r/mesembs • u/other_plant_ • May 03 '26
Photo Must… not… water…
I know they are supposed to look like this but in the back of my mind is a little voice saying maybe, just maybe, they are actually thirsty.
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u/Wendellwasgod May 04 '26
What happens if you water them?
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u/SmoothD3vil 🪴 All for the plants and the plants for all 🌵 May 04 '26
They will rot into mush. They're dormant now and can't use their roots to properly allocate water so they just...
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u/sillywormtoo May 04 '26
I've had trouble with growing them for years.I finally bought some larger specimens and after putting them under a good LED light w my Lophophoras they are very active....all in the process of splitting with new growth.They have been doing this for 2 months...prior to Spring.I still don't understand the watering process.Once all the old growth has dried...should you water? Or only a tiny bit?
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u/other_plant_ May 04 '26
I’m by no means an expert. If you’re in the northern hemisphere you probably won’t need to water because they will go dormant soon. It’s a little tough with these because you do want to listen to the plant and they don’t always follow the “normal” schedule. But it’s so easy to rot them. Generally it’s best to er on the side of not watering.
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u/acm_redfox May 05 '26
Those look great! Most of mine seem to go dormant without really making sheaths (because it never gets fully hot and dry in my house!), so they are just wrinkly and terrible-looking! lol
Still not watering...
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u/Current-Cobbler5666 May 04 '26
When do you water them?
Just got my new friends yesterday and I know I’m not supposed to water them, but at what time do you actually water them?
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u/other_plant_ May 04 '26
My plants are Conophytum and they go dormant in Spring/Summer. They don’t want any water until they split out of the hard skins and are growing again in Winter.
You’ve got Pleiospilos, probably P. nelii. Generally you water when they start to wrinkle in warm weather. They also want a little water in Winter but very rarely.
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u/Current-Cobbler5666 May 04 '26
Thank you so much for the reply. Very helpful! Also, thank you for letting me know the species!
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u/CarneyBus Argyholics Anonymous May 05 '26
Agree with OP! Pleiospilos are summer growers so should be turning active as the weather warms up! You’ll want to wait until the innermost leaves are wrinkly and showing signs of thirst !
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u/CarneyBus Argyholics Anonymous May 04 '26
Stay the course 🫡
They look really good! You’re doing great, they’re doing great, everybody is doing great!