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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 5, 2007 14:50:21 GMT 1
Any sempervivum fans out there?
When I was on my honeymoon a hundred years ago, we went to the botanical gardens in Amsterdam and they had a fantastic display which I have never forgotten. I'v got about half a dozen varieties but would like some more.
They are the only plant I know that you can grow without soil.
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Post by plocket on Mar 5, 2007 15:43:55 GMT 1
I wouldn't call myself a fan but I like them. My grandpa used to have them on the roof of his cottage ;D I've got a pot of them in the garden but they always look naff at this time of year  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 5, 2007 16:02:45 GMT 1
I used to have a nice spread of them around the base of my lamp post in the back garden, the man who came to paint the post, trod all over them, and they then rotted. I have some succulents I was given, unnamed, which look similar, but flower differently. They used to plant Sempervivum or Houseleeks on roofs to ward off lightning Plocket, I'm not sure if it worked. I remember a story about a house which was visited by the fire brigade, because from a distance the flowers fooled someone into thinking the house was ablaze....may or may not be true  I went to Amsterdam Botanical Gardens last year Mick ;D |
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 5, 2007 16:23:05 GMT 1
Did you see Dutchy?
When my Dad died 10 years ago (and I still miss him) his ashes were interred into his parents and sisters grave (sorry this is a bit morbid - bear with me) and because he always loved his garden I wanted to do something permament for him but the grave was concrete top with chippings on. So I broke up some American hybrid Sempervivums that I had and simply poked them in among the chippings. They all took but the first lot were stolen after a year or two and I had to "replant". There are now some big clumps and the top is about 60% covered. I have never added soil or anything - just left them to their own devices. Amazing plants and very colourful in summer.
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Post by The witch on Mar 5, 2007 16:53:07 GMT 1
Any sempervivum fans out there? When I was on my honeymoon a hundred years ago, we went to the botanical gardens in Amsterdam and they had a fantastic display which I have never forgotten. I'v got about half a dozen varieties but would like some more. They are the only plant I know that you can grow without soil. I'm a fan Mick - I push baby ones into the crevices of an old wall to cheer it up  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 5, 2007 17:11:13 GMT 1
That sounds excellent Reet. How does it look?
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 5, 2007 17:17:30 GMT 1
I did see Dutchy! Shes very nice as you`d expect, as is her OH ;D My sempervivums grew almost out of the concrete the post was set in, amongst the pebbles I used to disguise it, but they didnt survive the painters size 9`s  |
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Post by The witch on Mar 5, 2007 17:18:43 GMT 1
I'm hoping the wall will look good soon, but I may never really know - they grow well in gravel too.  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 5, 2007 17:53:29 GMT 1
Im not allowed to plant anything on my parents grave, they mow between the graves, we arent allowed to put anything there not even chippings, The marble vase was stolen too. My mum and dad were both gardeners as well. My body is supposed to go in the same place, its a "3 man hole" but I want to be under a tree ideally. Sorry if Im depressing anyone. |
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Post by plocket on Mar 5, 2007 17:55:04 GMT 1
That's pretty cool about roofs Sweetleaf but possibly an old wive's tale all the same! As for the size 9 boots - you should ask him to replace and replant them for you ;D
My pot has some soil but that's underneath a good layer of little pebbles. I just leave them to their own devices and they seem to do ok.
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 5, 2007 18:03:58 GMT 1
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Post by plocket on Mar 5, 2007 18:15:19 GMT 1
Hey that's cool Sweetleaf! I must admit that I nicked a bit off grandpa's roof after he died so that's in my pot, but these days I couldn't tell you which was his originally, and which ones I've bought. I might have to find a few of the babies and "plant" them on my roof to see if they take!
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 5, 2007 18:20:19 GMT 1
I dont think modern roofs are going to be ok for that Plocket, it might force under the tiles and break them.....perhaps a gravel bed?
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Post by plocket on Mar 5, 2007 19:18:42 GMT 1
Point taken Sweetleaf - I've got a shallow bowl of them so that will have to do.
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 5, 2007 20:23:28 GMT 1
I LOVE sempervivums. I have a little patch on the roof near my velux window which has spread pretty well. Smallest loves them when they flower - she thinks they're rude but funny...... I have several different sorts in pots now - I particularly love the deep red shades. Gorgeous. When I went to Harlow Carr last year they had a wonderful display tucked in a doorway. I went to the shop to buy some of them and they didn't have any of my favourite ones. I was sooo tempted to nip some babies out of the pots - but I resisted! I bought some of my second favourites instead and they've come through the winter really well - lots of babies for potting on. ;D
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 5, 2007 21:26:51 GMT 1
I like them too. The ones in my alpine sink didn't make it this year, but luckily I planted up 2 shallow terracotta dishes with babies AND took loads of cuttings that are doing well in the CF  . I'm planting a big dish of them up for one of my sisters this spring as she's always lusting after mine...she'll kill them....she's got black fingers not green ones....  |
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Post by elsie on Mar 6, 2007 9:17:35 GMT 1
I love sempervivums too  |
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Post by plocket on Mar 6, 2007 9:25:33 GMT 1
Hia Elsie! That is a lovely trough, and I like the little mole too  |
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Post by The witch on Mar 6, 2007 9:45:36 GMT 1
Lovely selection you have there Elsie I must find a suitable container and do something similar this year too  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 6, 2007 10:37:12 GMT 1
That looks brilliant, Elsie, Someone please remind me how to make hypertufa! I want to cover one of my sinks ;D |
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 6, 2007 10:40:46 GMT 1
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 6, 2007 11:49:27 GMT 1
Elsie, I spy an Echeveria and an Aloe in there as well...
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Post by elsie on Mar 6, 2007 21:31:18 GMT 1
I love Echeverias and Aloes as well |
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 7, 2007 9:24:29 GMT 1
Elsie, I have some spare Aloe seedlings. If you pm me with your address I will send a couple to you.
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