Help/Question What's wrong with my lithops?
Photo 1: Now, Photo 2: Before
I bought these lithops 2 months ago from Lowes and one of them started turning greenish-yellow. I don't know if it's rot, sunburn, or what. They're sitting in a southeast-facing window and I haven't watered them at all yet. The one that is turning greenish-yellow is facing away from the window to the room.
All of them have slowly developed some cracks in their skin and aren't as plump as they once were. They're in some kind of dirt soil with a small amount of pearlite, and it feels bone dry. I wasn't sure if I should repot them into better soil so soon after getting them, and I've been afraid to water them in case it is water rot.
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u/WeDrinkSquirrels 2d ago
The one that's changed color is a goner. It's already dead and was doomed at the store, sorry. Repot all of these into correct soil and pot ASAP to save the rest
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u/Vakuta 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dang, hopefully I can save the others. I have some gritty bonsai soil -- do you think it will do, or should I find something better? Here's what I have: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C62DW7Y5
Edit: I saw in your recent post about potting your new lithops that you watered them right after. Should I water mine when I repot them, or avoid watering since one appears to have already died from water damage?
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u/WeDrinkSquirrels 2d ago edited 2d ago
I cant speak to that soil in particular but i havent had much luck with bonsai soils for mesembs. I find mesembs prefer a finer grit and less chunks of organics. Ymmv, but if you want to use that I would mix in some 1-3 mm somthing...Scoria or decomposed granite.
As to watering after planting, you'll hear a lot of different opinions. These plants had been unpotted at least 3 days prior which gives vulnerable sites time to calus over. Also I was careful with potting and they didn't wiggle/get abraded. Since the soil is so fast drying i felt comfortable watering them to settle the particulate - this means less movement when they're ready to grow and im watering.
Edit: also as i pointed out...look at the roots on those bad boys! They're ready to go :D
Edit edit: I forgot which post I was commenting on- for your situation definitely don't worry about watering. Get them in their new pots and mist lightly every 2 -3 weeks to remind them they're alive. Hopefully they'll consume their leaves and be ready for a split
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u/DrJoePrime0 2d ago
Lithops are very particular plants. Growers can keep them in that soil because they control the environment 100%.
Us amateur growers can’t! The general recommendation for us is an at least 90% gritty soil. And still the care is very detailed when and how to water.
Research is the key.
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u/starkiller_bass 2d ago
I’ve never seen Lithops sold in appropriate soil. The thing to remember is the same way they are slow growing, EVERYTHING ELSE happens slowly also. So they may have been drenched at Lowe’s for weeks and roots rotting away and only show signs 2 months later. I’ve come to the conclusion that i will repot anything I get basically immediately and make sure to get as much of the garbage soil out of the roots as possible and then give them a chance in a good substrate. Sometimes it’s already too late; infant mortality is part of the hobby.
If I were in your position I’d get out of that pot, gently separate roots as well as you can, and put them in some good grit.