Today's plant of the day for Sempervivum is Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Zorba').

This plant can be found in the ATP Plant Database at:
Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Zorba') .

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Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Zorba')

A cultivar which is very distinctive. But not easy to take pics of it. It's difficult to figure out the right photo setting. Just to reach balance between light and shadow. And have best contrast.

I think Goldfinch's photo was a good capture of Zorba, don't you think?

Love this semp! My plant bloomed, and a couple chicks were left and then they also began blooming which is what this picture is off, the offsets blooming out

I love that the three photos in the first post show 'Zorba' in different stages. It is lovely with it's wonderful cilia covered leaves.

Greg I see you had one rosette still looking healthy. Did it make it?

Like Wolfgang said, it's a very unique cultivar. Most of the year mine just remains solid green. And I must admit, mine needs dividing badly. I've had it for about 5 years now and last year it just went crazy producing chicks.

I just bought my first Hen and Chicks, although it's just the hen right now, no chicks yet Will regular cactus potting soil work, or is there something better?

I'm looking forward to learning more on this forum!

Hi Ibis,
I find the mix you use has a lot to do with your unique growing conditions. Being in FL where you can have hot/humid summers, I would give the cactus mix a try. You also get summer rains don't you? If so you would want your mix to drain very fast, as heat/humidity can quickly rot your semp. You can even place the container in a spot that is protected from rain, thus controlling the amount of water your semp is getting.

Hope this is helpful information for you?

Thanks, Lynn - yes this is very helpful! The rains haven't started yet, but I usually amend store-bought potting soil with a generous amount of perlite anyway, to make sure it drains well. I can't do much about the humidity though - maybe it's better if I keep these inside during the summers?

They should be okay outside during summer. Just give them a spot that gets bright light, not full sun, and will only get water when you give it to them. That should protect them from the heat and humidity.

Lynn, I do have 3 small chicks of Zorba! But they are all looking happy so pretty sure they'll offset readily this year!
Ibis good luck with your semps! They are fun little plants!

Good to know Greg, thank you for the report. Was it under cover this winter. I know your area gets a lot of rain in the winter and spring.

Yes all my semps get plastic covers placed over them, this year, from late November and probably until mid March. If I notice there are several days of sunshine expected, I'll open the plastic to let the semps breath!

Three cheers for hoop houses !!!!!

Totally saving my semps!

It sure kept them healthy looking all through these many weeks of rain.

Hoop hoop hurray!