Looks like the tallest guy is about ready to split? Also the old leaf layer on one is looking wrinkly, is that okay? Is my soil good? And when to water? Should I fertilize?
by sooblimes
Looks like the tallest guy is about ready to split? Also the old leaf layer on one is looking wrinkly, is that okay? Is my soil good? And when to water? Should I fertilize?
by sooblimes
4 Comments
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pp4xVHICdRM
No water when splitting , as I’m sure you know, more inorganic and plant almost flush with soil.
Best treated as ornaments until
They wrinkle
Most people kill by over loving
Heya! There are three major factors to consider to keep your lithops healthy and happy: 1) potting mix, 2) watering, 3) light.
Potting mix may vary depending on the species, but generally should be inorganic and gritty. Organic material retains water for too long, which can easily lead to root rot in succulents. Inorganic, on the other hand, allows moisture to evaporate faster and helps the roots to breathe (they can struggle if the soil is too dense / compact). This is why it is necessary to repot the new plants from nursery soil as soon as possible (shops often keep them in organic soil). As a reference – my potting mix for cacti, lithops and other succulents consists of pumice, perlite, zeolite and gravel (80-90%), a little bit of cactus soil (10-20%) and a pinch of charcoal. Other inorganic gritty ingredients can be mixed in as well. From what it can be seen from the photo, your mix may be too organic, so I’d repot them.
Watering is where it can get a bit challenging. A general rule with succulents – it is better to underwater rather than overwater! Remember that most of the succulents do not get a lot of rainwater throughout the year (as they tend to live in dry and rather harsh conditions) so you should water your house plants accordingly. They are well-adapted to living in arid environments and have natural mechanisms to help them (such as their leaves that retain moisture), but watering them too often can easily kill them. However, when the time to water eventually comes, give them a good thorough soak! Providing your potting mix is appropriate:) Lithops should not be watered when they are splitting, as the new “inner” leaves are absorbing all the water they need from the old “outer” leaves. Yours definitely do not need any water any time soon (the old leaves are plump and still full of moisture to give to the new leaves). The old leaves will get wrinkly and will eventually dry out once they finish providing all the moisture to the new grown, this is perfectly fine. I don’t think the tallest one on the left is splitting. However, I think that a flower may be on it’s way 🙂
Light should be plentiful. Once again, think of their natural habitat. I keep my cacti and lithops under grow lights to supplement natural sunlight they get through the window. Acclimatise your new plants slowly to direct natural sunlight so that they don’t get sunburnt. A bit at a time, gradually increasing the exposure:) However, while some succulents will thrive in the sunniest spots in the house, others may prefer indirect sunlight. Read up on your plants and learn:)
Hope this helps and good luck!
Familiarize yourself with the five stages of grief 🙂