Hi Sandi,
My Maria Laach are nearly black, just like those we both saw at Timberline. They make a fantastic contrast with the iceplant nearby:

I love it! Amazing what a few degrees in temperature will do.

Nice combo Tabby!

Thanks Chris.

SAndi, I've noticed that Lynn's and Twit's semps aren't as dark as mine and I wonder if it's temperature or my near constant, intense sun. Something is different because some of mine came from Twit and yet they are darker than his.

Does anyone have chicks of that one to trade?
http://pinterest.com/critterga...

Which one?

I was comparing the 'Maria Laach'. My semp is in intense sun and slightly higher temps than yours and not as dark in color.

Critter, if you want some Maria Laach, then I have lots of that one. It's very very productive.

Atroviolaceum has some nice water marks at the moment. I'm fairly certain this was a MCG co-op plant.

Do different varieties of sempervivum have varying lifespans, as I would imagine?

What is the average life for a rosette until it blooms and dies?

Color depends on growing conditions and time of year/seasons. For some spring comes early and for others it comes much later. Full sun, or partial sun makes a difference in color.
I don't have Marie Laach, so not sure what the intensity of color would be. Sure is lovely though, love the photos. Have you added them to the database?

Life span will vary with cultivar/species and growing conditions. Normally you can expect at least 2 year and more before a rosette will bloom. I have had some that have never bloomed.
I found S. 'Hookerii' blooms easily. Some of my tectorum have not bloomed in the 10 years I've had them.

That is quite an interesting difference among cultivars, Lynn.

I have an unknown tectorum (the old fashioned one) that in 12 years has only had two rosettes that bloomed. And I have a lot of them. : )
I need to start keeping a record of the blooming habits of the different ones growing in my beds.

And have many bloomed (and died) without leaving any chicks behind?

Are there any cultivars in the habit of doing that?

tabby said:Hi Sandi,
My Maria Laach are nearly black, just like those we both saw at Timberline. They make a fantastic contrast with the iceplant nearby:

This one!

According to Geiger site, Maria Laach is prone to crests and interesting forms. Watch yours closely for the unusual.

Janice, was that last year that they bloomed? Seems we all had problems last year.

Lynn have not had that problem as yet.
Remembered someone had mentioned that happening.

Sorry Janice, must be travel lag.

Rose Queen has some unusual colors. I like how some of the leaves have a "seam" down the middle. This was a new one for me last year.


Aphrodite is looking good. It's has a real velvety texture.


Sparkle is an arachnoideum that I got last year. Mature hens are about 1-1/4 diameter.