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Cacti & Succulents

New to succulents, need help with hens and chicks

14 years ago

Good afternoon, all! This year I decided that some hens and chicks with multiple colors and shapes would complement my walkway garden very well. I am not disappointed, they are exactly what I needed! Now I find myself with questions that need answering.

First, I have a couple that are growing flower stalks, and I just read that is a sign of "death." Does that mean I need to remove that plant that is flowering when it is finished? (The 'hen' I presume?)

Second, my plants came as clumps with multiple 'pieces.' I figured the chicks would appear some distance away from the main plant, from stolons, I read. Instead my plants are just bundles.

How often do I mess with them? Are they pretty self-sustaining? Would pics help?

Please feel free to tak to me about hens and chicks like I am a newb...because I am, although I am not new at all to gardening. I can only find piecemeal info on the web about caring for them, and cannot seem to put the pieces all together.

Thanks,

Greenhaven (mainly from the Rose forum)

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Comments (2)

paracelsus
14 years ago
There are at least two kinds of 'Hen and Chicks': Echeveria and Sempervivum, The former does not die after blooming. However, the main rosette will dessicate and die after blooming in the genus Sempervivum. The pups (chicks) will keep on living until they bloom in two-three years. You do not need to 'mess with them', but you can pluck out the dead rosettes from the clumps. Since Echeveria would not survive your winters, I presume you planted Semps. They like to be crowded, and you can grow them as a mat:

{{gwi:567400}}

Practice benign neglect, and they will thrive. Happy Growing!
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greenhaven
Original Author
14 years ago
"Practice benign neglect...." I like it! So, will they "spread out" on their own and fill an unrestricted space? Or do I need to separate and replant?
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