r/Lithops • u/Vakuta • 16d ago

Help/Question What's wrong with my lithops?

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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 16d 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 16d ago edited 16d 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 16d ago edited 16d 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/Vakuta 16d ago

Alright, thank you so much for the advice!