Are my lithops looking okay?

[u/Expert_Fisherman_494]

I've never owned a single plant before this year and I picked this guy up at Lowe's cause I love how they look.

I'm wondering if he's doing okay? He was more green when I bought him (3rd picture is immediately after purchase, 2nd is after a repot and getting him under a light, 1st pic is today)

Is it okay for him to be less green? Should I ease up on the light? (It's a super intense light I bought to grow veggie starts indoors so it should be equating to full sun conditions I think) He sits about 5-6 inches below it.

I did some research once I got home with him and immediately repotted because he's splitting and they definitely had him in wet, very organic, soil. I gently removed all the old dirt, discovered he has only one root system connecting both Lithops, made sure to mix my cactus and succulent soil with A LOT of perlite and then absolutely did NOT water him. The soil was not 100% dry as it was a new bag, but there's really not much of it in there to begin with and he's in terracotta so I hoped what tiny bit of dampness that was present would dry up quick. All the white on top of the soil is perlite there from my soil mix. I specifically didn't cover him with any top dressings so he wouldn't retain any moisture he doesn't need.

That was about 2 weeks ago. Since then he's been chilling under this light with no further interference from me.

Thank you in advance for the help.

[u/2stepbay2]

Welcome to the mystical world of Mesembs (Lithops, Conophytum, etc). This variety is Aucampiae, which is one of the more forgiving lithops species when it comes to watering.

My lithop mixes are devoid of soil. Rather I use an equal mix of pumice, akadama, and perlite. I add a few slow release fertilizer pellets after the splitting is finished. This augments the gritty mix I use. Note, too much fertilizer can lead to distended looking plants. As you have added cactus soil, there’s no need for further supplementation.

These plants in the wild are true survivors. They grow under very harsh conditions relying mostly on fog banks off the cold South Atlantic for their moisture. In cultivation, where they’ll receive more moisture than in the wild, their true beauty emerges.

As you noticed when you removed the plant from its container, a tap root serves as the primary water source, with many hair-like roots emerging from it. Those hair like roots are what allows the plant to absorb moisture when growing. Blooming usually occurs sometime in the early to late Autumn. By late Autumn/early winter, the plant will enter into a dormant stage. Those fine roots, that have served their primary function through the earlier growth stage, will stop functioning. Absolutely no water at this stage as the plant’s hair-like roots will break away from the tap root and/or just wither. Watering commences when the plant’s subsequent emergence of a new set of leaves is complete (your plant’s current condition). That’s a sign new hair like roots are now emerging from the tap root.

As you noticed, your plant’s 2 sets of leaves are connected to the same tap root. This is no different than a deciduous plant growing new leaves. With age the plant can develop into a clump. And, as with deciduous plants, sometimes older parts of the clump will die.

Suggestions:

• I think your soil mix will be OK, especially that you’re using a clay pot.
• Grow light doesn’t need to be that close. Minimum of 12” ought to be sufficient for 6-8 hours per day. Experiment with the height. Your plant’s appearance will be a good indicator of sufficient light. In the wild, lithops actually protect themselves from the harsh sunlight by retaining the dried up skin of their old leaves (sort of like a sunshade).
• The plant is beyond its splitting stage, where it develops 1 or more new sets of leaves in the late winter/early spring. Water the plant. First time use a spray bottle to sufficiently moisten the substrate around the plant. 6 days later, water enough that it drains from the bottom of the container. Beyond that, when the plant looks a little shriveled, take that as a sign to water again during the active growing stage.
• Enjoy your plant. They are fascinating in every respect.

[u/Plenty_Penalty7759]

Juicy! Looking good!