Coralred, You will also see such differences in plant when they are planted in different areas... shade, pH, water, etc. I have purposely divided and planted different groups around my gardens and really seen the difference. For eaxmple, Neptune and Larissa. In some areas, Neptune is fuzzy grey, some areas more of a stone color, with more sun there was some light violet, and in one area there was a lot of violet, but smaller size. Larissa would be orange on the side of the house, bright green in the shade, and a darker green with light areas and hints of orange in the full dry sun. They really are amazing plants.... Some I recommend: Neptune, Larissa, Director Jacobs, Rubra Ash (huge), Gigantium, Bronce, Gay Jestor, Pacific Charm, .... There are so many more I could name Chris

Insects will do the work (if outside). I let the flowerstalk almost completely die and than cut it out. Place it up side down on a plate and the seeds will fall out. Dry it for a few weeks and plant them somewhere late fall or even in winter in a closed plastic bag. They are (here) not very fast, sometimes - if extra slow- I leave it there for almost a year; but most of it comes earlier. You can get new plants out and close the plantbox after a spray again. There will probably come more young plants. Only one problem: is this the only flowerstalk you have? In that case I don't know if you will have fertile seeds, because I don't know if they are selffertile?? In my garden there are many floweringstalk; so there is always another plant to ...eh...what is the word in english.... good luck. harry

I notice in the winter that the meallies live in the soil/mix. I know this because I can be stupid sometimes and will repot during the winter. So I will see them resting, they’re not really moving, but just waiting beneath the soil till it warms up. I don’t see this when I repot during the warmer months. It would make since that your ground or pots get too cold for them. I read somewhere during winter they’re less active by like 70%. I’m probably off on the percentage because it’s been awhile since I read this, and can’t find the study. I do remember the inactivity is high. That’s definitely a pro for you guys in a cooler climate, frozen meallies;). I love Semps, but mealybugs can destroy them. I never notice till it’s too late. Semps have a hard time bouncing back from mealybug damage too, unlike Echeveria. This is my experience:).

Put them in the ground (or containers if you prefer), but they should be fine in the ground as long as they drain. I hear you about the constant rainfall and humidity of the last year or so, but as long as your soil drains, should be good. Raised beds are also a big advantage in growing arid loving plants in wet zones. And remember, conditions change, eventually, in drought, they will get the advantage.