Our planting guide and insect control.

                                        Updated 01/03/10
Sempervivum can take the hard rains we get here on the east coast but they require
very good drainage so they will dry back out quickly. I recommend a cactus potting
soil or if this is too expensive, you may make your own with any soil or soiless
mixture, compost and 50% course sand, or grit. Course sand or grit may be
purchased for a nominal fee at any builders supply or if not available there, at a
concrete block manufacturing plant. Pure milled peat and the course sand mixture is
cheap and will do just fine for potting soil. They will even grow well in pure gravel. If
planting outside, even old hard clay will be just fine if mounded so it will have good
drainage. I do not recommend use of bark or wood chips because they can rot the
plants.

The only insect problems that I have experienced is an occassional grasshopper or
mealy bugs. An over the counter insecticide specifically for mealy bugs will do just
fine to control them if you ever have a problem. You can use rubbing alcohol full
strength at first site of mealy bugs if you only have a few plants. Just use any small
hand spray bottle to apply it. This seems to control them, does not harm the plants
plus it is non-carcinogenic. A mealy bug is a very small whitish wax covered insect
that looks like the flecks of perelite in potting soil (click on the link below for
picture). If it will squash leaving a juicy residue, its a mealy bug. Treat a two or three
times with appropriate insecticide to be sure you've killed them all. You may also use
a granular systemic (such as Bonide Systemic) in your soil which is good for at least 3
month control.

Here is a link that gives very good information on mealy bug control. Just click on it
to go there.
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_M/dictionary_mealy_bugs.
htm

Hens and chicks can survive sometimes for up to 3 months without watering and
without showing visible damage. So, simply dampen soil mixture and use the label to
press the plant roots into the soil. Baby plants should be removed from the mother
plant and simply placed butt first down on damp soil. They will be rooted within three
weeks. There you have it, very simple, contact me if for any reason you need
additional help.

The hyperlink to the USDA Hardiness zones may help you understand the
temperature zone that you live in. They will grow in all areas of the United States.
Within the US, Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico or other extremely hot
and dry areas will require some watering.

For green roof plantings recommend a 90% compost, or soiless mixture with 10%
gravel topping. You will never need to water if you are in a normal rainfall area such
as Central U.S. and East Coast. If you get heavy rainfall, recommend planting in pure
clay soil or through a nylon screen to prevent washing the soil out.

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Our Planting Guide and insect control.