Why Is My Lithops Gracilidelineata Dying?

There are many possible reasons to why your Lithops gracilidelineata plant is dying.

These are;

Too Cold Temperatures

Too cold temperatures can be a problem for Lithops. The optimum temperature level for a Lithops is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

This plant may begin to perish when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. They can tolerate a mild frost and withstand temperatures as low as -7 degrees Celsius for brief periods, provided the soil is dry.

However, the minimum temperature that they require is 5 degrees Celsius.

Overwatering

Lithops is a succulent plant, therefore water is not required very often. You should provide water only once the soil becomes very dry because Lithops are prone to rotting at the base of the plant if they are overwatered.

They need to be watered only when the soil has dried out completely. If a Lithops gracilidelineata is underwatered it will lose its leaves and die.

Lack Of Sunlight

A sunny window is important to a Lithops gracilidelineata’s health. A lack of sunlight can make the cells at the bottom of the plant die and can cause dying flowers.

If you continue to grow your Lithops gracilidelineata in a dark place, it can cause them to become too weak to survive.

Pests Infestation

There are some pests that eat Lithops gracilidelineata leaves and flowers. The common pests that eat them are mealybugs, spider mites, thrips.

They are usually found on the plants from the ground up to the middle of the leaves. These pests are very destructive and cause a significant amount of damage.

If you notice either a discoloration on the leaves or an insect attached to your plant, it is likely that you have pests on your Lithops gracilidelineata.

Poor Soil

Poor soil is usually caused by not adding enough nutrients in the soil, not watering enough or providing too much water.

One of the best ways to promote healthy Lithops gracilidelineata is by adding compost and mulch to your potting mix. Poor Soil can lead to poor growth, low flowering, and in severe cases, death.

Lack Of Oxygen

A lack of oxygen can cause your Lithops gracilidelineata to become weak and will eventually die. If the soil is very compacted or has not been properly aerated with air should be added to your Lithops gracilidelineata soil.

Lack of oxygen is usually supported by over watering the plant, leading to rotting at the base of the plant.

Over Fertilization

Over fertilization can also make your Lithops gracilidelineata to become weak and experience discoloration.

The best type of fertilizer to use is one that is specifically made for cactus and succulent plants. If you do not want to buy a specific type of fertilizer, then you can use Miracle Grow (a general purpose fertilizer) once in a growing season.

Extreme High Temperature

Extreme high temperatures cause a Lithops gracilidelineata to lose its leaves. If the temperature is too hot, the soil should be allowed to cool down before adding more water or it will become too moist and rot at the base of your plant.

The soil at the bottom of your plant should be allowed to dry out before any more water is added.

What Is The Ideal Sunlight For Lithops Gracilidelineata?

The plant loves direct sunlight. Even if they are maintained in shaded regions, you should ensure they are exposed to plenty of light for at least four or five hours each day.

If this does not happen, the plant will get Lithops etiolated, which means it will become longer. It is well known that once the plant senses the presence of sunlight, it will begin to grow longer.

During the warmer months, you should try to provide the plant some sunlight in the morning or afternoon.

Another aspect that must be taken into consideration is whether or not the location has adequate air ventilation.

How Often Do You Fertilize Lithops Gracilidelineata?

Feed them once throughout the growing season with a fertilizer that has been particularly prepared for cacti and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), containing all micro nutrients and trace elements, diluted to one-half the strength that is advised on the label.

They can survive on soils that are deficient in nutrients and require just a small amount of fertilizer to prevent the plants from producing an abundance of greenery that is susceptible to fungus diseases.

Fertilization is something that varies greatly from grower to grower. However, fertilization is not truly required for extremely succulent mesembs such as Lithops, Conophytums, and other similar species.

How Do I Deal With Splitting Lithops Gracilidelineata?

When the leaves of your Lithops gracilidelineata plant are beginning to split, you should allow the plant to absorb the moisture from the older leaves into the newer ones so that the problem, typically caused by overwatering, may be remedied.

When the bark is cracking, you shouldn’t give them any water. If you water the plants while they are dividing their leaves, the older leaves will continue to grow large and eventually suffocate the newer ones.

The primary reason for the splitting of Lithops is excessive watering, however light and other aspects of the surrounding environment can also play a part in the process.

If you want to successfully manage your dividing Lithops, you will need to give it a great deal of attention. If you choose to divide Lithops in either of the two ways described above, you shouldn’t water them for a bit thereafter.

If an existing leaf spontaneously splits, you shouldn’t water the plant until the wound has healed. Aside from that, if the leaf that is splitting is new, you should let it drain the water from the older leaves.

The old leaves will provide the nutrients necessary for the new leaves’ growth, which will then emerge.

If the Lithops plant receives water through its roots, the possibility of the older leaves drying up and falling off surrounding the younger ones is eliminated.

Do I Need To Water Lithops Gracilidelineata During Winter?

Don’t water during the winter season. During the winter, the new pair of leaves on a Lithops plant obtain water from the previous year’s leaves.

The old pair will appear to shrink over time while the new pair will continue to expand over time.

They do not require additional watering throughout the winter months; if you do so, the moisture will be absorbed by the dead leaves. Because of this, the plant’s growth may be halted and may perish.

At this point in the year, you ought to have Lithops in their unspoiled state. Also, make sure that they are not exposed to temperatures that are lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

They thrive at colder temperatures since the majority of their composition is water.

What Causes The Lithops Gracilidelineata Splitting Process To Take Place?

After Lithops gracilidelineata flowers, it goes into dormancy, during which at least one new body develops.

In the spring, it will typically begin to reabsorb the old leaves while new ones begin to develop at the same time. In the end, the new body emerges from the crack that was previously there between the older leaves.

The splitting of the young leaves forms at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to the splitting of the older leaves.

Old leaves eventually become a dry, papery sheath on the new body’s side when they wither away and fall off.

In order to flourish, Lithops require sufficient amounts of strong sunshine, adequate amounts of water, and healthy soil drainage.

There are two different mechanisms that lead to the splitting of Lithops, however the primary cause is over watering of the plants.

In the event that the leaf is subjected to overwatering, there is nowhere within the leaf to store the excess water; hence, in order for the leaf to make the necessary adjustments, it will explode open.

It will appear as though your Lithops leaf has a split lip or as though there has been a jagged cut on the leaf.

In the other way of Lithops splitting, Lithops push the new leaves up from the root system.

When the new leaves come in, the old leaves fall off and are replaced by the new ones. Once the new leaves come in, the old leaves shrivel up and die.

How Long Will Lithops Gracilidelineata Live?

Lithops are generally very long lived, and they can live to an age of at least 50 years, if taken care of properly.

In their younger years, they are very delicate compared to other cacti, but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of them.

The majority of them can be found growing outdoors in the wild with other Lithops gracilidelineata plants, and many have been known to survive for over 40 years!

They can live for decades if planted at the right temperature, adequate sunlight and Proper watering.