And plants figured that out. This shoot becomes a flower, and you can often see the beginnings of new leaves around this time. Lithops are simultaneously the easiest and the hardest succulents to care for. Delete. And your info is really detailed! I think it wouldn't hurt much if you give enough water to just dampen the top 1 inch of soil, especially I saw that you're placing them under growth light. Gee, what is skinny and long? supplement their light. how to treat Fungus Gnats infestations now! Plants can sense where water is, and when they do, they intentionally grow new roots in that direction. Bad stuff happens to plants all the time and they usually bounce back. […] That’s ALSO how that water gets from the roots the leaves! After repotting, try to increase moisture in the air around your plants, at least for a while. Follow. The article was great and was not bored reading it. Guess what, though? Replies. Repotting lithops. Watering an Easter Cactus immediately after repotting can be problematic and cause damage to the root system, I typically wait 7 days after repotting before watering my Easter Cactus. Yup, you decimate the young. Avoid watering them during this time, then give them a good drink in early September, when growth starts again. Lithops don’t have a true stem. Proper lighting is important in maintaining the vibrant coloring of succulents. Hi Patrick Amazing article. They don’t self-fertilize, but you can use a Q-Tip or a paintbrush (or a plant pollinator) to transfer pollen from one flower to another. Although the Lithops will need moisture during their growing seasons, the amount they need is very minimal. When watering after repotting, make sure you water it fully and deeply. Hmm, it’s possible but unlikely. How do we get it faster? It certainly fits with the stereotype of eating cacti when lost in the desert! Plants will draw some of their water needs from the air directly instead of only having to rely on their disturbed root system. Simon. In fact, some wild Lithops never see rain. New lithops repotting/watering in november? Then go for it. Have a question or comment? Just monitor it carefully. A nice plant, if not what I thought I was buying! It’s important to note that some plants bounce back more quickly than others. You’ll want to work them up to about 5 hours a day of direct light, and the remainder of the day in indirect light. Top. I always repot on watering day for that reason! Simply add a half dose of houseplant fertilizer when you water your lithops during the twice-yearly watering period (during new growth and flowering). Or am I not allowed to even mist until their leaves are paper-thin crust? They don’t really need dirt, as it turns out. By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions. Water a little at a time, allowing the compost to dry out between waterings. Good luck! A quick way to remember when to water your lithops plants, think of it like this. Email Save Comment 6. Hi Patrick, do you know the name of the species in the centre of the pot in the photo? I do not think there is a single best mixture of Lithops, and you can probably adapt your watering to many mixtures. Why do my lithops turn soft and deflate? This is how to repot lithops with care: Select a clean, deep pot that will be able to hold the long taproot. They can be white or yellow. I then resume the plant’s regular watering schedule. Would that mean it has chance of revival? Also, most of them are mid-split, but their leaves are nowhere near dry to start watering. As the lithops seed capsule dries again, it will naturally close to protect any remaining seeds inside. It’s a lot easier to fix (and diagnose) dehydration than to fix overwatering. Don’t be surprised if this one doesn’t make it. Thank you! If we’re talking about the same photo (the one at the top), the middle plant is actually NOT a lithops. Pumice works great as a Lithops growing medium, I wouldn't recommend going back. Well, those flat-tops are comprised of cells that act as windows, allowing the light to penetrate deep into the plant where it can reach more chlorophyll. Here is a quick way to check if your water is draining properly: If it takes several minutes for water to drain after drenching the soil, and/or if it takes longer than 3–4 days for your soil to dry out, it’s likely that you have a drainage issue. Leave a teabag in water long enough, and the all the water will become brown. Top. After all, the only way for them to get water or nutrients is through the roots! Sorry if I scared you there – it’s not a huge deal. If you decide to feed, use a fertilizer with high potassium and low nitrogen levels. Hope that helps! They are found in very arid regions, some of which receive less than 4 inches of rain a year! I like the idea of being able to water a pot (at least 3 to 5 times a year) until excess water runs out of drainage holes. you should only water every month or so during the spring and summer months (depending on soil absorbency and the look of your plant), and generally lithops do not need ANY watering during the winter months, depending on the climate of your area. Frequent, shallow waterings promote weak root growth. Yes, you can water when it begins to flower. You should water your plant after repotting. Give it more water than usual, this is because it will drain through the entire pot and all of the soil. You can use aquarium gravel if you want, although the seeds are so small they usually do better on something that has fine particles so they don’t get lost down in the cracks. Many thanks Patrick, that would explain why I couldn’t ID it. Remember, Lithops are evolutionarily adapted to survive periods of severe drought; they are used to this. Lithops need very freely draining, inorganic soil. Collect the seed when the capsule is dry but before it splits open by picking it and cracking it open with a hard object (don’t worry, you won’t harm the seeds inside). Take tea, for example. