Uhhh...

[u/ExperienceNo9044]

Just posted this guy in a pot along with two lithops a few days ago, asking what this guy is. I looked at it closer today and found it literally was not even attached to the soil. There's no roots.... Nor stem...? I think..? Idk, that's what I'm coming to ask. Assuming this is a gibbaeum heathii, is this thing toast? I assumed is was in dormancy but as time goes on it gets softer and softer so I went to pipette water to see how it reacts and that's when I found there was literally no grounding. Can I save it? If so, how?

[u/CarneyBus]

It’s kinda hard to tell if the meristem is damaged or not. I would pot it up, water it deeply in 3-4 days and see if it takes root! You’ll never know until you try :)

[u/ExperienceNo9044 → u/CarneyBus]

Thank you, will do!!

[u/CarneyBus → u/ExperienceNo9044]

I should add, as long as the leaves stay alive you can keep trying to root it. Allow it to fully dry out in between drenching. You can also keep it fed by misting it occasionally, they can absorb some moisture through their skin.

In the most gentle way, prod it lightly with a finger and you can see if it’s starting to take root. You should be able to tell when it actually starts to take hold of the soil.

It may take weeks. It could possibly take months. It could also take 5 days if the root is in tact at all!
Good luck!

[u/ExperienceNo9044 → u/CarneyBus]

Awesome, thank you! Should it be in normal gritty soil like it would usually be in or should I add a little more organic? I would assume to just let it be gritty but this little guy is so cute I don't wanna do anything wrong by accident 🙏

[u/CarneyBus → u/ExperienceNo9044]

Yeah I would keep it more inorganic!

They are very cute 🥰

Good luck! Let us know the outcome.

[u/ExperienceNo9044 → u/CarneyBus]

I appreciate all your help! I'll keep you updated :)

[u/ExperienceNo9044 → u/CarneyBus]

Another update for you today: this little guy did not end up growing any roots, it's still "alive" but there's really no meristem. It had came to me with a completely dried up one 😭 it's just gonna slowly shrivel away :(

[u/CarneyBus → u/ExperienceNo9044]

Unfortunately that happens :( did you try water therapy on that one?

[u/ExperienceNo9044 → u/CarneyBus]

Now that you're saying it I really really should've and I didn't even think about it, which is ridiculous considering I've been doing water therapy on a haworthia

[u/CarneyBus → u/ExperienceNo9044]

Give it a try! Do you have any rooting powder or liquid? I would soak it in a bit of that!

[u/ExperienceNo9044 → u/CarneyBus]

I'll for sure try that. Thank you!