Viewing post #881305 by msrockwood

Well, I have come to the conclusion that these hot and humid summers are just to much for semps.....I did better than last year with them and have learned so much from everyone and all of the posts here. What I have discovered is that when I put most of my semps outside, they practically melt either from the water in the air or the intense heat, maybe both. Is that going to stop me? Of coarse not! I find that when I keep them inside, they stay nice and firm the problem I have with that is the lighting. Every place that I have a window ( facing north) is either in a bedroom or my sliding glass door so those are not suitable places for them so I found a nice little nook on my kitchen counter ( I don't cook much) and it has some flouresent lighting under the cabinets. I was thinking of buying some grow lights, I found some that fit but is it even worth it? Are there some that are better than others? I only have to keep them inside until about September and then it starts to cool down and the humidity is much nicer. I know that seems a bit much for some but I love Semps and haven't found another type of plant that I enjoy as much. My sedums are doing ok so they are outside but my semps just fall apart in the summer, they either get burned and need water but then when I give them water, even a few tiny droplets, they get crown rot. Are there any other suggestions out there? Perhaps something I can add to prevent crown rot? I have purchased multiple types of potting soils, perlite,Chicken grit, pumice, sand, etc. so I know the drainage is not the issue anymore like last year. Any help would be very much appreciated