waxy semp types that I may be better off buying in my climate? I am limited in Australia for variety but I'd like to search, maybe try seeds (yikes).

Sorry if I don't explain myself well.

Hi Patti.
Tectorum is a species of Sempervivum. Sempervivum tectorum. Many of our hybrids are carry S. tectorum genes. Some are a cross between S. tectorum and other sempervivum species, as in S. arachnoideum, S. marmoreum, S. montanum, and many other sempervivum species.
I think you will have to do it trial and error. Some of the arachnoideum cross types do well in heat, but not the tiny ones, the larger ones.
I think 'Flamingo' is a bit touchier with growing conditions. Have you tried any of the calcareum?

Can you point us to the site you purchase from? Maybe we can go through their photos and get an idea of what might work?

Patti, I would add that the smaller semps will tend to dry out quicker than the larger thicker ones, so need more regular water during the hotter times. Also, the darker colored semps may also get hotter in the sun than green ones. I have also noticed here that the roller types (Jovibarba) hold up better for me during the hotter times of the year than some other types.

Great points twit. I also find that the calcareum do well in our hot and dry summers. But they do suffer with our very long and cold rainy season.

Looks like I need to try some calcareum.

I love the calcareum. I may have lost most of mine from moving them so late in the fall. Time will tell.

Oh No, Lynn Hope they stay with you.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. These are the sites I will be buying from. http://www.roraimanursery.com.... and http://www.thesucculentgarden.... and I know the ones I love (reds and pinks and purples and lots of contrast)

I have a baby arachnoideum type which I rescued from the floor of a nursery (it must have fallen off its hen somewhere) which is doing exceptionally well in the heat. It was the size of a dime, now it's about a silver dollar size. I also have another unidentified one, which seems to be somewhat waxy, dark olive green to grey in colour, curly purple tipped leaves, very beautiful and delicate but small with LOTS of bright pink offsets. It's constantly etoliating.

The Flamingo's petals open and close from day to day, it changes color a lot and I'm moving it around to find a place where it can be happy. It has 3 new offsets. It's so beautiful but boy is it touchy.

On the other hand, my two types of garden semps I can dig up and throw anywhere and they grab on within 24hrs and start growing. Even if I take them out of the ground and don't plant them for a month they still survive!

Some tough semps.
S. 'Oddity'
S. 'Sunset'
S. 'Cafe'
S. 'Bronco'
S. 'Blue Boy'
S. 'Grey Lady'
S. 'Limelight'
Any of the S. globiferum (rollers) as twit mentioned in his above post. They are tough and amazing plants to have in the garden or containers.
Most of the S. heuffelii should work for you.

I grow the above semps in full sun, and they have done very well in out hot/drought months of July, August & September.
Others may have more suggestions from their experience with different ones.

Thank you Lynn! I will check them all out 🌼 and find some globiferum. A couple of my new heuffelii are going bright red! Gorgeous.

Photos Patti. We want to see the heuffelii going red.

I agree with Lynn that Bronco is a toughie.
I am in zone 9b which doesn't seem to indicate extreme temps but I have lost semps for one reason or another despite the "mildness" of this zone. The ones that have survived for 3 years with no problems are:

Pacific Green Rose
Kramer's Spinard
More Honey
Brownii
Green Wheel

Please note that these have been survivors but not necessarily producers of many offsets.

S. 'Oddity' went kaput in my garden after summer..but it did well during late spring to all of summer. S. 'Rubellum Mahogany' and S. 'Kalinda' did very well during summer here, but with some frequent watering; this winter, it is still doing okay, loves the cool and dry temps and the days of fog we had. Our summer conditions here are extremely dry, 90F and higher to triple digit heat.

Great information Bev and tarev.

Not mentioned, but I think that Bronco is one of the most beautiful semps there is. It consistently makes my top 10!

I have to agree with what twit said. I haven't had Bronco very long, but it's coloring is stunning. A must have for me.

I'm going to get pics tomorrow! It's been raining and raining. I lost one of the heuffelii babies (it was very small). I am holding on to hope but the others are going well.

I did manage to identify the red/gold/green semp. It's called "Sunset"

Looking forward to seeing photos of your 'Sunset'.
A lot of rain with warm/hot temps can be very hard on our semps, hope you don't lose anymore.

valleylynn said:I have to agree with what twit said. I haven't had Bronco very long, but it's coloring is stunning. A must have for me.

• Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Bronco')
• Uploaded by banker07

I've got some Bronco chicks overwintering and ready for planting out in the spring . I look forward to seeing them growing to full size and having families of their own.
My Sempervivum Arachnoideum / Tomentosum are looking very much the worse for wear after all the rain and frost . Not sure yet if they're gone to semp heaven.

Hopefully they will recover Paddy, once your drier weather arrives.