Is Lithops Gracilidelineata A Living Stone?

Lithops (living stones or) are the easiest but the toughest succulents to care for.

They seem to be little stones due to their size, shape, and color, allowing them to seamlessly fit in among the rocks for concealment and defense.

In addition, giving your Lithops the appropriate amount of water at the right time will maintain them healthy and robust, however if you don’t give them the right amount of water at the right time, you will have to deal with Lithops that have split.

When Do Lithops Gracilidelineata Experience New Growth?

Lithops plants have two forms of growth each year. The first type is when a flower blooms.

This often occurs between August and September, or during the fall.

The split or slit between the two Lithops leaves begins to separate as the first evidence of this blooming new growth.

It will only take a few days for a bud to appear between the two leaves, eventually flowering into a yellow or white flower.

Lithops plants only produce blooms when they are mature, thus they must be three or five years old before they may begin to produce flowers.

As the flower expands, you’ll see that the crack becomes wider.

This is when you’ll notice fresh leaves peeking out from between them, but they won’t fully emerge yet.

Lithops plants that are older and more mature may generate two pairs of new leaves instead of one, generating two bodies from the same root system.

A Lithops with more bodies than that is rare, but it is feasible – it just takes a very long time!

Winter is when fresh Lithops leaves completely emerge. This may appear to be unusual timing, but it is due to the fact that the new leaves are meant to quickly replace the old ones.

New leaves require the old, shriveling ones to live by sucking moisture from them that they can’t acquire easily throughout the winter.

The Lithops’ new body and leaves will gently draw out the water from the old leaves. You should not water a Lithops plant at all during this period to guarantee steady development.

This is also when you’ll notice a Lithops becoming mushy and soft, a symptom of the old leaves withering as they get thinner and more papery, their nutrients and water being eaten up by new growth.

You can remove the old leaves once they have reduced to shell-like thin sheets and the new leaves have fully grown in.

What Is The Best Temperature For Lithops Gracilidelineata?

Lithops can tolerate warm and scorching weather because they are desert succulents.

Lithops grow best at temperatures ranging from 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 26°C).

Lithops require a minimum temperature of 55°F (12°C), however temperatures below freezing will kill the heat-loving succulents.

If you are in USDA zones 10 or 11, you may grow Lithops outside in a succulent garden.

Lithops are not cold resistant succulents and will perish in temps below freezing.

How Long Do Lithops Gracilidelineata Survive Without Water?

This is the most critical aspect of Lithops care, yet it is also the most misunderstood. Watering regimens are determined by the seasonal cycle of Lithops gracilidelineata.

Summer

Do not water! During the summer, they remain dormant, and any irrigation might destroy them. This season is expected to be bone-dry, with no humidity or rain.

Watering will cause them to decay and become mushy. Make an exception only if they get excessively wrinkled; in that case, water them lightly and they will plump up again within a week.

Autumn

Lithops begin to develop again in the early fall. The first symptom is usually a bud pushing its way out from between the leaves.

This stalk develops into a flower, and the beginnings of new leaves are frequently seen around this time.

Start the growth process by completely bathing the plant with water at the start of this season. Continue to water as needed. Never water a succulent if the soil is still moist from the last watering.

Winter

Do not water! During this time of year, the new pair of leaves draws water from the old ones.

They will appear to wilt with time, but the new pair will grow slowly.

If your water, the old leaves will try to drink it, confusing the plant’s development and causing both sets of leaves to perish.

During this season, simply leave your Lithops alone. Also, be certain that they are not exposed to temperatures below 55°F. They are primarily water and do not fare well in frigid temperatures.

Spring

You may finally remove the old leaves and continue watering after they have shriveled up into paper-like husks.

Water sparingly stimulates new bud growth at first, then gradually increases to full waterings as needed.

Your Lithops should have a long life if you follow these watering requirements (40-50 years).

Watering may only be required three or four times a year for certain Lithops.

Others can be watered every few weeks during their growth seasons (spring and autumn).

