On May 3rd I got my first two hen and chicks ever from a friend.

For months I have wanted hen and chicks sempervivum, because I have always liked and admired them.

I have never known much about sempervivum though, because I'm mainly studying things like Aeoniums, Echeveria, Crassula (yes, I like Jade plants a lot!), etc. and I'm going to be getting most of my help from my mom @KFredenburg, and the semp experts on this website.

But, as I basically already said, I'm very happy about it, and I know they will bring me much joy.

Happy gardening semp gardeners!

Welcome Johannian!

We like to share a lot of pictures; we'd love to see your new semps!

Beware: they're very addictive and this group is a bunch of enablers!

I'll share pictures very soon, I promise!

Here they are:




Sorry the pictures are fuzzy, but it's because it's dusk at my house right now. I'll get better pictures tomorrow.

My mom @KFredenburg already asked about the identity in the thread "Sempervivum ID" , but the exact species of the succulent is unknown.

Doomed. You are doomed!

Laughing out loud! You are so right!

Johannian - Warning: proceed with caution!. Two months ago my sempervivum collection consisted of two unidentified ones. Today I am
the proud owner of 42 named cultivars and am feverishly working on my Wish List as I write. And most of my new ones, as well as my original two, are already sporting baby chicks like mad - so I have lost tract of the total count - and I am just getting started. Lots of semp vendors out in the West Coast as well as several forum members who have them for sale.

Wow, that's great Don!

Also yes, I will proceed with caution.

Yes, I remember your mom posting photos of those sweet little semps. Congratulations Johannian on your new babies, they are so very sweet. Let this one teach you what it likes and doesn't like, in the way of water, sun, soil, etc. Your growing zone could give you challenges some of us don't face.
@tarev what is your growing zone. Just wondering if you might be in a similar situations as Johannian?

Thanks for the compliment Lynn!

By the way, you might already know, but my zone is going to change almost definitely by 2021 because we are moving. My zones will probably be one of these three: 4a, 4b, or 5a.

Oh wow, that is a huge change in zones. Be sure to take your sempervivum, they will love it.

Yes, they certainly will! I heard that they like snow.

They love snow.

That's good to know. I'm hoping that I'll get way more sempervivums before I leave.

Here are better pictures in the afternoon: (right now)




I just watered it.

Speaking of watering, how much water do semps like Lynn?

Don't keep them wet, it might rot them. If you stick you finger into the soil to the first joint and it's is dry water them. Don't forget about the nice thick layer of grit/gravel mulch that will keep the leaves from coming into contact with the soil.
They are looking better already.

Thanks for the watering info Lynn!

Also, yes I did forget, so thanks for reminding me! Is there a type of gravel mix I can get at the local nursery? Or can I make my own mix?

Do you have a farm store/supply near by? If you do you can get Cherry Stone #2 chicken grit. It is crushed granite. Or you can get 1/4" minus and put it on a screen and wash the dirt out of it.