Last month I was concerned because plants were becoming scorched – that is not a problem at the moment – in fact I have been wondering if I should take indoors some of the more delicate plants that were put outside for the summer.  Aeoniums and Echevaria that have been outdoors since March are looking splendid. They are really enjoying this wet spell and have branched out and put on far more growth than they would have indoors. Even the large black Aeonium have become multiheaded.  The Echevaria have produced a succession of flowers all the summer. I will have to make sure that the leafier plants are well dried before the time comes to take them indoors again for the winter, I have neglected to do this in the past and rot has set in.

            The flowering season for the Lithops has just started.  There are just a few in flower and many more developing buds.  The plants, though indoors, have really plumped up during this damp spell.  I suspect that they can absorb some of the moisture from the atmosphere.  I have noticed before that they keep growing weeks after they have their last watering of the year.  I have been busy potting up last years seedlings and pricking out this years seedlings.  If anyone would like to increase the number of Lithops in their collection I would gladly give them some help!  It would also mean that when the time comes to take plants in for the winter I just might be able to find some space for them!!

            I have noticed seed pods on a Haworthia pumila.  I have had the plant for ten years and this is the first time it has produced seed pods so I doubt if it is self fertile.  It will be interesting to sow the seeds and see what they produce.  I have lots of seed of Lophophora williamsii.  If anyone would like to try some let me know. They grow quite easily from seed and the parent plants are particularly attractive with lots of long soft wool.

            The Testudinarias have come out of their summer dormancy and have started into growth.  I can never get used to the speed with which the new stems grow.  They put on a few inches each day and if I neglect to trim back the stems they climb up anything they can reach (shelving, other plants, the fan).   If your plants are slow to start again into growth it is worth trying a good watering.  This will usually do the trick.