When it’s time to water, treat them like any other succulent: sprinkle water at the plant’s base until the soil is saturated and water begins to flow out of the bottom.

If in doubt, wait until you notice apparent wrinkling on the leaves before watering.

You’ll still have plenty of time to fix any thirst issues before your plant suffers severe harm. If possible, water first thing in the morning.

This permits the water to escape during the day while retaining less damaging moisture in the roots.

What Are The Pests That Affects Lithops Gracilidelineata?

Lithops gracilidelineata has a few natural threats and pests that are common for a succulent.

The most common pest is an insect called the mealybug and rarely scale.

Mealybugs are powdery pests that suck the liquid out of the leaves.

You will notice that the plant’s leaves look dusty or like a cotton ball has been glued to them. You can remove these pests by gently rubbing off both the insect and their stickiness from your plant.

Scales are rare, but they can be seen as small brown dots on your succulent’s body or leaves.

How Do You Repot Lithops Gracilidelineata?

They may stay in the same pot for many years. Plants planted in bigger pots usually produce subpar blossoms.

Flowers might improve when the plants are given their own, small individual pots.

Repotting of Lithops gracilidelineata is a very simple process.

• Remove the plant from its plastic container. If the plant seems to be a tight fit in the pot, loosen some of the surrounding soil with a spoon.
• Gently remove any adhered potting soil from the roots of your succulent by shaking them and rinsing under a faucet. Shake excess water from your succulent.
• Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than its current or previous one, so there will be minimal repotting time (if you use an identical container as before).
• Add a layer of small stones or clay pellets on the bottom to improve drainage.
• Settle your Lithops gracilidelineata into the pot and fill in with potting soil around its roots – do not bury them too deeply! Overwatering can kill a succulent.
• Water well after you have finished repotting your Lithops gracilidelineata plant.
• Keep your Lithops gracilidelineata planted in the same pot for years.

Why Is My Lithops Gracilidelineata Dropping Leaves?

There are several possible explanations for dropped Lithops gracilidelineata leaves.

Overwatering

Overwatering is the most common causes of Lithops gracilidelineata death.

Because Lithops gracilidelineata is primarily a water-retaining succulent, they will rot and die if given too much water.

If your Lithops leaves are drooping, shriveling or dropping off, it is likely that you are giving them too much water. The problem with overwatering is that it can lead to fungal overgrowth.

Too Cold Temperature

Lithops gracilidelineata is a succulent and needs warmer weather to grow.

If the temperature around your Lithops gracilidelineata drops below 50°F, it can be fatal to this succulent.

They will drop, begin to wither and slowly die. While cold drafts can also cause damage to this plant, they are usually able to recover from brief exposure.

Pests Infestation

Your Lithops gracilidelineata leaves are most likely being attacked by a pest.

Mealybugs will cover your plant’s leaves with a thick, cottony “snow-like” substance. Scale will look like small brown bumps on the stems and leaves.

Both pests are easy to remove and treat. Gently remove the pests with rubbing alcohol, then rinse off their residue. Water the plant well to prevent abrasion.

Too Low Light Levels

While Lithops gracilidelineata plants do not need direct sunlight, they need to be given some light to grow.

If your Lithops gracilidelineata is being kept in low light, it may begin to lose its leaves and appear shriveled. Make sure that the plant gets at least a few hours of bright light each day.

Wrong Potting Mix

If you are using the wrong potting mix, your plant may die because the soil will be too compacted. This will cause the plant to not be able to receive enough air.

The best potting mix is a mixture of sand and soil. If you are unsure what your succulent would prefer, check with the plant’s tag or grower.

Over Fertilization

Over fertilization can cause damage to Lithops gracilidelineata because of their small root systems. Over fertilization leads to root rot, which can be lethal to a succulent.

If your plant’s leaves are drooping, shriveling or dropping off, it may be caused by too much fertilizer.

A fertilizer designed exclusively for use with cacti should be applied to each plant just once throughout the growing season.