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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 10, 2008 16:56:23 GMT 1
Just a thought - excellent plants for children to grow.
Tough as old boots, don't have top worry about watering, their little fingers can't break them etc.
Joe took one of my offsets, the first pot he could find, planted it with garden soil, put it on top of the playhouse and forgot it.
It's now filled the pot and he's all excited about putting it tinto a bigger pot tomorrow all on his own.
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Post by debbiem on Oct 10, 2008 16:58:46 GMT 1
That's good to hear.  I bought a bargain bundle at B&Q but they haven't found their right spot yet. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 10, 2008 16:59:24 GMT 1
Aw....I love 'em! I still have some of OB's for the new school too.....I didn't want to waste too many on the old school...I shall use them in some little clay pots with the children. They are gorgeous little plants I think. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 10, 2008 17:00:54 GMT 1
They suit clay pots too.
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 10, 2008 17:02:08 GMT 1
It's good fun to decorate the pots first too - children love doing that!
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Post by Sweetleaf on Oct 10, 2008 17:10:15 GMT 1
Ever living, it means doesnt it? So how come they die after flowering then? I do think the flowers are excellent, (and strange) , but they remind me of something else.  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 10, 2008 17:14:00 GMT 1
Ever living, it means doesnt it? So how come they die after flowering then? I do think the flowers are excellent, (and strange) , but they remind me of something else. Each head is monocarpic but then it rots down and feeds the other heads. I put Sempervivums on my Dad's grave about 12 years ago - the top is concrete and they were just held in place by glass chippings. No soil at all. They have now almost filled the space. |
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Post by debbiem on Oct 10, 2008 17:34:51 GMT 1
Ever living, it means doesnt it? So how come they die after flowering then? I do think the flowers are excellent, (and strange) , but they remind me of something else. Each head is monocarpic but then it rots down and feeds the other heads. I put Sempervivums on my Dad's grave about 12 years ago - the top is concrete and they were just held in place by glass chippings. No soil at all. They have now almost filled the space. You've got me thinking now Mick. I've been wondering how I can 'adorn' my Dad's plaque on the wall at the crematorium - it only juts out a tiny way and juts straight out with no groove - I wonder? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 13, 2008 14:25:17 GMT 1
I had to persevere initially Debi, particularly as the first lot were stolen but of course they need no maintenance at all once they have taken.
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Post by debbiem on Oct 14, 2008 10:00:10 GMT 1
They were stolen from your dad's grave? It doesn't get much lower than that!
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Post by owdboggy on Oct 14, 2008 11:55:57 GMT 1
Only problem we have is the blackbirds dig them up, especially the red ones for some reason.
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Post by debbiem on Oct 14, 2008 12:28:07 GMT 1
And I would try some on the roofs of our sheds but we have seagulls and squirrels who would do the same here, and magpies, a couple of wood pigeons, there'd be a queue forming!
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Post by debbiem on Nov 10, 2008 10:36:06 GMT 1
I'm not sure if my sempervivums are doing OK or whether they need some serious attention - I've got them planted in a couple of seed trays with mixed compost and poultry grit, I've planted them like that while they're 'pending', i.e. I haven't found the right place for them yet. They're looking a bit brown underneath the rosettes, should they look like that? I'm thinking of bringing them indoors and having them as houseplants atm.
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 10, 2008 11:25:20 GMT 1
No, don't bring them in unless you have an Alpine house.
They will look a bit tatty through winter but come spring they will be off again.
They do like as much sunshine as you can find Debs..
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Post by debbiem on Nov 10, 2008 16:50:53 GMT 1
Thanks Mick - I've got them in the sunniest spot but it's tipping down atm, I think they could do without all the damp. Good to hear that they do get tatty this time of year though. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 10, 2008 17:00:54 GMT 1
Kew's general collection stays out all year round.
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Post by debbiem on Nov 11, 2008 11:13:18 GMT 1
I think I'll give them some permanent homes in pots and troughs and give them an early Christmas present. |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 11, 2008 12:01:23 GMT 1
I have some in a little round trough and they have been there for about 4/5 years outside, with no problems!
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Post by debbiem on Nov 11, 2008 13:27:45 GMT 1
That's encouraging Keith, thanks! I think mine'll be happier in a permanent place, too - what compost do you have them in? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 11, 2008 13:53:33 GMT 1
If you can get a stone sink and some appropriate rocks, they could look very good.
Soil should be well drained i.e sandy/stony.
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Post by debbiem on Nov 11, 2008 14:53:21 GMT 1
That's great! We have HEAPS of stones here.  Thanks Mick. |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 11, 2008 16:47:51 GMT 1
That's encouraging Keith, thanks! I think mine'll be happier in a permanent place, too - what compost do you have them in? If I remember correctly, J.I. no. 2 with added grit! |
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