what's going on with these lithops?

[tomo]

I followed your advice and watered the "odd" looking lesliei about 4 or 5 days ago, and last night, lo and behold, I noticed it's opening up a tiny bit! I can see something sort of orangey-brown inside (not visible in this photo)--new leaves? This is a good sign, right?

[iann]

I can't tell from the photo, but something inside would be a good sign. It should be a nice bright patterned leaf pair, but occasionally you just find a dry husk.

[tomo]

Oh good! I've been watching it for the past few days, and it's opened up a bit more and it looks like something inside has the same speckled pattern on top, only the color is orangey-brown. I'll keep watching and hope for the best!

[iann]

New Lithops leaves always have strong colours. After a summer in the sun they look a bit faded.

L. karasmontana ssp bella

bella-0501.jpg (79.89 KiB) Viewed 1535 times

L. verruculosa

verruculosa-0501.jpg (76.43 KiB) Viewed 1535 times

L. bromfieldii var mennellii

mennellii-0501.jpg (74.44 KiB) Viewed 1535 times

[tomo]

Thanks for the fascinating photos, Ian! It looks similar to what I'm seeing ('tho I can only see a tiny bit, but it is gradually moving forward...) your suggestion of giving the lithop the drink of water seems to have shaken it out of its slumbers!

[iann]

At this time of year water, fingers crossed, goes to the new leaves. This can cause them to break through the old leaves and hasten progress, or it can backfire and just fatten up the old leaves as well. All part of the learning curve.