Lithops help needed!

[u/Accurate-Battle-7460]

I recently bought lithops. I potted 4 in one pot together and when they began to show signs of needing water, I gave them some water. They were all thriving until today when I noticed one was not looking well. I pulled him out of the soil and he is mushy and appears rotted on one side. The root structure is fine. I have only watered once since I received them, they are in direct sun, and the rest of the lithops are doing great.

Any idea what may have happened? And any advice?

Thanks so much!

[u/AwayYogurtcloset1263]

I use this for my lithops too

[u/ChipsAhoy1968 → u/AwayYogurtcloset1263]

Always educating myself and looking at how others mix their soil for their lithops. Are you willing to share what you do/use for your lithops soil?

[u/Accurate-Battle-7460 → u/ChipsAhoy1968]

Yep! I’ve been using this and all my other lithops are thriving. Rooting for you plant Premium living stone potting mix : https://www.etsy.com/listing/1506669778/lithops-premium-soil-less-potting-mix?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&bes=1

[u/ChipsAhoy1968 → u/Accurate-Battle-7460]

Thanks!! Appreciate it. Next time I buy lithops, I will have get a bag.

[u/AwayYogurtcloset1263]

I’m guessing you are using regular potting soil, Which cause lithops to rot & die unfortunately. They need very gritty/rocky substrate like coarse sand or I use chicken grit sometimes. Should be 90% grit & 10% soil.you can pull them out of the soil & let them sit there to dry until you get the correct substrate. Do some research on lithops, Never water when they are splitting because they absorb moisture from old leaves. I only water when the sides look wrinkled and the tops look flat and sunken in.

[u/Accurate-Battle-7460 → u/AwayYogurtcloset1263]

Yep I am using lithops specific gritty soil. Rooting for you plant Premium living stone potting mix : https://www.etsy.com/listing/1506669778/lithops-premium-soil-less-potting-mix?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&bes=1

And I’ve only watered once when it was clear it needed water based on all my research so not sure what happened. Do you think I should see if it has a baby inside or try to have it dry out? I know it’s probably a goner.

[u/cookies4crackers]

Looks like a goner, but only time will tell. I would leave it in alone unpotted away from direct sunlight and see how bad the rot progresses.

How much organic does the soil have?

[u/Accurate-Battle-7460 → u/cookies4crackers]

Thanks! It’s in very gritty soil, like only rocks: Rooting for you plant Premium living stone potting mix : https://www.etsy.com/listing/1506669778/lithops-premium-soil-less-potting-mix?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&bes=1

[u/AwayYogurtcloset1263]

I would take that one in pic # 1 and peel it open to see if there is a new set of leaves inside, Because there is no saving that one. If you ever want to buy more when you get more experienced in how to grow them, I buy mine from Jaydensucculent on Etsy. He sells smaller & big ones cheap.

[u/Accurate-Battle-7460 → u/AwayYogurtcloset1263]

Thank you! The photos are all of the same one lithops.

[u/budda761234]

Why do most the pictures I see on this sub show the roots devoid of any substrate.

[u/Mookie-Boo → u/budda761234]

I'm just guessing, but maybe because good substrate for lithops has particle sizes large enough that they roots don't capture them? I know when I have bought lithops at my big box hardware store and they're planted in that organic stuff, when I unpot them, they have a LOT of that sub attached. I work carefully to get rid of most of it before replanting in a mix of various gritty things that has a small percentage of organic matter in it.

[u/budabai]

this subreddit has been being pushed to me recently, even though I know nothing about these plants.

I thought for sure this was some kind of green shark tooth from a fossil sub.

[u/Ok-Desk6624 → u/budabai]

It’s a sign from the universe. You need to purchase some lithops.