Saturday, December 19, 2015

Lithops experiment part 5 (4 pics)

Continuing the series about three overgrown lithops and an attempt to save them and get them into proper shape, here is the most recent development.

The lithops were shrinking as expected, however I fear I noticed way too late, that the tallest one had grown the new leaves inside to a size that is definitely too long for them! Actually, I wanted to cut it open before this happens, even though I understand that the'd be immature at that time, so it might have been bad either way. Now that I noticed, I've ripped the old leaves open to get some light upon the new ones and prevent them from growing even longer. I'm pretty sure I was too late but we'll see. I was afraid to miss the "point of no return" with the other plants so I've ripped another one as well. The third one doesn't show any signs of new leaves though, which is even more worrisome. Oh well, it is an experiment so we'll just have to wait and see. I guess, if they survive, it will be another year until they look normal.

For your future reference, if you buy cucumber shaped lithops, prepare to spend 2 years correcting them - in a best case scenario! It's really not worth it. In 2 years you can grow your own perfect little lithops kids from seed ;)


8 comments:

  1. All it needed was some TLC. I think it was worthwhile.

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    1. I don't know. If I'm ever experimenting again I would try a slightly different tactic. I'd wait until I can feel new leaves inside and then water the plants to induce rapid growth of the new leaves (as I would hope) so that the rip through the plant's side and then I'd cut off the old leaves completely.

      What is TLC?

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  2. TLC = Tender Loving Care. I've got a few leggy lithops, I had never thought of ripping the old leaves to get light on the new before they grow too long.
    I might try it.

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    1. The trick is to do it not too early and not too late... I did it before and it works.

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  3. Any tips on how to judge "the perfect time" ? I have some etiolated lithops with new leaves inside them. The old pairs have bulges in the waists and are splitting open on one side.

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    1. If they are already splitting on their own you might rip them up to the top to let them come out easier and let more light shine on them... It's difficult... That's why the experiment... I missed the perfect time on the long one but if i ripped it earlier the new leaves might have been still too small to survive. Overgrown lithops don't have good chances from the start, unfortunately :(

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  4. 你需要一個LED燈去觀察他在陰影裡的生長狀況

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