Great tip Lynn. I forgot when I started getting mine, but I think I will start early this year. Growing plants is like having a baby. Right afterward you think to yourself, never again. But then comes Spring! And I am very ready for Spring and new plants.

I love getting them started in the spring and early summer, they do so well by the time summer drought and winter comes along.

valleylynn said:That is wonderul jread. Would love to see photos if you have some. How do the sempervivum do indoors? How long do you keep them indoors?

My container is pretty boring which is why I held off on pictures. It will be inside most of the year. The ones I have planted in the 5-1-1 mix will be outside permanently come spring, which can't come soon enough. Those that I have outside now are buried under about 2.5 feet of snow with more on the way this week I don't know what variety those are, but they were a great burgundy color before the snow came.

Can't wait to see them.
Here is one that is in Al's Potting Mix. It is indoors until warmer weather arrives as it is a tender perennial.
Aeonium 'Irish Bouquet'

Lynn, that is so pretty. Did you have it outside before it got cold. I ask because I would love to bring mine in and out as the weather dictates, but I don't want any gnats or visitors coming in with them.

Jread, never mind about the pots, that can come later. I'd love to see the photos. And thanks so much for all the info.

I keep it indoors during the winter and put it outside when weather warms up. It is a tough little plant. I did spray it when it was time to come indoors.

What do I spray it with that really works?

I got an indoor spray for plants. Sprayed them the day before I brought them in, then a week after I brought them in. This is the first time I have done this. Last year I was plagued with fungus knats and fruit flies and even a new plant with scale. This year no pests at all. What a relief, last year really scared me.
I am sorry to report I don't have the can anymore so don't know the name of the product. I did get it from Walmart.

Oh well, if you see it again at Walmart, I'd love to know the name. It sounds like it worked great.

I found the can Debbie. : )
It does have some warnings on it about how to use it properly. Mostly common sense stuff. This is the only bug killer I used all year, inside or out. And only used it twice when I brought the plants indoors. I took the cat and both dogs outside when I sprayed. We worked outside for awhile, when I came back in I opened all the windows and aired the house out. I only sprayed in the tiny sun room and our large laundry room where I keep plants for the winter. I don't spray in the kitchen either.
It's a green can of Raid House & Garden spray (indoor /outdoor). It worked, this winter I have not had one gnat, fly, mealy bug and whatever else can come in with the plants. : )

Oh thanks so much Lynn. I'll check it out. I was thinking that, hopefully we were going to have a shorter winter this year, because it has been so beautiful and warm the last days. But, we will dive down to the 20's by Wednesday morning, so I guess I will need to get some after all.

Or go to your local garden center if you don't find it at Walmart. They would have something that would work. I am just so thankful not to have the gnats this year.

Thanks again Lynn. I pray ya'll don't get too cold up there!

A bunch of our members are being hit with really bad weather, snow, ice and very cold weather. All of you take care and stay safe.

Thanks Lynn. I'm sure we're all trying!

http://www.squawmountaingarden...

This link was posted up above and it doesn't work - I guess they've taken that page down, and they don't seem to have another to take it's place.

They changed their name to SMG Succulents. Here's the new link: http://www.smgsucculents.com/

Thank you Jacki, they did change there site. Same company and still in the same area of Oregon. I just went to see if they still have that info on the new site. They don't. Maybe I will email them and ask if they can put that on this new site. It was really great information.

I had changed the link over in LINKS but never thought about links that might be in the threads. I better go start looking.

Thanks for the new link here Chris.

I did find the new website, but no, they don't have that info. I'm working on my own page on my site for soil for succulents, so very interested in other sources of info.

Hi Lynn Most of mine are planted in broken clay pot pieces.
I live in Henderson, NC and any planting is in raised beds, all soil here is hard red clay. I do appreciate any and all help.
Thank you big bunches
Faye