And she didn't mention Ms. Multiceps in the foreground of the last pic - wow, Colleen, that's some plants. We likea the dyckia, but I've been on a Gasteria binge lately - I'm thinking it's like 'The Long Weekend' but for the last two quarters. You believe rightly on the Kalanchoe. Such nice plants - it's supposed to get to the low 70s here today but I'm still wearing my catfur-lined pantaloons.

I made an effort to stick Ms. Multiceps in there. :) I am anxious for her to grow.

I've had definite Gasteria cravings. I keep going in the hopes of a big, beautiful fan-shaped Gasteria brachyphylla, and still nothing there, but I came home with a couple nice little ones.

I wear actual cat pants--both cat bodies are attached to them currently.

Colleen,

I've forgotten your position on why you don't top-dress your potted plants (asked by a TDZ*)?

And I've got a couple of Gasterias which, after 4 years of growing here, have finally decided to pup. I'll have to see which of the litter is top dog for you. Those little greenish dots there are pups on one of the smallest G. I have, and the other is what you've already seen and approved of.

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I gave this pup away last weekend after my presentation at the college to the head of the greenhouse there, so it's an investment in the future - you can have the next one if you like. I like, and Caramella liked it so much she needed to take a breather and see if the shoe fit.

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Oh, no position, really; top-dressing is just another expense right now (and I'd rather get a plant with that cash), and it's something I'd probably have to order online, knowing how things go. It's also nice not to have it sitting atop the soil during a quick change of pots, if I'd like to easily separate it from the soil and not have it all come out of the pot and end up in a big combined mound.

Your variegated G. is in quite the cool pot. It's a nice, subtle variegation. I would almost pick an obscure texture over it, though...hard to choose! I certainly don't dislike when G.s grow up and twist and develop leaves going the other direction, but gotta say, too, I almost wish they'd all stick to the fan shape.

Pup given away was certainly pretty! Cute, plump leaves. And if Caramella didn't later kick those shoes on the floor, good for her; ours here would most definitely.

And I should know what the first G. with tiny pups is... story of my life; I should know, I should know, I should know. A long four years!

Ah, more good news, Jeff, that you'd appreciate.

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and random little crester, to my surprise! (Don't have an ID, but other leaves have begun to produce plants in normal form.)

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Fabulous plants, Colleen! You, too, Jeff! That D. of mine DID have some sharp pokeys! I hope it's nice for you & makes some roots soon!

Colleen,
Hope you're having a

I think the shoe fits, Jeff!! Hee hee!

That is one spazzy birthday cake, Rosemarie! haha. I did have a nice birthday! Big 25!...man, it scares me, lol. I spotted some stupid aphids on a couple Semps, but at least I did not run into mealies on this nice day. (82 degrees--yuck! But at least breezy.) With Dad's health problems I take all the pest-less plant happiness I can get. :)

Ah, another Gasteria day I didn't see coming!

Gasteria croucheri (I like the pink tips.)

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I'd probably need ya for this one, Rosemarie!

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Really dig Crassula streyi. I hope to come upon its perfect shade-light balance.

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And my nice Mom got me the following, labeled E. 'Lace,' for me birthday. Sweet. I think it's half a gift for her too.

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What is the name of the succulent plant that you have in the very first photo at the top? The one on the left, aloe like, with the small white spots? I have this plant but I have no idea what its called. Its also in photo #8, next to your kalanchoe. I love kalanchoes.

The Aloe in with the Kalanchoe I have thought may be a low form of Aloe sladeniana, but it did not come with a label and I've never had that uneducated hunch verified. Last I checked, I think it's a toothless plant.

I probably have a closer-up shot saved somewhere here.

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Its bloom:

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Collen,

Puppiferous leaves of both OWC and NWC - up with proliferation in the dirt, sez me. There's something I find deeply satisfying to see, with just a mere piece of a plant becoming, almost overnight, and overgrown mm x mm-sized patch of Crassulaic abundance...or something like that.

And a belated Happy Birthday from another April birther.

FWIW, and mind you, I've been away from the succulent thick-of-things for a while now, but that suspected Aloe sladeniana (which I have understood to be a very difficult plant, for an Aloe, to grow...and of course, not that you can't grow difficult plants) looks like an Aloe/Gasteria mix, with the Aloe predominating, as you see in the flowers (but the shape of the leaves is gasterish).

No, no, I see what you mean, and I'd be inclined to agree about the Gasteraishness. I figure it's going to be added to the list of permanent "I don't know precisely" plants.

Oh, didn't quite realize I missed your birthday!