Staff Answer
Jul 22, 2021 - 08:23 AM
The fast draining, gritty soil is a good start! My only concerns are for your soil pH and sun exposure.
Sempervivum can grow in full sun, but they need to be acclimated to it first. Give them a few hours of exposure to the direct sun, then move them into shade for the rest of the day. Repeat this process, steadily adding or removing an hour or so as needed, until the plants can take the direct sunlight all day.
Soil pH is a different matter. The soil in the crevasses where Sempervivum grow in the wild are very acidic, even down to 4.5. Even S. calcareum, despite their alkaline tolerance, was found to grow in acidic soil. The point being that a slightly acidic soil is far better than an alkaline one for any Sempervivum. However, these plants are tough and a little alkalinity certainly won't kill them. They'll just grow faster and stay healthier in a slightly acidic soil.
Sempervivum can grow in full sun, but they need to be acclimated to it first. Give them a few hours of exposure to the direct sun, then move them into shade for the rest of the day. Repeat this process, steadily adding or removing an hour or so as needed, until the plants can take the direct sunlight all day.
Soil pH is a different matter. The soil in the crevasses where Sempervivum grow in the wild are very acidic, even down to 4.5. Even S. calcareum, despite their alkaline tolerance, was found to grow in acidic soil. The point being that a slightly acidic soil is far better than an alkaline one for any Sempervivum. However, these plants are tough and a little alkalinity certainly won't kill them. They'll just grow faster and stay healthier in a slightly acidic soil.
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