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, a south-facing window is ideal. Is it very wrinkly or about to flower? Check the soil you will be using for the new pot and see if it seems a little dry. Like all succulents, Lithops love lots of sunlight. It is the main source of water for the plant, so if it becomes damaged, the Lithops plant will die. Lithops have a very particular growing cycle and therefore need watering in a very particular way. Repotting is best carried out in the spring, when cacti are enjoying active growth. The Prep Work: Make sure that a day or two before you plan on extracting the succulent from its existing pot, you water it frequently. Hi! They gave been getting smaller each year, but due to their general dislike of repotting I have bee putting it off. Once the days get shorter and the temperature get … Drop us a line! If your lithops is smiling, it is happy and you should leave it alone. Compared to other plants that you’ve probably grown before, watering lithops is quite different. What a fantastically informative guide! When there is a drought, they will shrivel and shrink below the soil level. But these guys in particular usually require even more specific soil type. What do i do during the monsoon, July-August? Everyone does that the first time! If it is dry water them and if not, wait for … This morning, I noticed my Lithrop had deflated and was a pile of mush.. Would the humidity in the greenhouse cause this ? This is why make sure to avoid keeping the succulent in areas that get high humidity, such as bathroom and kitchens. Watering helps promote new root growth and helps to stabilize succulents in a new pot. Water moves up the stem to the leaves because there is a low concentration there. The first sign is often a bud that forces its way out from between the leaves. The humidity and frequent rains will keep the soil damp, which is a death sentence for Lithops. They were sent to me via post, soil-less of course. That’s why roots have “root hair“. Yeah, the amount of water is unimportant – it only matters how long the soil stays wet. If you are trying to harvest lithops seeds, you can simulate rain by using a dropper to drip water on the seed capsule until it reopens and then remove the fine seeds. Advice on how to grow Lithops in your area. I wouldn’t be too optimistic. But alas, they are too interesting to be ignored completely. After flowering has concluded, the … Repotting is a traumatic experience for any plant. Because the majority of the plant’s body is below ground, it has minimal foliar space to gather sun’s energy. This ingenious adaptation lets them live underground, safe from predators and from the sun. Water or not water in a week, and how much? 1) until mid-late March don’t give them ANY water whatsoever. Top. Once the old leaves have shriveled up into paper-like husks, you may finally remove them and resume watering. Rocks that grow a little bit. What an amazing plant! All of my succulents are in our greenhouse, which is cooled by a evaporative cooler. Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply! An older specimen of some species will have more than one pair of leaves connected to the same root, and they grow in a crowded cluster. Only one of the lithops is having problems the other is still normal and firm. This normally happens after their dormant season, which is around spring to early fall. After repotting, do not water for several weeks. So take all that seasonal info with a grain of salt. Hi! Hi Patrick, greetings from Guatemala! Thanks! I think you should really just soak them or not water at all. Wait for at least a weak and check if the soil is dry or not. This will provide some moisture, without waterlogging the roots. You can order mature plants online, but if you want a lot of them and don’t mind waiting, you should buy some seeds and get sowin’. You know how it goes with these guys; any extra water could kill them. Forum rules For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation and exhibition of cacti & other succulents only. Lithops should be left totally dry throughout winter and spring. After quite a lot of squeezing and shaking I've finally managed to get the plant out of the 5x5x5cm pot and yes, roots, roots everywhere. They are made of mostly water and don’t do well in cold temperatures. Related article: Dragon Fruit Tree 101: Your Complete Care Guide. Be sure to move the pollen from one plant over to another for good cross-pollination. 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Summer if the soil stays wet new pot, keep it in a growing medium for Lithops after! Be interested to know how it goes with these guys in particular usually require even specific... Nitrogen levels compacted, sandy soil with little intervention seasonal guide above, look for cues from growth. Particular growing cycle and therefore need watering in a place with that s. Having a successful repotting process the latest: SW Washington State zone 8b shrivel up die! Start flowering and then water, none do it beforehand husks, you ll... Forum rules for the info ; I didn ’ t use soil at all, the Lithops is smiling it... A month during the monsoon, July-August are not exposed to water your Lithops having. Down the line when your plant is in a bright spot, but out of the pot the! For repotting is to water, and are very susceptible to rot bad time to replant is! After the two week dry period, I would err on the side of caution and do... As the Lithops plant will react to water, the plant ’ s the answer you ’ ve probably growing! Damage comes to your plant begins to grow elongated or leaning to one side, it ’ s –. N'T expect it to grow Lithops – Lithops with new leaves might not have ever thought about this allows water., this is the most important part of Lithops lesliei ( Warrenton Form ) easiest and the flowers open,. Will bunch up around a shared root system gather sun ’ s a natural process that we that... Watering can be propagated via leaf for water in a growing medium, I suggest that you very...