I found pots of Sempervivum 'Jade Rose' on sale at Lowe's last night...$1.50 each!! I have tried growing three of them many years ago but they each came in separate pots so they were easy to plant. A squirrel ate them within a week, but that's another story. I have a 3 foot long old chicken feeder that I want to plant them in and that means separating the clumps. The only planting directions on the tag refer to planting them in the clump they are now. Any suggestions on how to separate them to prevent damaging the roots? New Hens and Chicks ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )
I don't do anything special when I am separating them for putting into pots or baskets. I see them shoot out new hairy roots within a week or so. Just don't overwater them thinking they need water to make roots. and do leave at least a small piece of the original root on the plant if you can. I use plain potting mix that is mostly peat, vermiculite, perlite and add some sand to give it some weight and coarseness. set them on the soil, don't bury any of the crown and sprinkle on some water. I set them in the light shade as they are rooting, too. watch to see if they start to shrivel any, then they may need a little more moisture than what you are giving them. If the squirrels are a problem cover them with chicken wire, too.
Mart and Carolyn, thank you both of the advice. I was hoping it would be that easy. Carolyn, glad you mentioned just setting them on the soil, I would probably have been sorely tempted to stick them down in it. Squirrels haven't been much of a problem the last two years. All the feral cats that decided to use my gardens as their personal buffet have killed, and probably eaten, almost all the ones that used to hang round here The feral cats are gone now so I am hoping for a squirrel or two to return eventually. And I have plenty of chicken wire on hand if they do.
I just picked up a small container of Hens and Chicks too. They weren't on sale, but were very reasonable. Sure hope I got them transplanted in their new home okay.
