Hens and Chicks

One of the new plants I bought the other day was Hens and Chicks. It cost $.56 so I couldn't leave it there. But it is rather 'leggy'. Should I cut it back (it is a really small plant) and then lay the cuttings on the soil so they can root? The ones I have seen are rather compact. Help :-?

 

I would like to see what you mean by "leggy." Sometimes one of mine will come lose . . . and have a long spindly thingy coming out of the center. I thought it was a root, and just buried it under the soil.

 

I don't have a picture of it. The bottom leaves have fallen off and there is nothing between the soil line and the top of the plant. Does that make sense? Otherwise I don't know how to explain it. :-?

 

This is the Sempervivum-species you're talking about? They put out smaller rosettes from the big one in the middle, and when it blooms, the rosette dies? I do what SOJ does, leave it to get on with it and put any loose rosettes back into the ground. I never cut the babies away from the mother plant unless I'm giving them away or moving them to another location.

 

Where did you find such a great deal!?

 

Wal*Mart

 

That was a good deal Kuntrygal.

 

Yeah... couldn't pass up $.56 I did however go ahead and cut them back. The same way you (I) do any plant if you want it more compact. I put the part I cut off back in the soil. I will see what happens, but my guess is they will start rooting Hoping anyway

 

Soon you'll have babies to transplant anywhere. My dad gave me my first hens & chicks and Now I have moved them around my pond, around rocks, trees, anywhere. Good luck with yours.

 

Thanks Petunia! Hope I'll have lots of babies!!

 

hope you'd let us see them when they come

 

That is a bargain. I love hens & chicks planted in odd containers, saw some really interesting ones in the garden center last year. I keep thinking about finding something unusual to plant them in, but I lack inspiration.

 

I have planted hens and chicks in an old metal watering can that had rusted through the bottom. They look great and are green year round.
I have also seen them planted in old boots with the tongue open to show allow the plants to spill over the shoe. That works well also. diene

 

I have loads of hens and chickens....They must of been stretching for light . Mine never got leggy..
I have oodles of red and green ones.

Just bury the stem the whole way and let the top out.
Mine live by the chimney and love it there in worthless soil.. Mostly rocks.

If you need some , let me know in the spring.......Snow now..

 

Thanks Barb, but by the looks of things, I will have enough. They do grow fast.