I know this is a cacti forum, but Daiv is a little concerned that people are classifying succulents as true cacti. I know he has put some info up on the site, but this may help as well.
Well if you ever see anything like these you will know they are definitely succulents. Commonly called Living Stones, the proper name is Lithops (always the plural, even for a single plant). Their body colour mimics the surrounding landscape where they are found, e.g. if they are grey they are usually found where the ground consists of mostly grey stone and soil. Brown, brown stones and soil etc. They are probably the most succulent plant you will ever see. Comprising of just two swollen leaves.
They have a unique form of development. A new body forms within the old one. This happens each year. So hey presto, you end up with a new plant every year.
These are a selection of my Lithops. The one that is completely red near the bottom of the picture is Lithops optica rubra, one of the rarer plants in cultivation and very few are found in the wild, because their coloration does little to protect them from animals etc. The plant will grow from seed, but very few of the seedlings come true, hence the rarity.
They all come from Southern Africa. They are quite hardy, 40f. is enough for them in winter, the time when the grow a new body within the old one. They do not take up a lot of room in the greenhouse, quite a large number can be kept in a small space. they also grow very well together in bowls. They seem to like one anothers company.
Finally it has been said that a Lithops can last for two and half years without water, whether this is true or not I am not too sure. What they do like is a constant air movement and all the sun you can give them. If they do not get the air movement in a greenhouse they tend to boil within the body because of their extremely high succulence.
Hope this helps some of you
John
