Why Large Lithops Often Shrink Drastically When They Get New Leaves/ Checking Lithops Root Health

I got these lithops in 2016 from a big box store, and they were overwatered and abused. They shed their leaves last year but lost all their roots in the process. So now, almost a year later I’m checking for the first time to see what their root systems look like now. Their care and watering schedule changes based on how developed and healthy, or shriveled and dead the roots look like. So I’m giving them a quick look over and thought you guys might like to come along!
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[@CactusCaffeine]

Hi Ashley. How are you? I just want to tell you that I am binge watching your lithops videos and I love them. So helpful. Hope you are well and looking forward to more videos from you. 🙂

[@gsdwong794]

Great video ! Thanks ! 👍👍👍👍🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🙏🙏🥰

[@gsdwong794]

The most important thing for plants is water ! When , and How Much ! 🙏🙏

[@sandywall4079]

Your videos are great for me. I have been doing the same thing with box store lithops but have never been able to develop a good root system because I have been under watering. Learning can be a real challenge. Thanks

[@angieholstein5618]

Ordered my first set of Lithops..... hoping that watching all your videos gives me a bit of an advantage

[@lyses5975]

Love your videos! So much helpful

[@mihailamarcel5201]

does they feel comftble to remove them from the pot,to check their roots? does they get stressed? im thinking to check their roots but not sure if they are stressed after that..mine have no roots because i took small branches (so to say) i planted them in the pot, thnx

[@sweepeckquek6890]

Hi Ashley. I bought 2 pots of Lithops from Trader Joes a couple of days ago (September, Bay Area, California) (they were on a rack in the shade and would not have had any sun for any part of the day if that's where they stayed). I put them next to a South facing window. They looked a little shriveled so I watered them and they plumped up a little. The next day one of the pots looked even more shriveled than when I got them. What did I do wrong and what should I do now? Thank you.

[@CBar-rd6im]

Hi Ashley, I have been using mostly pumice for my mesembs, do you recommend that or a pumice cactus soil mix? If you do recommend it what percentile do you feel works best?

[@phileofarm1]

C. Bar, I usually either do pure pumice, or mix my own. When I make my own mix depending on the situation, size, variety and age of the lithops. I typically keep bags of pumice, vermiculite, sand, peat, coconut choir, and gritty mix around, and mix various mixtures up depending on the situation. But as a general lithops potting mix I usually do something along the lines of 6 parts pumice to one part peat (for a little acidity) and 1/2 part sand and 1/2 part vermiculite. But the sand and vermiculite are really optional. And if there is any hint of rot I don’t use the peat. Sometimes I use coconut choir instead of the peat in lithops that were overwatered as it doesn’t seem to have the same bacterial issues that potting mix blends can have. But all my mixes are very pumice heavy. In a pinch vermiculite can be used with good success as well, I just prefer pumice and can get it easily, so that’s what I use. I hope that helps!

[@CBar-rd6im]

Thanks so much for your info., appreciate it! Have a great day!

[@littlebeebs1]

When the slit starts to open just slightly in the middle, does that mean it’s starting to divide and make new leaves ? Is it normal for the slit in the middle to start opening in the summer ? Does being inside in the air conditioning confuse lithops and make them think it’s a different season ? I got 6 bare root Līthops 2 weeks ago. I washed and trimmed the roots . Then dried in front of a fan for 24 hours and potted into pure pumice . They look wrinkly now and the slit in the middle of most of them is starting to gape open . Have I confused them ? Killed them ? Should I use a rooting solution? I feel I made a mistake trimming the roots because now the plant doesn’t have enough roots to sustain it . Maybe it’s shedding its leaves because it’s using all its energy to build new roots . Can anyone here answer my questions? I know Ashley doesn’t feel so great most of the time and I don’t see her reply to many questions. I don’t blame her . 😊

[@GemmaMmm]

my lithrop from seed are about a year old, well only one of the 20 survived. It looks like it's spliting, but it looks like one circular leave, and it's spliting and making a new leave along the "stem". I know originally my seeds didn't have enough sun - is it possible it only made one leave? and hopefuly when the new leaves grow i'll have the two with the split in the middle. Or is there another plant that's similar and circular not like a lithrop....?

[@ecarteringram]

Are you near McCall?

[@rebeccabush9391]

why do you say same thing over and over and over?

[@ibig9361]

Respectfully . This is way too long for most people to listen to for a simple answer . I had to listen at 2x . Also. A plant shouldn’t be compared to a mammal.