Lithops gracilidelineata (2 pics)

I have started to water these L. gracilidelineata (own seedlings from 2009) and they have inflated immediately.

They are so dreamy! ♥

The photos are very large so make sure to click them.

Wintergrowers (4 pics)

I'm still figuring out the so-called winter-growing mesembs and so far I couldn't really see any particular growing in winter for some reason. All the detectable growing started about a month ago, which is in March. Before that they were seemingly sound asleep.

New and perfect leaves are showing up on the old Argyroderma crateriforme. The smaller 3rd head also has something inside but I think it will die off eventually like it's counterpart. Argyrodermas seem to have very shallow roots. This plant is hopping out of the pot a lot when the roots are inactive and I need to weigh it down with something. 

I'm keeping all Conophytums dry. I read that's what you do. We'll see how this'll play out. Basically they should become dry shells and after a while apparently new leaves will come out. In theory. I sure hope so. Otherwise they will just dry and die I guess. Nevertheless, I can see new leaves shining through on this Conophytum pellucidum (with a long name) at least, so that's a relief. No idea about the others. They are very wrinkly though.

Looks like my Cheiridopsis are enjoing whatever comes their way. The care is quite easy and more or less intuitive (good word for when you don't know what you're doing haha). I really want to grow more of this species. The one year old Cherry kids (C. pillansii) are doing fine and growing new leaves.

The grown ups are showing new leaves, too. And even new branches! Bigger pots required once I get that pane for the windowsill. On the left side of the picture there are two Mitrophyllum grande plants. They're not very "grande", as you see, compared to the Cheridopsis (they are all in 5x5cm pots). These plants are a great success! Well, if by success we understand "yay, they're still alive". You can see the A-leaves and the B-leaves. And I think the next A-leaves are about to break though. Probably the older A-leaves should have dried off by now, but okay, whatever floats your pot. I'm trying to be more tolerant of the private dealings of my plants ;)

Redder than red (5 pics)

Sorry, I just had to share this with you. Every year when my L. lesliei 'Fred's Redhead' are changing their leaves I'm so amazed how dark they actually are. This is not a red color as suggested by the name. This is dark velvety vine color. The one in the middle is almost black! 

They are quote small for their age and I doubt they will flower this year, but who knows. Would be great to sow more. They are so unusual.

Free seeds (UPDATE)

Hi guys. I got a lot of seed orders over the past few days and it will take me some time to prepare them. Please be patient. I'm on it :)

UPDATE: All gone, thank you!

Paper pockets for seeds (tutorial)

Since I'm currently at it here is a quick tutorial of how to make paper pockets to store your seeds. 

They are easy to do and pretty much ideal for their purpose. No sticky tape or glue and no cutting or ripping to open them. Also, you can open and close them as often as you wish, no problem at all. If you want to sow all seeds at once you just unfold and have them all on a piece of paper before you. They're safe to store and to send in the mail in a simple envelope (no squashed seeds!).

Free seeds

Yesterday I finally came around to sorting out my seed boxes and sowing some Lithops. I've sown 22 different kinds! Some of them have been waiting for 5 years so I'm not sure what to expect of the germination rate but we'll see. I read they can stay viable for 30 years.

I've also harvested some seed capsules and have more seeds to offer for free now.

Please check the list HERE. (all sold)

The proper look (8 pics)

This time of the year is pretty exciting for a lithops fan. The new leaves are starting to show revealing fresh two-heads and all those patterns and colors that appear so new to us because over the last several months we already forgot how our plants actually look like. But before we are allowed to see them in all their glory there's a transition stage to go through. Some might say the plants look especially ugly but for the connoisseur this sight is beautiful and most welcome. It means everything goes well and we can look forward to the new season of inspired lithops-watching. The proper look in March is when they look like old shoe soles.

Sleepyheads

Lithops lesliei look like they are not particularly happy the spring is coming. They seem to squint in the first warm sunlight and hide back in their cozy pumice beds. "Don't wake us just yet!"

New growing season!

My dear readers, I'm sorry I have neglected the blog this winter. It's been busy and chaotic during and after the move to my new place but things are getting better, I'm settling in and finally have more time to look around instead of running all the time. I've been using my weekends for shopping (so many things are needed when you move!), assembling new furniture (all by myself and very proud of it) and simply getting used to the new environment (much like my planties). During the weekdays I couldn't take any pictures - I leave home in the dark and come back from work in the dark.

Anyway, this is how the new lithops-growing-place looks like. I'm going to put a panel from one side of the "inner balcony" to the other and shield it from the living room with curtains creating a winter garden of sorts. There will be much more room there for all the new sowings I've been planning for so long. I want to use the actual balcony for summer plant growing as well (much more light there!) but have to figure out how exactly.

I've lost some plants but much less than expected and about as many as I lose every winter. But we're not out of the woods just yet. The first year in the new environment is critical so this year I'm going to find out which plants can grow well here, which need a special care and which won't grow at all. I think this apartment will offer less sunlight but so far I can not see any plant growth assosiated with bad light conditions (fingers crossed it stays this way). And there is a first flower of 2015 - Delosparma harazianum decided to open a flower that's been in the pre-flowering state since months. Does it even have a fixed flowering season? To see it is very welcome and encouraging.

Lithops are doing their thing and regenerating more or less gracefully. L. fulviceps are doing it so nicely again they deserve a portrait. It definitely pays off for them to sometimes start the regeneration in summer already - they finish perfectly in time. And all the fresh two-headed-ness!

Perfect leaf changing performance from L. gesinae v. annae.

Smaller seedlings seem to be doing more or less okay. L. lesliei 'Fred's Redhead' are, I think, in fact doing much better this winter and I hope for a good growing season for them. Others are still in early stages while older seedling are all done by now and just slumber waterless untill it's warmer. Check out the cute smiling L. steineckeana!

I'm not watering any of the lithops yet but some of other succulents depending on their needs (judged solely visually). Avonias were getting a little water all the time (click for XXL pic).