Succulents bloom despite record heat
Despite the record heat wave and dreadful drought that continue to take their toll on Austin’s lush green canopy, the trio of little succulents I planted this spring are blooming their flower-like heads off. Just look at ’em go!
I thought these were sempervivums, which die after blooming. But I now see that even the pups are blooming, which makes me wonder. Surely those aren’t going to croak too? I am no expert (obviously) on succulents. So if anyone knows the answer, I’d love to hear it. Update: These are echeverias. Thanks, astute readers!
What I can tell you, if you also live in the Hot Zone and want to grow succulents like these, is to give them midday and afternoon shade. A nice stretch of morning sun is best, I’ve found, with perhaps dappled sun in the afternoon. Any more than that, and even these tough guys bake to a crisp. At least that’s what happens to mine.
Anybody else in Austin feeling rather crispy in this heat?
Today’s high set another record at 105 F (40.5 C). The weatherman predicts more of the same tomorrow, with slightly cooler temps—only 100 degees or so—over the weekend.
The succulents say, Bring it on!
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
God be with you and your garden with that weather forecast, it is too early for that mess, even in Austin.
It was 100 here today. Suppose to be hotter tomorrow. Although not as humid as there probably. Hard to keep things going at that temperature!
The succulent is an Echeveria. I have several in my garden and they grow very well. As far as I know they don’t die after blooming. Unless of course they bake to death! I hope you get a little break in your weather soon!
http://home.howstuffworks.com/echeveria.htm
Thanks for the definitive ID, Cindee! —Pam
We were in the very low 90’s here in Indianapolis, so I won’t complain, at least in the presence of Austin garden bloggers. Although, last summer, believe it or not, we only had 6 days with temps above 90, and this year, 3 already. I think our record was 58 days above 90 in 1983. But, we have gotten quite a bit of rain, and are above average for rainfall for April, May, and June, so that helps. At least the mosquitoes are happy. It is quite humid.
I don’t know much about sempervivums, but I do believe that plants under stress will do their darndest to bloom and set seed so that if they croak, the species can go on. Maybe that’s why even the little pups are blooming?
Those succulent blooms are SO pretty! Thanks for the advice–I didn’t know succulents needed that much shade to stay happy in this heat.
Yes, we are feeling it for sure. The humidity has been horrible here. The heat index was 114 yesterday. AUGH!
Pam the bloom is a lovely salmon pink color…I didn’t know that they needed to be protected from the hot afternoon sun; maybe that’s why mine croak! It’ been hot here, but not like your temps. gail
Pam, that looks like the succulent I passed to you at the Spring Gathering? If so, no it doesn’t die after blooming, and those blooms last quite a while. But why the heck is yours blooming and mine isn’t? No fair!
Hi, Robin. No, this isn’t the one you gave me. I bought this and one next to it at BSN earlier this spring. It’s a wonder anything can bloom in this heat, isn’t it? —Pam
Hi, Pam, your succulent is an echeveria, probably E. glauca. Mine love the heat – they are in bloom too, in this lovely summer here in London. It’s interesting that in really high temperatures, as you have in Texas, you find that they need some protection.
You can grow new plants from the offshoots quite easily, just like sempervivums. The only thing they don’t like is too much cold and wet – mine were badly damaged by frost this winter, but resprouted come spring.
I’ve been craving some summer heat, but that’s a tad too hot for me! Guess it’s OK if you’re a succulent.
I imagine all gardening would have to be done at the crack of dawn.
Donna
I have semps that have a bloom just like this. The main one has bloomed before and still is alive. I love those little blooms. Nice shot.
We are having near record highs for this time of year too. I hope the entire summer isn’t going ot be like this. UHG..
Love those plants.
This heat is bad enough. But, the dryness is worse. Everything around here is getting cooked to a crisp.
I’m glad to see you have some blooms surviving this heat, Pam. They’re lovely.
Sorry you are cooking down there, we’ve actually been experiencing a pretty mild June up here in Portland. I really enjoyed your headline. It reads like something you would see in the checkout stand! Mildly scandalous those gutsy succulents!
Over here in New Zealand we are struggling to acclimatise to the tentative grip of Winter. Hearing about 100 degree weather is surreal! I think they’re Echies too. I have gazillions of them and they bloom all summer and autumn. Given the opportunity, they form a lovely mat of tight little circles.
Hey Pam – good advice for the sun for these blooming succulents. I looked at mine today and the blooms are…. well, crispy. 🙁
I am not crispy at all–wilted is more like it! What beautiful little echeverias blooms. They look like delicate little tulips.
Ay carumba, that’s hot! And I just love the bloom of the echeverias!
We have had the same range of temperatures here, too, though we did get a small shower Wednesday afternoon. Maybe I do need to put in some succulents like you have shown.
Jan
Always Growing
I’m starting to learn that EVERYTHING does better with afternoon sun in Texas, even my veggie garden. That’s why I keep planting trees!
Thanks for the echeveria ID. I also have one that blooms in my succulent bed which, BTW, is doing much better with afternoon sun! It does not die after blooming…
I think you must mean afternoon shade, right, Lee? —Pam
From the forecast it looks like you’ll need to get your mittens out for the weekend–only 100? I’d be wilting, but it’s good to see the succulents are coming into their own.
That’s a scary weather forecast! Sounds like days to spend in the pool.
I know nothing about succulents, but those are beauties.
Cameron
Yikes! That’s quite the weather outlook! We feel lucky to have been having a very moderate (even unusually cool) summer so far– knock on wood.
I have those same succulents in bloom, however. Seems I always have a hard time photographing their beauty. Yours look lovely