Greetings - and more Orostachys Solved

[dave sheppard]

Greetings to all fellow cactophiles and succulentophiles from a newly enrolled forum member!

My name is David Sheppard and I am an active member of Edenbridge (Kent) Branch although I live just across the border in Hurst Green in Surrey. My collection is (mostly) housed in two 'Access' lean-to greenhouses on a south-facing wall. These are just 2' 6" deep with full length sliding glass doors/windows. You do not step inside this type of greenhouse but handle the plants from outside. The form of the greenhouse means I tend to specialise in the smaller growing genera such as Ariocarpus and Turbinicarpus and the smaller Mam's etc.

Meanwhile, outside I have an ever increasing collection of Sempervivums with a few Jovibarbas, Rosularias and Orostachys. The last two species are a little more difficult to find but can be equally rewarding.

The recently posted photos of Orostachys fimbriatus caught my eye and I can answer that, yes, someone else does grow this plant. My specimen recently won first prize for 'plant in flower' at Bromley branch meeting. John Hughes commented that it was a rather nice form with it's pink flush. I shall try and post a photo shortly. Thankfully, not every head has flowered so I have a few to propagate for next year. I also have Orostachys japonicus in flower which is of similar form but with dark green leaves.

[dave sheppard]

This is my Orostachys japonicus in full flower. This came originally from Doug Sizmur at Kent Cacti and flowers regularly with a few non-flowering heads for the following year. I tried harvesting some seeds from this one but got zero germination. My Orostachys iwarenge (also from Kent Cacti), however, which is normally single-headed and therefore guaranteed to commit suicide when it flowers, has produced a vast number of seedlings from harvested seed! Hopefully enough will get through the winter to allow me to continue to enjoy it.

[Roy]

Welcome to the forum Dave. I note with interest your fimbriatus seems to have a coating on the leaves like mine. I obtained mine (only two and different) from Ray Stevenson of Newcastle branch.

[Maria J]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the forum!
Nice photos; look forward to seeing more of your collection.

[Geoff Lovell]

Welcome to the forum Dave.
I had a very enjoyable day at your show earlier in the year, a very sunny sunday.

[Rob]

Hi Dave

Nice to see you on here.

I have O.japonicus from Doug, but no flowers this year.
Beware! The O.fimbriatus I flowered earlier in the year had only one flower spike but ALL the rosettes died! (The odd Semp has done this to me too!) I had already removed some fortunately. The plant came from John H. I also got the O.boehmeri (spelling!) hybrid from him. See pic.
I have half a dozen or so now.

Maybe if we keep posting these we can make them more popular.
John will be proud.

Say Hi to all at the branches you visit from Me and Alison!