Trimming Old Lithops Leaves (and a rescue attempt!)

(CC) If you live in a humid climate, you may find that the old leaves on your Lithops refuse to throughly dry. Here are some tips on what you can do to help remove them so water doesn't get trapped between the old growth and the new plants (which would potentially cause them to rot.)
I also operate on two sad Lithops to see if there's any new growth inside that can be saved! For more information, watch 'Lithops 101' here: • Lithops 101 - What you...
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[@britlew5933]

Nail scissors work reaaly good, they are also curved, which helps a lot.

[@annpayne9954]

Thanks for the tour. Every plant looks healthy. I appreciate the information about lithops. You answer alot of questions for me .

[@barryauguste9734]

You're very brave Andrea. I would trim off some of the dead leaf, then plant in a much bigger pot but leaving the plant higher in the soil. When watering, I would soak only halfway up. Next years old leaves should push these right out.

[@CactusCaffeine]

Wow at the care you give your lithops. And you just helped a baby lithop be born! I love lithops but the feeling is not mutual. 🤨 That Edithcolea is HUGE! The flies are in heaven. 😂

[@SucsForYou]

You could totally manage Lithops! They'd love your climate more than mine I'm certain!

[@brownieswithnonuts2584]

I lost my first set of lithops from rotting. When I pulled the plant up to trash and inspect it i noticed that it was because the old leaves were retaining water and were wet and slimy. Lesson learned.

[@SucsForYou]

Been there! Keep trying!

[@pimpozza]

Loving this vid, Andrea.. it's all thanks to *you* that I am growing some of these weird little lithop gems 👍🤗

[@pimpozza]

Mine have all gone totally dormant this summer with the crazy heatwave we had here in Italy 🇮🇹🔥 (ps.. that is one heck of an impressive stapelia flower!!)

[@SucsForYou]

That's awesome!! And you're the one doing the research so bravo to you! 🙏

[@SucsForYou]

Ooof! Stay safe!

[@pimpozza]

@@SucsForYou I am still living and learning with lithops, Andrea. It's a learning curve for sure but I would *never* have started with them if it hadn't been for you and your amazing advice! I know it's not the first time I said this about lithops, but I simply can't thank you enough for your clear and concise advice!! 🤗🙋🏻‍♀️

[@SucsForYou]

Thank YOU for the kind words and encouragement! It makes me so happy to hear I'm helping 😬🥰

[@Wendyroo6817]

I use a cuticle trimmer to get the old leaves off. A little easier than the scissors

[@SucsForYou]

Good idea! I love my small detail scissors but they were inside.

[@batanghardinero1539]

hey andrea i was wondering if you have ever expirenced heat dormancy just after recieving your bare root lithops?

[@michellemihalko2302]

Why did you put sulphur powder on these? What is it for and what does it do for them? And, what kind of sulphur powder?

[@narwhalssucculents3882]

I have come across some chewy leaves... I was wondering. I recently obtained 2 lithops from MCG, 2 from HD and about 10 teeny weeny ones from Etsy. I know not to water them tho. Thanks Andrea.

[@SucsForYou]

The smols need more water than the bigger guys ;)

[@normpinsky7947]

Sorry, Andrea. I just watched your Lithops 101. Questions answered! Do you give a low level fertilizer at growth stages?

[@SucsForYou]

Honestly I never fertilize my Lithops but some people do.

[@curlsbynat9763]

Hi, I came across your channel 😻I have a question what type of soil do you use for the lithops. I am planning on buying but I have no idea what soil to use I do have fox farm soil.

[@SucsForYou]

I use so little soil it doesn't really matter - like 90% drainage materials to whatever mix I currently have in my bin. Fox Farm should be fine!

[@curlsbynat9763]

@@SucsForYou ❤

[@normpinsky7947]

It seems that you did not add any soil when you repotted the plant. Is the little root ball enough to sustain it?

[@SucsForYou]

For me, yes - it's very humid here!

[@narwhalssucculents3882]

Wait..I need some sulphur powder?

[@SucsForYou]

Not for dried leaves. I use it on any open 'wounds' on a plant :) But it is good to have on hand!

[@tylercarson8032]

Your pendant! Is that from Pale Moon?

[@SucsForYou]

Maybe! It was a gift from a friend :)

[@typergirl2]

Does anyone know what she dusted the injured lithops with? I couldn’t understand/hear what she said. Thanks.

[@SucsForYou]

Sulfur powder :) amzn.to/3iFDmv3

[@typergirl2]

@@SucsForYou Hi! Thanks so much.

[@SucsForYou]

@@typergirl2 Welcome! Its great for preventing fungal/bacterial issues - you can use it on normal cuttings, and dust it on any iffy spots that might be fungal :)

[@Crystal-be9ze]

What does the sulfur powder do?

[@SucsForYou]

It good for open wounds on plants - helps keep pathogens at bay!

[@Dragonbite]

It’s really similar to summer where I live, and my lithops are probably dormant but they still have all of their old leaves attached from when I received them. Should I still do it? (It’s quite humid here, 50% if I’m not mistaken)

[@SucsForYou]

If they're dry, then it wouldn't hurt to trim them before you water again.

[@Dragonbite]

@@SucsForYou I’m planning to repot them afterwards since there were 15 lithops in it cramped together but I don’t have any pumice right now, only normal succulent mix. Would that do while I wait for my pumice to arrive? Thanks!

[@SucsForYou]

@@Dragonbite Sorry just saw this! I'd wait just to save yourself time and less stress for them being repotted 2x.

[@Dragonbite]

@@SucsForYou my pumice has arrived and I prepared my soil mix with 1:4 ratio of pre-made succulent mix to pumice. Is that alright?

[@SucsForYou]

@@Dragonbite sounds delicious lol!

[@johneagle4384]

Why don't you water from the bottom? Or use a lab wash bottle? It would be less traumatic for the plant.

[@SucsForYou]

If you live in a humid climate, you may find that the old leaves on your Lithops refuse to thoroughly dry.

[@johneagle4384]

@@SucsForYou OK. Air humidity is factor. Thank you.