• howler@lemmy.zipEnglish
      23·
      27 days ago

      Well, they are heavily edited for sure. Lithops aren’t that bright. They survive by looking like rocks, not candy lmao.

      But they are fun to grow (I have several)

  • General_Effort@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    27 days ago

    These look so calm and friendly. Maybe I should get into succulents. Anyone got quick advice?

    ETA: Thanks for the tips. I made up my mind that I’ll fetch some cheap ones from the store to get my feet wet. We’ll see how it goes.

    • resting_parrot@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      8·
      27 days ago

      You can pack them together fairly closely. Succulents don’t mind being a bit crowded. Water them when the soil is dry. Make sure there is good drainage in the soil and a hole in the bottom of the pot so the roots don’t rot out. Finally, don’t feel too bad if you kill a couple. It takes time to figure it out!

    • AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.netEnglish
      8·
      27 days ago

      Only water when the soil is dry at least an inch deep. When you do water, water thoroughly, until water is freely coming from the drainage holes in the bottom. An optional way to water thoroughly is to let the plant pot stand in a tray of water for half an hourish (I use an inch or so of water). This is called “bottom up watering”

      Make sure that any pot you use has drainage holes. A common mistake beginners make is to plant directly into decorative pots that have no drainage holes. This is bad because when the soil doesn’t have enough chance to dry out between waterings, it leads to root rot. You can still use a pretty pot if you want, just make sure that you have an inner pot with drainage holes that you can take out of the exterior pot when it’s watering time. (The decorative exterior pots can be useful for causing things to tip over less).

      Finally, don’t assume that succulents or cacti will be happy in bright, direct sun. They can still get scorched.

  • gigachad@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    8·
    27 days ago

    I have one of the living stones at the bottom right in a flower pot. Sadly it grows really weird and doesn’t look so cool anymore then…

    • Dvixen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      27 days ago

      It’s badly etoliated (stretching to get more sun) and appears to be in a soil with too much organic matter.

      The poor dear needs heaps more sun, and soil that doesn’t retain much, if any water.

      (I have a few lithops. I’m shocked yours is still alive!)

      • gigachad@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        4·
        27 days ago

        Haha thank you! It seems to be a very resistant plant. I guess it could be a good idea to put it into a more sandy soil. Regarding the sun - it doesn’t really strech towards the window, it just seems to have no real grip in the soil and just “lays down”.

        • Dvixen@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          27 days ago

          The problem with some succulents is they will appear alive, but actually already have one foot in the grave. It laying down without any grip into the soil might mean the taproot is gone.

          When you repot it, take your time, and check that it’s tap root is intact. It’s ok to let it sit out in the open for a day or two - any damage should scab over. (And after repotting, let it alone for a week or so before offering it a drink)

          If there is a taproot - you’re good to go, but if there is little to no root, chances are slim it will survive. There are methods to encourage a new taproot, but that is (currently) above my knowledge level. (AKA I’ve never been able to get them to grow a new taproot.)

  • Nangijala@feddit.dkEnglish
    3·
    27 days ago

    I love weird succulents. My personal favourite is the Echeveria setosa forma cristata

    I had a medium sized one many years ago, but it died. Luckily two of its babies survived and are still alive, but these things grow at the speed of a glacier.