Well, howdy there! Let’s gab a bit about them hens and chicks flowers, ya know, the ones that look like a mama hen with all her little babies around her? They’re kinda cute, I gotta say. Folks call ‘em sempervivum too, but that’s just a fancy name for somethin’ simple.
First off, plantin’ these things ain’t rocket science. You just stick ‘em in the ground, or a pot if you ain’t got much space. They like sun, lots of it. If you put ‘em in the shade, they ain’t gonna be too happy, kinda like me when I can’t find my glasses. And don’t go waterin’ ‘em too much, they’re like camels, they don’t need a whole lot of drinkin’. Too much water and they’ll rot, just like them potatoes I left in the cellar last year, what a mess that was!
Now, these hens and chicks, they grow these little baby plants, the “chicks,” all around ‘em. That’s how they get their name, see? Smart, ain’t it? And them little chicks, you can just pluck ‘em off and plant ‘em somewhere else. It’s like gettin’ free plants! I tell ya, it’s better than finding a dollar in your old coat pocket, ‘cause these plants, they keep on givin’. Just make sure when you pull them little chickies off you get a bit of the root, helps ‘em grow better ya know?
- Sun’s good. Lots of it.
- Water? Not so much.
- Babies? Plant ‘em! Free plants!
The dirt, well, it don’t gotta be fancy. Any old dirt’ll do, just make sure it drains good. These plants, they don’t like sittin’ in water. Imagine you sittin’ in a puddle all day, you wouldn’t like it neither! I usually mix a bit of sand in there to help with draining, this way I do not need to worry too much.
And bugs? Well, I ain’t seen too many bugs botherin’ these plants. They’re pretty tough. But if you see somethin’ crawlin’ on ‘em, just squish it. Or spray it with some soapy water, that usually does the trick. I ain’t got time for no fancy bug sprays, soapy water works just fine.
Taking care of sempervivum, that’s what them city folks call it, ain’t hard at all. Even I can do it, and I ain’t got the greenest thumb in the world, lord knows. My roses always die on me, but these hens and chicks, they just keep on growin’. It makes me feel kinda proud, like I actually did somethin’ right for once.
If you wanna put ‘em in a container, that’s fine too. Just make sure the container has holes in the bottom so the water can drain out. And don’t crowd ‘em too much, they need a little space to breathe. You know, like folks on the bus, nobody likes it when it’s too crowded. You can mix them with other succulents too. That way they got company, and it looks pretty too.
These hens and chicks plants, they’re good for rock gardens too. They kinda look like they belong there, nestled in amongst the rocks. And they don’t need much care, which is good, ‘cause I ain’t gettin’ any younger, and bendin’ over to weed all the time ain’t easy on these old bones. They add a bit of beauty to the garden without too much fuss. And who doesn’t like a pretty garden?
So, if you’re lookin’ for a plant that’s easy to grow and don’t need a whole lot of fussin’, then these hens and chicks are the way to go. They’re tough, they’re pretty, and they give you free plants! What more could you ask for? I tell ya, they’re a whole lot easier to deal with than my grandkids, that’s for sure. They’re hardy succulents and perfect for folks who don’t have too much time for gardening.
And the best part? They come in all sorts of colors. Green, red, purple, even kinda silvery lookin’. So you can pick and choose whatever tickles your fancy. I like the red ones myself, they kinda remind me of them tomatoes I used to grow. Always puts a smile on my face.
So there you have it. Hens and chicks care ain’t complicated. Just give ‘em sun, not too much water, and a bit of space, and they’ll be happy as clams. And you’ll have a pretty garden without breakin’ your back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go check on my own hens and chicks. Them real chickens, that is. They’re probably squawkin’ for their dinner.
Honestly, anyone can grow these lovely flowers. Just remember to give them room to grow their chicks and plenty of sunshine. It’s really that simple.
Tags: [hens and chicks, sempervivum, succulents, garden, easy care, propagation, rock garden, container gardening, hardy plants, low maintenance]
