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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2007 7:20:28 GMT 1
I have quite a few pots of Houseleeks, as I think they are beautiful things. They're all flowering away at the moment but I noticed yesterday that one of my favourite one's is looking very poorly in the centre around the flowering stem. What shall I do to help it? It hasn't any babies so I can't propagate it.I don't want to lose it - it's a lovely deep red one. All the others in that group are flowering and look fine.
Any suggestions please?
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Post by owdboggy on Jul 16, 2007 9:05:57 GMT 1
You do realise that the rosette which flowers will die afterwards? This is one reason for never buying a single rosetted plant. If there is only one and it has flowered then sorry, but you will lose the plant. You could try burying the old flowering stem, on its side, in gritty compost, not very deep, that sometimes produces new rosettes from the leaf joints.  |
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Post by Sleepy on Jul 16, 2007 9:11:11 GMT 1
I didn't know that. Thanks Owdboggy.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2007 9:12:40 GMT 1
AHA! I see, thanks OB! Nice to meet you btw. This is the only one I have that is a single plant - all the others are nice big clumps, so I hadn't noticed any dying before....(not the most observant person, am I??  ) I have several huge patches on my roof - my BIL says they will damage the tiles...I say they won't.....that's not true is it? |
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Post by owdboggy on Jul 16, 2007 12:53:35 GMT 1
Once upon a time in the reign of Charlemange a law was passed making it obligatory to plant them on the roof as a protection from lightning. More recently I read that the way to get them to grow on a roof was to take a cow pat, wire that to the slates and plant the semp. rosettes in that. But to answer the question, since they have fibrous roots rather than deeply delving taproots then I cannot see how, except for the ultimate weight, they can damage a sound sltae or tiled roof. Ashphalt might be different though.
If you know the name of the one you may lose, let me know I might have it. They are dead easy to send through the post.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2007 15:17:50 GMT 1
That's very kind of you OB. I have a feeling that it's not named...I think it was one of those six packs they sell these days - no labels....thanks very much for the offer though.
Are you a keen grower of them then? Do tell... I love them!
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 16, 2007 15:26:29 GMT 1
And me.......
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Post by owdboggy on Jul 16, 2007 17:04:20 GMT 1
I like them. I have about 200 different ones, but a good number now are not labelled. Time and birds have removed them. The National Collection has over 800 in it. One of them is held by Fir Croft Nurseries in Calver in Derbyshire.
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Post by Sleepy on Jul 16, 2007 17:08:56 GMT 1
I like them. I have about 200 different ones, but a good number now are not labelled. Time and birds have removed them. The National Collection has over 800 in it. One of them is held by Fir Croft Nurseries in Calver in Derbyshire. Ooohh... Owdboggy, you could be our resident Sempervivum expert. Plocket is our clematis expert Mick is our cacti and succulents expert |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2007 17:09:58 GMT 1
WoW! 200! I have a fair few to get then......I have about 15.......I don't supppose you fancy posting some pictures OB, please? There are a few pictures of my newly planted pots in the Members section.
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Post by owdboggy on Jul 16, 2007 21:08:31 GMT 1
I claim no expertise, just an interest in them, Jovibarba and Sedums (Join the Sedum Society folks!). Never really taken close ups of the Semps, mainly gone for flowers. I would have to go and do some. This is where some of them reside, mixed in with Saxifrages  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 16, 2007 21:34:13 GMT 1
That's the sort of effect I want in my sempervivum/low maintenance bed at school, OB. I am installing 4 raised beds next term as part of a revamp of my daughters school grounds. Do they mix well with Saxifrages? Any other Spring flowering alpines you could suggest please? I'm always on the look out for someone's brain to pick!
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 8:15:47 GMT 1
I have Sempervivum "Cafe", "Reggie" and Jovibarba sobolifera. Do you want a bit (so to speak) 4P?
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 8:33:30 GMT 1
P.S. or anybody else?
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Post by sweetleaf on Jul 17, 2007 8:47:13 GMT 1
Am I being greedy now? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 8:52:17 GMT 1
Never
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Post by sweetleaf on Jul 17, 2007 8:57:53 GMT 1
 Just the answer I would expect from a gentleman! 
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 17, 2007 12:19:33 GMT 1
Yes please, darling Mr Mick. What a lovely man you are.
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Post by owdboggy on Jul 17, 2007 12:33:02 GMT 1
Semps mix very well with the silver leafed Saxifrages, like S. callosa and S. lingulata etc. Keep well away from the mossy type Saxis though, they are far too invasive for Semps. The more expensive cushion forming Sax are a bit too hard (in my opinion) for a school garden. They need to be kept out of direct sunlight or they die off in patches. Semps of course like the sun. As for companion plants, the choice is huge! I would avoid things like aubrieta, alyssum, Phlox,Campanulas and Iberis(Candytuft). They are all potentially invasive and Semps/Sax cannot really take competition from plants which overshadow them. You could go for some of the early tiny bulbs (lots of types), the easy Androsace, some of the Thymes are small enough. I will have another think. Ask me again when you are nearer time to plant up.
PM me when you need Semps and I can send rosettes of as many as you need. I have not got either Cafe or Reggie by the way!
Finally if you need any advice (sounds pompous that!) on building your alpine area, shout up. I have made a few in my time and had articles published on doing it!
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 17, 2007 12:44:30 GMT 1
Not pompous at all - you are officially nominated as Autumn Fruits Sempervivum Guru! I second Sleepy's nomination - so Bob's your uncle! Here is the link to my gardening club thread. If you fancy trawling through it, the smaller dipping ponds are exactly the same size as the raised beds I am planting up, hopefully as soon as the term starts again in September. www.autumnfruits.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=wildlife&action=display&thread=1172000390&page=1I really want to do a dry habitat one and Sempervivums are probably tough enough and interesting enough to withstand the kids attentions! Thanks very much for the advice already given OB. Rest assured I shall be asking you for lots more info after the summer break! |
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Post by Sleepy on Jul 17, 2007 13:52:11 GMT 1
Neat avatar Owdboggy |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 14:38:07 GMT 1
PM me OBG and I'll sort out Reggie and Cafe.
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Post by owdboggy on Jul 17, 2007 16:40:18 GMT 1
Will do, Mick
Question. I have a series of pictures showing how I propagate Semps and the choice of places where to grow them etc. Should I post them here as separate entires or do a link to the album in Photobucket?
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2007 16:50:21 GMT 1
Blimey OB, you're another Midlander. You lot are taking over..........  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Jul 17, 2007 17:06:01 GMT 1
I would start your own thread Owdboggy. The photo uploader we have on this site is very good, and faster than PB! Instructions how to use it are in FAQ`s If you are more comfortable with PB then continue to use it obviously. Be careful you dont make all of your photos public, though, for your own privacy |
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