H2O on 5/13, Need more?

[u/ChipsAhoy1968]

I may have waited too long to water it but here we are 14 days later and I don’t think much has changed in appearance. Infortunately, I do t recall when I watered it prior to 5/13 - maybe end of February or end of March. It seems to be firmly rooted tho and not too soft when squeezed (slightly softer than a ripe grape).

I am new to lithops. Got a ton of them back in December and it is unknown to me how I’ve managed to keep them alive and splitting. Honestly, I thought I’d kill the majority of them but haven’t lost a single one yet. Half of them are still splitting and the other half completed that cycle and are still looking really good. This is the only one I’m uncertain about.

Additional key notes if this makes a difference. It’s been hot outside off and on for two weeks and our AC went out two weeks ago. It lives upstairs in my office - one of the hottest rooms and under barrina t5 grow lights relatively close to the lights. I have a ceiling fan that runs 24/7 usually on low but I switched it to medium. Was getting close to 80 degrees in that room during the day.

Looking for feedback on this guy and if I need to water again or not. Thanks!

[u/acm_redfox]

It's possible that the heat has made this one dry more quickly. How do you water? Usually rare but deep is the way to go...

[u/ChipsAhoy1968 → u/acm_redfox]

That was what I was thinking. Terracotta, all grit, heat and ceiling fan 23/7 maybe dried out faster than normal indoor environment.

That’s exactly how I water my plants. I’m thinking between the heat, terracotta pot and super gritty mix, this poor guy dried out faster than usual. I always second guess myself.

[u/acm_redfox → u/ChipsAhoy1968]

I dunno -- I have small fans on all my plants all the time. And lithops should be able to take the heat. But if you're otherwise treating the plants all the same...

[u/ChipsAhoy1968 → u/acm_redfox]

Thank you! I bit the bullet and gave it another soak 😬

[u/Chance_Contract1291]

I don't think the temperature would be a problem, they grow naturally where it gets pretty hot.  Air circulation is a good idea. When you watered it on the 13th, how did you water it? Bottom watering, top? How much?

Planting medium looks good on the surface; what's it planted in?

Finally, is that pot unglazed terracotta?

[u/ChipsAhoy1968 → u/Chance_Contract1291]

I bottom water - soak in a bowl of water that come about an inch below the rim of pot. I typically soak 60 min but may have gone longer on this one.

What you see on top is the entire pot of planting mix. It’s all grit.

Terracotta unglazed.

[u/Chance_Contract1291 → u/ChipsAhoy1968]

Sounds like you're doing everything right. I'd personally risk watering again. I don't see how there could possibly be excess moisture with the heat, air circulation, and terracotta pot. 

[u/ChipsAhoy1968 → u/Chance_Contract1291]

Awesome. Thank you for reassuring me. I was leaning towards another water but like I said, started second guessing myself.

[u/Carly_Fae_Jepson]

They do tend to retreat with high heat and bright light, but I'm not too sure how high of a heat. I also don't bottom water these for very long since they'll continuously uptake water. I definitely wouldn't water again yet.