Up for sale is one pack of 50 Mountain Hens and Chicks Succulent Sempervivum (Sempervivum Montanum) seeds. Sometimes also called House Leeks these succulents are a hybrid type that create a mostly green succulents that range from 2 to 4 inches in height. When these flower the send up a very unique red stem that has a single red flower on top.
PLEASE NOTE: These Mountain Hens and Chicks succulents seeds are the smallest seeds we sell and you will receive approximately 50 seeds. Succulents require some extra steps for successful germination so please read the instructions below before purchasing.
We offer flat rate combined shipping on all orders, no limit on the amount or type of seed packets.
CULTURE
Soil temperature: 65 - 70 degrees fahrenheit
Germination lighting: Light required
Germination days: 21 days
Plant spread:4"-6"
Plant height: 2-4''
Plant type: Perennial
Maturation days: 365 days
A quick note about succulents. The names you see with Sempervivum Succulents are associated with the mix of colors they contain. Plain Sempervivum Succulents, also sometimes called "Hens and Chicks" Succulents, are mostly green. These "Mountain Hens and Chicks" succulents mix are similar in appearance to "Hens Chicks" succulents with the main difference that the "Mountain Hens and Chicks" send up a tall red stalk with a single flower on top.
Succulents will grow outdoors in zones 3-10 but they dislike soggy soil conditions. It's best to start them in pots in a soil mixture of half coarse sand or vermiculite and half peat. For succulents we like to use a Tupperware type container with holes in the bottom and a translucent lid the help maintain moisture. You can also use 4" landscape pots that have holes in the bottom. These seeds are some of the tiniest seed we sell and are difficult to work with. Best way to handle them is to mix the packet with 1/4 cup of dry sand and use a shaker (like a spice bottle) to sow them. In the case of pots give each pot a quick shake, or if using 1020 trays you can apply the contents of one packet in the whole tray (using the shaker method). They require light to germinate so do not cover them and if you decide to direct sow them and not use the shaker method lightly dust with sand or vermiculite.
While germinating they do like their soil moist, but not soaking wet. We keep our Tupperware pot or landscape pot (with holes in the bottom) in a larger tray that always has about 1" of water in it. If you let your potting mixture dry out while succulents are germinating it means certain failure. We also loosely cover the pot with a translucent lid or plastic wrap to ensure the seeds don't dry out. Place your container under an artificial light source and keep it from getting too hot. We use flourescent shop lights, but you can also use LED grow lights. Don't use incandescent light bulbs, or place in direct sunlight, or you will generate too much heat.
These are slow to germinate, and once germinated grow slowly, so patience is required if you want to grow these. Do not expect them to germinate and create full size succulents in a few days.
Once they germinate, and are about 1/4" tall, you can remove the plastic wrap. You can also then add 1/4 strength liquid fertilizer like Miracle Grow to their water in the bottom tray (water from the bottom). When they are about 1/2" tall, and in the spring after your last frost, you can transplant them into your garden or into individual pots as they make great potted plants. If happy they will spread and create a unique dense ground cover in the garden.
PLEASE NOTE: These Mountain Hens and Chicks succulents seeds are the smallest seeds we sell and you will receive approximately 50 seeds. Succulents require some extra steps for successful germination so please read the instructions below before purchasing.
We offer flat rate combined shipping on all orders, no limit on the amount or type of seed packets.
CULTURE
Soil temperature: 65 - 70 degrees fahrenheit
Germination lighting: Light required
Germination days: 21 days
Plant spread:4"-6"
Plant height: 2-4''
Plant type: Perennial
Maturation days: 365 days
A quick note about succulents. The names you see with Sempervivum Succulents are associated with the mix of colors they contain. Plain Sempervivum Succulents, also sometimes called "Hens and Chicks" Succulents, are mostly green. These "Mountain Hens and Chicks" succulents mix are similar in appearance to "Hens Chicks" succulents with the main difference that the "Mountain Hens and Chicks" send up a tall red stalk with a single flower on top.
Succulents will grow outdoors in zones 3-10 but they dislike soggy soil conditions. It's best to start them in pots in a soil mixture of half coarse sand or vermiculite and half peat. For succulents we like to use a Tupperware type container with holes in the bottom and a translucent lid the help maintain moisture. You can also use 4" landscape pots that have holes in the bottom. These seeds are some of the tiniest seed we sell and are difficult to work with. Best way to handle them is to mix the packet with 1/4 cup of dry sand and use a shaker (like a spice bottle) to sow them. In the case of pots give each pot a quick shake, or if using 1020 trays you can apply the contents of one packet in the whole tray (using the shaker method). They require light to germinate so do not cover them and if you decide to direct sow them and not use the shaker method lightly dust with sand or vermiculite.
While germinating they do like their soil moist, but not soaking wet. We keep our Tupperware pot or landscape pot (with holes in the bottom) in a larger tray that always has about 1" of water in it. If you let your potting mixture dry out while succulents are germinating it means certain failure. We also loosely cover the pot with a translucent lid or plastic wrap to ensure the seeds don't dry out. Place your container under an artificial light source and keep it from getting too hot. We use flourescent shop lights, but you can also use LED grow lights. Don't use incandescent light bulbs, or place in direct sunlight, or you will generate too much heat.
These are slow to germinate, and once germinated grow slowly, so patience is required if you want to grow these. Do not expect them to germinate and create full size succulents in a few days.
Once they germinate, and are about 1/4" tall, you can remove the plastic wrap. You can also then add 1/4 strength liquid fertilizer like Miracle Grow to their water in the bottom tray (water from the bottom). When they are about 1/2" tall, and in the spring after your last frost, you can transplant them into your garden or into individual pots as they make great potted plants. If happy they will spread and create a unique dense ground cover in the garden.