Detailed Guide to Growing and Caring for Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)

Hens and chicks is one of the most common varieties of succulents, often called the king of common varieties, also known as Sempervivum, Guanyin lotus, Buddha lotus, etc. It is a succulent of the genus Sempervivum in the Crassulaceae family, native to the mountainous regions of Spain, France, Italy and other European countries. It has great ornamental value and is now very commonly cultivated everywhere. Let us take a look at the growing methods and precautions for hens and chicks!

Propagation Methods for Hens and Chicks

1. Leaf cuttings: Lay a complete mature leaf flat on moist sandy soil, with the leaf surface facing up and the leaf back facing down. There is no need to cover it with soil. Place it in a cool place. After about 10 days, small leaf clusters and new roots will grow from the base of the leaf. Once the root system is buried in the soil, it will grow into a sturdy new plant.

2. Cuttings: Single leaves, tiller branches or top branches can be used. The length of the cutting is not limited, but the cut surface must be dried, then the lower leaves removed before inserting into a sand bed. Generally, roots form about 20 days after insertion. The cutting medium must not be too wet, otherwise the cut surface is prone to yellowing and rotting. When the roots are 2-3 cm long, pot them up.

Growing Methods for Hens and Chicks

1. Soil: The potting soil for hens and chicks should be loose and fertile, with good drainage and aeration. You can use half leaf mold or peat soil and half coarse sand or vermiculite, and mix in a small amount of bone meal and other calcium-containing materials. Use after mixing evenly.

2. Temperature: Hens and chicks prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded growing environment. The optimal growing temperature is 20-30°C, and the overwintering temperature is 15°C. In winter, when the nighttime temperature is not lower than 5°C and the daytime temperature is above 15°C, the plant can continue to grow, can be watered normally, and can be fertilized appropriately.

3. Light: The growing season of hens and chicks is in the relatively cool spring and autumn seasons, and it needs sufficient sunlight. Insufficient light will cause the plant shape to become loose and not compact, affecting its ornamental value. Plants grown in sufficient light have thick, plump leaves, a compact plant shape, and bright leaf color.

4. Watering: For watering hens and chicks, follow "do not water if not dry, water thoroughly when watering." Avoid long-term water accumulation to prevent root rot, but do not let it become too dry either. Otherwise, although the plant will not die, it will grow slowly, the leaf color will be dull, and it will lack vitality.

5. Fertilizing: Fertilize hens and chicks about once every 20 days with decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer or a compound fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium. When fertilizing, do not splash the fertilizer water onto the leaves. Generally, do it in the morning or evening on a clear day, and water thoroughly once in the evening of the same day or the morning of the next day.

6. Repotting: Repot hens and chicks once every 1 to 2 years in spring or autumn. When repotting, prune the root system, cutting off dead roots or overly long old roots. The potting soil should be loose and fertile, with good drainage and aeration.

Four-Season Management of Hens and Chicks

1. Spring: Repot hens and chicks in spring when the temperature stabilizes above 15°C. After repotting, keep the potting soil on the dry side. Once new leaves emerge, gradually increase watering until the potting soil is moist. When the outdoor temperature stabilizes above 20°C, hens and chicks can be moved to a semi-shaded balcony for cultivation.

2. Summer: Hens and chicks likes a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. Summer is its peak growing season. Keep the potting soil moist. When placed indoors, pay attention to supplementing the indoor air humidity. Fertilize sufficiently. Note that it is not suitable to place it in an air-conditioned room.

3. Autumn: In autumn, hens and chicks can gradually be moved to a place with morning and evening light for cultivation. Keep the potting soil moist, and spray water on its surroundings and leaves several times a day. Stop fertilizing. In late autumn, as the temperature drops, gradually reduce the water supply to keep the potting soil on the dry side.

4. Winter: Hens and chicks is not tolerant of low temperatures. When the winter temperature is low, the tuber goes dormant. The potted plant should be placed indoors above 10°C for overwintering. The potting soil should be kept dry but not parched. When the potting soil is relatively humid, the tuber is prone to rotting. When using air conditioning indoors, pay attention to controlling air humidity.

Precautions for Hens and Chicks

1. Hens and chicks has relatively high fertilizer requirements. During the growing season, fertilize once every 10-15 days. It is better to alternate organic fertilizer and ternary compound fertilizer. During the growing season, apply more nitrogen to promote attractive leaf color.

2. The optimal growing temperature for hens and chicks is 20°C-26°C. Below 20°C, it enters a dormant state. If the temperature is too low, it can easily cause the plant to die. In spring and summer, growth is vigorous, and high air humidity is required. If water can be sprinkled on the ground or sprayed on the leaf surface, growth will be even better.

3. Hens and chicks can overwinter naturally in tropical regions. In subtropical and temperate regions, because winter temperatures are relatively low, it should be placed in a greenhouse to keep warm for overwintering. In winter, pay attention to controlling the amount of water; it is only necessary to keep the leaves from becoming soft and drooping.

4. Repotting hens and chicks is suitable in late winter and early spring, but it is mostly done in spring. The potting soil should have good drainage and be rich in organic matter, such as leaf mold or sandy loam.

5. Hens and chicks is susceptible to aphid damage. It can be sprayed with a 1000-1500 times dilution of 40% dimethoate or 50% malathion emulsion, or with a 1500 times dilution of 80% dichlorvos emulsion.

6. Hens and chicks grows well in a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment. In summer and autumn, it should be placed in a shaded place. Plant growth has relatively high requirements for air humidity, and the suitable relative air humidity is 60-80%.

7. In winter, hens and chicks should be kept in sufficient light with good ventilation, and watering should be strictly controlled. It is better for the potting soil to be slightly dry. When cultivated indoors, prevent high temperature and stuffiness or poor ventilation to avoid pests and diseases.