Daniel, I weed each bed and downsize colonies as I go. Clean up any dead material in the colonies and top dress with a nice layer of #2 chicken grit. I use a knife to lift the edges of the rosettes so I can push new grit under the rosettes, thus keeping them from making contact with the wet soil.

Wow Lynn, that's a lot of work holding knife in one hand and pushing rocks under by the other hand. You are one dedicated Semp Mom!! I better check my big ones and see if they need rocks under them too...
"Hey Hubby, hold this knife, will ya?"

Bev you may as well tell the truth - 'hey hubby this pot looks like it needs some rocks in it, will you do that for me?'

Lynn that does sound like a lot of work! I think about doing it, and do some, but then I cover them and wait until spring to really do the clean up and redressing of the beds!

With mine being exposed to the full on-slot of winter and summer rains I have to do this to keep them from rotting.

Today I spread new gravel on the remaining bare patches in my beds. The light and dusty patches are new gravel over areas that were supposed to house a bunch of fine new cultivars. But with heavy rain and winds forecast I decided not to wait any longer.

Greg, my knees and back will tell a different story!

That looks awesome Tim. I so love your river bed.

valleylynn said:That looks awesome Tim. I so love your river bed.

With all the rain coming, it may well turn into an actual river. How prophetic of you.
I'm a little worried about my newly establishing Sedum areas as they have no gravel to soften the heavy rainfall. Oh well... we all knew the storms would come.

Run out and put the gravel down Tim. Run Tim, run.

Tim looks great! I'm sure Sedum will be fine!
Sounds like this weekend's weather's going to be a mess
Stay dry and warm everyone

Just wanted you folks to know I have not completely given up on my semps. Not sure any of these will make it through the winter. I bought an umbrella greenhouse (plastic) if I can get it put together it might save some. This summer I had a problem with the HOA sprinklers over watering a lot of the items.
emerald empress

Ruby Hearts

Mixed Sedum and Semp noids

Jade Rose (total shade) Not a great picture but surviving so far.

Green Wheel - I just cannot get this one to survive - some sun and overwatered by sprinklers


I have a few others maybe 4-5 but none of much worth showing. And probably will not survive.

Marilyn those are looking pretty good. What are you doing different?

Marilyn... Glad to see you not giving up on our favorite group of plants!!

I also have what you referred to as "HOA sprinklers" and I think this is where and when one should use Lynn's technique of shoving or gently pushing into the place the little rocks/chx grit under the semp leaves to prevent the rotting of the leaves that touch the really soaked soil. I too went out there and kneeled (contrary to the beliefs of someone I won't mention by name but initials are G.C.) with my dental pick in one hand and spoonful of grit rock in other to place under the semps leaves.
I think its going OK but tonite will be true test for them as I just experienced being in a moving car where it felt like somebody was standing on the car roof and dumping buckets of water on the windshield. This is way too much gallon per minute rainwater for me!!

Good luck and hang in there Marilyn. You are a trooper!!

Lynn, I am only doing what I have done in past. The Ruby hearts, Jade Rose and sedums are on the front entry under shade with not too much water. I watered it along with other plants . A bit of over-spray. The Emerald Rose and the Green Wheel are in a small shallow garden trug on the patio where it does get a lot of over-spray and part sun during the day. In that same basket one semp died early on. one is languishing and the other Emerald rose doing OK. I have some other varieties of semps in hyper-tufa on the patio --- some alive but not prospering.

Bev, I bought some pumice stone but have not put it in the pots yet. I even have some dental picks I bought to use but...... What can I say ... procrastination is my middle name... maybe today.

It's stormy in the Pacific Northwest. However we continue to get some sunshine which I really like... even though the wind is pouring by at 40 MPH. Tornadoes have been reported near the coast. Still, you gotta enjoy the sun while you got it.

Agaves, Sedums and Sempervivums...


'Connie' and 'Nouveau Pastel' - small is beautiful


'Bernstein' and 'Gloriosum'


'Pacific Jordan' and 'Legolas' - both have been reliably colorful for me. 'Legola' changes shade but keeps solidly colored all over.

You got enough rocks around that beast-to-be Agave to contain it, Tim?

webesemps said:You got enough rocks around that beast-to-be Agave to contain it, Tim?

The rocks are mostly to contain the soil in a raised manner to allow the Agave to hopefully survive winter. The conspicuous flat rock at the lower right is where I often park my rear on a sunny morning and each direction I turn my head reveals a different succulent planting. It's my fave spot.

Well, thanks for sharing that tidbit with us so that we know where you are on some mornings.

Marilyn wow didn't realize you still had some semps! That's great!!! Looking good too!

Thanks Greg, Did not want to say too much until I was sure they would last a while. I just could not give up entirely,