Living Stones/Linthops / Succulents

Discussion in 'Cacti and Succulents' started by ricky101, Oct 23, 2017.

  1. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

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    Hi all,

    Been looking around the web and you see all sorts of potting mix formulations for Lithops.

    Any recommendations of any brand of ready made packet mixes or of a simple mix to make myself.
    Can get perlite locally in fine or medium sizes, but cannot say I have seen Pumice that quiet a few sites mention, or is that more an American thing, or really what we know as Vermiculite?

    Am looking for a suitable pot for make a small display of them, so likely it will be clay or glazed rather than plastic, again any preference here ?

    Going to go to a different branch of the place where I got those three plants the other day, hopefully they will have a selection as well ?

    thanks
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I've used all kinds of stuff as compost, they will grow in anything that has good drainage.
    I've used sharp sand alone, and something called seramis, (clay granules), I just give a dilute liquid feed maximum of twice a year, when in growth.
    But you can get away with 75% sharp sand and 25% soil based compost.

    They have more root system than you might think, so deeper pots are good if you want to grow a few in a large pot.
     
  3. PaulB3

    PaulB3 Gardener

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    Hello ricky101
    Just read your post ; you can buy terra-cotta (clay) 'bulb-bowls' or pans in GCs ; these are about one-foot across and 6-8" deep . Have you looked online @ the growing conditions of Lithops in habitat ?
    My own 'homemade' mix would consist of aquarium grit combined with a coarse sand ; organic matter I would keep to a minimum (if any at all) , especially if liquid feeding .
    The negative factor here will be the sheer weight of the bowl when filled with a grit mix (!!) .

    Perlite and coarse sand would be an alternative again , but the former has the dubious habit of rising to the surface over time . Display pots are a personal preference ; I would opt for different species in individual pots , as I like to pick up and examine the plants periodically .

    Good hunting for different species ; PS Have you tried a cactus-nursery ?
     
  4. miraflores

    miraflores Total Gardener

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    cacti societies do periodical exhibitions selling plants quite cheap. You can try there
     
  5. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

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    Out of my depth here.......however, fascinating and tempting. Will follow this thread with interest :)
     
  6. strongylodon

    strongylodon Old Member

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    Can't think of an easier plant to grow, you can forget them completely from November to March, even in Summer on a full sun conservatory window sill I only water once every two weeks.
    Like Aspidistras and Sanseverias, you can only kill them by over watering.:smile:
     
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    • PaulB3

      PaulB3 Gardener

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      the study of the Cactaceae in their habitat | cactusinhabitat
      Some amazing photography here showing the true habitats of many S.American cacti . Go onto A&M at the top , but make sure you click 'english' at the bottom of the opening page . To attempt to emulate natural growing conditions is difficult , but many of the 'S.Americans' are more amenable to cultivation than the 'N.Americans'; obvious exceptions being the notorious Uebelmannias , Discocactus and Buiningia etc . ; These are typical dry-hot forest dwellers often growing on nothing more than pure quartzite !
      We used to have partial success at Whitestone years ago ; seedlings using the perlite method were OK , but the few imports available had no chance . Gladly bringing these gems into the UK from their native climes has (hopefully) been abolished .
      The same rule applied to imported Copiapoas from Chile ; a totally edaphic species 100% evolved for its unique habitat (Atacama desert); imports ALL failed and died ; seedlings grown in the UK seem to grow well .
       
    • Selleri

      Selleri Koala

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    • PaulB3

      PaulB3 Gardener

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      Selleri
      Thanks for your response to my link ; there are a great many misconceptions regarding cacti . Having worked with and grown for many years , what I find amazing is the ability of tiny seedlings ( the Browningias for example) to gain a precipitous primary foothold in such a rainless , desolate and forbidding landscape (!) .
      The Copiapoas have evolved to rely completely on the 'Garua' fog , which rolls in daily and condenses on special grooves in their spines , which in turn drips down to the roots .

      I find all plants fascinating , all genera having adapted to their particular niche in nature .:scratch:
       
    • PaulB3

      PaulB3 Gardener

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      PS Maybe people will realise that a 'windowsill' is not particularly ideal !:)
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      DSC_0893.JPG
       
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      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

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        Growing quite a few echeverias and aeoniums now.....some quite large......aeonium zwarskopf for example, for a few years, and it usually survives the winter outside. This and last summer aeoniums have featured in the border here as bushy metre plus tall specimens.
        Having visited a local specialist succulent nursery, Surreal Succulents, in the summer I have been captivated by the myriad of varieties available; truly beautiful plants. They grow quite fast in a single season many doubling or even tripling in size esp when repotted.
        For such minimal maintenance too I think they will be more widely grown.....even bought a couple of echeverias today in my local lidl store.....£1.99 each! :)
         
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        • zilly

          zilly Gardener

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          Hello guys, I've just bought a selection of cactus, only had the 'living stone' one a week, when I bought it, it was all tight together. But it is now opening up as in pic, what is happening could it be a flower. I am in Spain for the winter so am putting them outside during the day.
           

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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Yep, I think it might be.
            Do you know which species it is?
             
          • zilly

            zilly Gardener

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            No Pete I don't know which species it is. I popped into the garden centre primarily to purchase geraniums when I saw the cactus display and couldn't resist buying a collection.
             
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