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What has happend to my Hylotelephium? Has gone 'splat'

Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
edited November 2023 in Problem solving
I noticed my Hylotelephium are all flattened out, with all the stalks flattening down to the ground from the centre, in a circular shape. Some aren't too bad, but one of them the stalks seem to have broken out of the centre part completely.
They have never done this before.
I'm wondering what has happened, and are they still OK? What should I do with them now?
Many thanks!


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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're finished, and are just floppy because of that - the stems become quite soft and don't stand up to the weight of the top growth, especially if it's been wet. They usually look like that here at this time of year. 
    They often benefit from some support which you can put in earlier in the season, if they don't have shrubs or sturdier plants around them. In richer soil they also get bigger more quickly which can also make them a bit floppy, and if they're needing a bit more like, they'll lean as well. 
    Some people cut them back in early summer [known as the Chelsea Chop] which helps prevent that, but it only works if the plants are big enough at that stage.
    I can see the new buds at the base/crown, so you can remove the top growth if you want.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited November 2023
    Sedums can flop if they are ground is too rich. Lavender and sedum like poor soil and full sun. Makes sure the lavender isn't shading the sedum.  And don't feed or manure the plants. You can divide the plants if there is a ring forming in the middle. I have found that a Chelsea chop for sedum, in around May does wonders in making them more robust.


    As we are coming to the end of the season in the UK, I would trim the stems back. New shoots will resprout when they're ready. Using the trimmings to create new plants if you want more.
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    edited November 2023
    Thank you both very much!
    I'm glad nothing is wrong them.
    Should I cut off all the stems at ground level now then, including those ones with the green leaves in the second photo?
    And where the centre part (the crown?) is all broken, can I just gently push it together again if I want, or should I divide it?  I don't have anywhere else to put more of them.
    I don't think they were screened too much by other plants but I will be aware of that now. They haven't been fertilised at all, and it's a very hot sunny area. I will make sure not to fertilise that area in the future, that's very good to know.
    I might try a chelsea chop next year if I am feeling brave, or give them a support.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Fairygirl said:
    I can see the new buds at the base/crown, so you can remove the top growth if you want.  :)
    Make sure not to damage or disturb those resting buds too much as they will be next year's stems. If you pull the dead stems it can rip the new buds away from the root. If this happens though they usually pot up fine to make more plants.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Good to know wild edges! I thought I would maybe cut the stems off, leaving about an inch, using secateurs.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - it's one of the easiest plants to propagate @wild edges. I had one which I brought here, and now have about 6 or 7 around the site, just by pulling pieces away and growing them on.
    You can cut the spent stems off fairly low down @Pink678 so that the main plant doesn't get pulled out, and you can leave the green ones if you like - it's just personal preference. I usually leave them and they just pull off later on, but it depends on how you feel about the look. I would maybe stick a few twigs around the greener one- just to give you the main plant for a little longer, and then cut back when they look like the other one. 
    The chop method might be worth trying, and you can do it in a staggered effect - it's not necessary to cut the whole plant back. I've never done it because they simply aren't big enough at the beginning of June, but if yours are a decent size, that might help with their look later on.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Great I will do that, thanks so much @Fairygirl. I think I'll cut the ones that look dead, but the ones with red colour and green leaves I'll keep a bit longer, and maybe tie them up on a bamboo.
    I see, so if I decide I wanted to propagate to give to a friend, then I just take a piece with one of those mini green buds, and plant in a pot. It sounds very easy. I notice how easily those pieces seem to break off.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - very easy. Even small pieces will take. Just put in a suitably sized pot and make sure they don't get waterlogged over winter. They grow away quit quickly.
    You can divide in the usual way too. That's ideal with a bigger plant.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Thank you Fairygirl! :)
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Fairygirl said:
    Yes - it's one of the easiest plants to propagate @wild edges. I had one which I brought here, and now have about 6 or 7 around the site, just by pulling pieces away and growing them on.
    I'm always amazed that they manage to get sold when people can get them so easily for free. I splashed out on a Mojave Jewels Sapphire this year though and it's a real stunner, way better in person than in photos as it's got a sheen to the leaves that doesn't photograph well. The first thing I did was take a few pots of cuttings to give away to people. 
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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