Sunday, November 1, 2015

Lithops experiment part 4 (2 pics)

I thought I'll update you on the lithops rescue mission.

As you might remember these plants were seriously overfed while not receiving enough light (bottom shelf inside a hardware store) and I would normally leave them there because they would die anyway, no matter your good intentions. However this time I decided to get them as an experiment on how lithops plants at this stage of maltreatment might be rescued or even returned to the normal size and look with time. The idea was to withhold water until the new leaves of a much smaller size emerge. Which means these plants are now being without any water since June 18. I'm still far from being convinced that the mission will be successful. I reckon, once I can detect new leaves growing they might have a chance.

At the moment the plants are very wrinkled and have lost at least half of their size. Which was the goal from the start (just realized this was the exact wording in the first entry in June!). Now if the new leaves are already growing inside it will be much easier for them to consume the old leaves and come out safely the normal way, not through the sides. I have no means of knowing whether the new leaves are growing in the shorter plants but the cucumber (to be fair it really has improved over the months) is quite soft and when I squeeze the sides I actually can feel where the new leaves start already. It was a massive relief! Several more months and we will know the fate of these plants. I'll keep you updated.

Please see the previous related entries under tips and tricks.


4 comments:

  1. I have had light starved Lithops that have started to etiolate. Many time if they stretch too much I cut the top off of the leaves so that the new growth will not have to grow though the entire etiolated plant. Of course it saves the new growth from being stretched. A sterile razor blade works well.

    I think your experiment is worthy and I am enjoying seeing how it progresses! Thanks.

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    1. I practice the cutting method too Frank :) It really helps in case of badly overgrown lithops, especially when there is just no time for any kind of correction attempt. In this case the plants have had lots of time since June to shrivel and shorten their existing leaves so that I hope surgery will not be necessary. However I still might do it for the longer plant if I notice that the leaves inside are growing in hight more than in width. At the moment I can feel the new leaves approximately at the substrate level. But they are definitely too small yet and I'll give them a chance to grow naturally for now. Also, for the sake of the experiment :D

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  2. I've grown lithops for a long time and I've lost many a plant, so I've developed a tough skin concerning lithops problems. However, your experiment and the accompanying photos have made me begin cheering for the three poor pseudotruncatellas and really hoping they get themselves (with your help) straightened out and live a future life of health and prosperity. Of course I know from my years at the university you should never get emotionally involved with your research experiments, but this time I make an exception. :)

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    1. I know! I'm trying very hard not to get attached to them! They are doing their part so well that it's hard not to. They are far from safe though... And regarding the tall one, I'm wondering whether I should maybe cut it open to let the new leaves see some light already. Not that they'll try to grow long within the long old leaves.
      I don't know yet what to do. I'll give them some more time for now.

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