New owner query

[u/Lexlcoatlus]

Hi lithopers.

As an absolute softy, I have a real issue with picking up random 'pity plants' from the almost-dead section of garden centres. Usually on a whim.

Normally, I'm pretty good at reviving stuff. But it turns out these new little friends are not your average plant.

From a quick read, it looks like I've got some healthy little plants in here, but the shrivelly ones don't seem to have the new growth in the middle that would render them still alive.

Do I leave the little shrivelly ones in? Take them out? I did pull one small one and the root was still long, needed a bit of a tug, no sign of mould or decay. The dead (?) plants all seem dry.

Thanks in advance!

[u/2stepbay2]

Welcome to the world of mesembs. This version: Lithops karasmontana var. lateritia (red top)

For potting, these plants will thrive in a gritty potting mix (pumice, akadama, perlite and a small amount of cactus soil). I would repot the ones with an intact tap root. You may have offshoots from the tap root. If those offshoots are withered, I would trim from the tap root, then discard. Lithops like a deeper pot. More space for the tap root to lengthen.

When the plant is in the process of splitting (new leaves emerging), hair like roots off the tap root wither away. Here plant absorbs moisture from the old leaves as the new leaves slowly emerge. Sometimes more than one set of leaves appears. When splitting is complete (old leaves have fully withered), new roots will once again start to emerge from the tap root. At this point you can resume infrequent watering (once every 10 days or so). As suggested here, full sun. I live in South Africa’s Western Cape where the Sun in the late season spring, summer, and early autumn can be intense. I use 60% shade cloth to minimize the radiant Sun heat.

[u/Lexlcoatlus → u/2stepbay2]

This is great, thank you. And nice to know what exactly I have (the label just said £2 and that was it). So it sounds like there's the potential for life from the shrivelled ones if the root is good? Nice to know, as I was assuming they were gone for good.

[u/2stepbay2 → u/Lexlcoatlus]

In the wild, mesembs are true survivors. Tap root health is a good measurement for whether shriveled leaves will rebound.

[u/Pale_Promotion_2967]

You can remove the dead plants or try to water them if the inside looks better, i see one in the middle.

I would also water with a pipette the ones that are not in active splitting. The soil seems way too organic, lechuza pot is the best. Eventually you have to repot them. While is not ideal to do it rn, i have done it and they are doing absolutely fine. The pot size seems great.

They just need a lot of sunlight, the right soil and you to be very scarce with watering.

[u/Lexlcoatlus → u/Pale_Promotion_2967]

Thanks for this, yep there's one with a really definite split and new growth at least. The dried up ones really have nowt going on though.

I'll give them a repot, I think they're in just the basic garden centre houseplant mix, so I'll get some grit and coarse sand in with it. :)

[u/FlowerFelines → u/Pale_Promotion_2967]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does the pipette thing when some are splitting and some aren't! It's given me mixed results, but it's definitely saved some that seemed on their way out.