My First Lithops

Use this forum to discuss matters relating to Delosperma, Faucaria, Lapidaria, Lithops, Oscularia, Pleiospilos and related species. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.
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Gee.S
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My First Lithops

#1

Post by Gee.S »

Could use some basic care tips...

Water in summer, dry in winter?
Can I leave outside in winter?
Sun/shade?

If I can keep it alive for a year, I'll consider this a success, but right now I'm concerned about the first week.
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
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mcvansoest
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Re: My First Lithops

#2

Post by mcvansoest »

I water it with my other plants - about once a week in summer and once a month in winter.

Fast draining soil - I keep mine mostly in the shade - some morning sun - more bright light in winter.
I have always kept mine outside in winter, but they live on my patio so have that as cover.

I have had good success with some while others have been gone in under a month or two. I also have had a several attacked by different critter - last year something dug several of them up, but did not eat them... but damaged them enough to kill them. This year some have been pecked at by a bird or birds as far as I can determine...

I like them a lot, if I had more time I probably try and grow many more of them, but for now I just pick them up if I see them for sale at the BB stores.

I have found some scanned older literature on a French cactus and succulent website, here is a link to the PDFs in my Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/55mlr5330ma5 ... jkLua?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It is what it is!
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Gee.S
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Re: My First Lithops

#3

Post by Gee.S »

Thank you good sir, very helpful. There is a cactus nursery in Clarkdale that has quite a few varieties, all at about $4 each. Absolutely shocking what this little cactus nursery stocks. Well worth a stop next time you're anywhere near the area.
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
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Gee.S
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Re: My First Lithops

#4

Post by Gee.S »

Here is a photo, I believe the blemish is a result of my mishandling, along with a few other goodies I just picked up.
Clarkdale 001.JPG
Clarkdale 001.JPG (102.46 KiB) Viewed 3430 times
Obregonia denegrii aka Agave Cactus
Obregonia denegrii aka Agave Cactus
Clarkdale 005.JPG (110.13 KiB) Viewed 3430 times
Mammillaria marksiana
Mammillaria marksiana
Clarkdale 007.JPG (140.17 KiB) Viewed 3430 times
Looks like Mammillaria plumosa, but I wonder if  head is too large (a little larger than a tennis ball)
Looks like Mammillaria plumosa, but I wonder if head is too large (a little larger than a tennis ball)
Clarkdale 009.JPG (83.6 KiB) Viewed 3430 times
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
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mcvansoest
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Re: My First Lithops

#5

Post by mcvansoest »

Nice!

That Plumosa is pretty big, but I have some heads in my clump that are pretty close to a tennis ball in size. Surprised it is that big without being a bigger clump, maybe it was split not that long ago.
It is what it is!
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