I'm just psyched that Lewisias are becoming mainstreamed into the garden trade. The 1 gal. sized pots of L. cotyledon "Sunset Strain" I got at Home Depot had decent labeling - hey, they put in the species and variety, at least. :) None of the plants I've gotten so far have a nursery tag either. Usually the big box stores contract with growers to provide plants exclusively to them, either with no label or with the big box label. They don't want any customers to go right to the growers if they sell retail.

Some Lewisias form a multi-head rosette - neat and tidy. However, like you, I have one that looks more like an elderly Echeveria. It has a thick bare stem which has gone on to form branches with rosettes at the ends. I know it's not on its way to The Great Compost Heap. It looks too healthy. It also has put out additional roots along the length of the stem so it may just be an adaption for coping with harsh growing conditions. You might want to give yours a pot with 'sprawl room'. I guess it's like kids in a way: they start out cute, go through the gangly stage - then mature and develop character. I'm personally liking my wayward Lewisia :-).

Are your plants in pots,or are they growing in the ground?If they are in pots,it will be easier for fertilization.If in the ground,poke holes around the base of the plants,maybe with some bailing wire or something,and use a liquid fertilizer around Easter time in your area.Only feed them twice,though-Lewisias don't like overly rich soil.

Jeff, Well, crap! I was hoping you'd have some sage advice for me! I did realize today that the Lewisias of mine that were doing the best were the ones in the partial shade of a Spiraea bush, where their roots didn't get as hot as the others. So I think I will move them all into the shade of this bush and see how they do. Web searches also suggested putting rocks around them to keep the roots cool, but I can't see how that would work, wouldn't flat stones just heat up, and, if anything, stay warm longer? I can see big craggy cliffside crevices keeping roots cool, but not little stone crevices in my garden... Anyway, will let you know if they do better with cooler feet... Anyone else have similar experiences with Lewisias? Cheers, Breton