Question for #greggers successfully growing Split Rocks ...
I've mastered almost every variety of soft succulents but these ones I'm fairly new to.
I'm debating growing these guys outside on my deck OR inside under growlights....
Given that my Southern California climate is decent enough for these species I can do either.
I purchased them at a nursery where they were kept outside in part shade.
They looked very healthy so I put 'em on my outside deck in similar conditions.
I'd like to repot them in better soil & a taller pot before they split /bloom & also to give more room for the tap roots but they are currently dormant in the summer high temps.
Right now it's in the high 90's in Los Angeles! ๐ฅต
Should I wait a few weeks without watering and repot in October when temps are lower or should I move them inside under grow lights and repot in a week or so
Also, for those that grow under professional LED lights do you know the PPFD (ฮผmol/m2/s) that split rocks and or Lithops prefer?
Thanks!
#splitrock #lithops #lithopsarmy #succulentsquad #succulentlove #plantaddict #greggang #gregteam #socalgreg #outdoorgrowing #growlights
I'm debating growing these guys outside on my deck OR inside under growlights....
Given that my Southern California climate is decent enough for these species I can do either.
I purchased them at a nursery where they were kept outside in part shade.
They looked very healthy so I put 'em on my outside deck in similar conditions.
I'd like to repot them in better soil & a taller pot before they split /bloom & also to give more room for the tap roots but they are currently dormant in the summer high temps.
Right now it's in the high 90's in Los Angeles! ๐ฅต
Should I wait a few weeks without watering and repot in October when temps are lower or should I move them inside under grow lights and repot in a week or so
Also, for those that grow under professional LED lights do you know the PPFD (ฮผmol/m2/s) that split rocks and or Lithops prefer?
Thanks!
#splitrock #lithops #lithopsarmy #succulentsquad #succulentlove #plantaddict #greggang #gregteam #socalgreg #outdoorgrowing #growlights
6ft to light, direct
3โ pot with drainage
Last watered 2 days ago
7
Lithops can be very tricky to keep healthy. You can grow lithops outside in a succulent garden if you live in USDA zone 10 or 11. If outdoor temperatures donโt dip below 55ยฐF (12ยฐC), you can grow living stone plants and rock succulents throughout winter. However, in zones 9 and below, lithops grow best indoors. Personally, I wouldnโt keep them outdoors. They generally thrive at temps from 55F-80F. They are so temperamental, I would be wary of keepjng them outdoors. They do need at least 6 hours of direct sun so a south-facing window is your best option or under grow lights.
Iโm not sure what you mean by a taller pot, but I wouldnโt use anything taller than 3โ-5โ. Their roots are long for their size, but 5โ should be more than sufficient. It might not drain quickly enough, however, to avoid root rot. I personally would definitely stick to a shorter pot for such small plants. Generally their new pot shouldnโt be much larger than the plastic pots theyโre currently in. A 3โ pot would be the biggest Iโd use or a 5โ pot if youโre planting them together. The pots theyโre in seem the perfect size for them. They grow very slowly so they wonโt need any further repotting for a very long time.
For soil I use succulent/cactus soil mixed about 1:1 with grit. You can use perlite or other material to ensure that the soil is extremely well-draining.
During their active growth phase, Lithops require blue light (400-500 nm) to encourage leaf development and red light (620-740 nm) is crucial during the flowering stage. A peak at 660 nm, or about 11.27 PPDF, is particularly effective for photosynthesis.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Iโm not sure what you mean by a taller pot, but I wouldnโt use anything taller than 3โ-5โ. Their roots are long for their size, but 5โ should be more than sufficient. It might not drain quickly enough, however, to avoid root rot. I personally would definitely stick to a shorter pot for such small plants. Generally their new pot shouldnโt be much larger than the plastic pots theyโre currently in. A 3โ pot would be the biggest Iโd use or a 5โ pot if youโre planting them together. The pots theyโre in seem the perfect size for them. They grow very slowly so they wonโt need any further repotting for a very long time.
For soil I use succulent/cactus soil mixed about 1:1 with grit. You can use perlite or other material to ensure that the soil is extremely well-draining.
During their active growth phase, Lithops require blue light (400-500 nm) to encourage leaf development and red light (620-740 nm) is crucial during the flowering stage. A peak at 660 nm, or about 11.27 PPDF, is particularly effective for photosynthesis.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Yes, lithops or living rocks are tricky, not a typical succulent. Nelly' type (on the left, I managed in killing it twice in the DC area, figured the humidity was the cause).
The one on the right is easier to manage, been growing for more than 10 years now. The water for both is a key.
I noticed the plant is fine in 90 to 100 degrees weather, even in the sun. But it's the temperature difference that set the blooming.
Reporting if you decide: it has to be close to a pure sand type of mix (perlite more for roots to spread, check YouTube) with lots of holes at the bottom of the pot. The "neck" is also very critical, not to overlook, pot the plant at the same level as it was before. If one half rots, the other half is possible to save by cutting down the watering (some add cinnamon or honey to control the mold).
I'm my first yeah, I literally used the pipette as not to over water, after I dropped the pipette, watered once every one to two months, by seeing 'smiley face'.
if the plant is drying out/shrinking, signs of under watering.
The one on the right is easier to manage, been growing for more than 10 years now. The water for both is a key.
I noticed the plant is fine in 90 to 100 degrees weather, even in the sun. But it's the temperature difference that set the blooming.
Reporting if you decide: it has to be close to a pure sand type of mix (perlite more for roots to spread, check YouTube) with lots of holes at the bottom of the pot. The "neck" is also very critical, not to overlook, pot the plant at the same level as it was before. If one half rots, the other half is possible to save by cutting down the watering (some add cinnamon or honey to control the mold).
I'm my first yeah, I literally used the pipette as not to over water, after I dropped the pipette, watered once every one to two months, by seeing 'smiley face'.
if the plant is drying out/shrinking, signs of under watering.
@TruthfulApricot thanks for your notes, Mary! ๐
I'm in zone 10b so I know I can grow them outside I just don't want to repot them while they're Dormant in the summer heat but I also don't want to wait too long to repot them incase they start a different growth cycle before I get a chance to acclimate them to a new pot.
I'm not going too big of a pot I'm planning on a cylinder pot that's 2.75" wide and 4" deep.
From my research they have long roots and anything shorter than 3.5โ will impede root growth but the pot still needs to be narrow.
I make my own soil so I plan on using only 20% organic matter (coco coir) and 80% mixed lava rock, pumice, and zeolite.
I'm not sure what you mean by 11.27 for PPFD?
Generally most succulents need an artificial light source ranging between PPFD between 250 to 1000 umol/m2/s with a lighting period of 12 to 14 hours daily (depends on elevation, location etc).
I use between 300โ400 PPFD ฮผmol/m2/s with full spectrum led strips. One of the three strips is a pinkish white for extra blue/red so I got the correct PAR covered ๐ :)
However, one thing I can't find in my research is accurate PPFD levels or notes on the light intensity limits in general.
I'm wondering if split rocks and lithops are on the lower end of the PPFD range and my LED lights are too intense?
I love to grow compact and colorful Echeveria and Pachyphytum inside so my indoor lights are quite strong.
Perhaps the best thing to do would be for me to make an educated guess based on the amount of info I have and if something goes horrible wrong I can just buy new Split Rocks and lithops. ๐ ๐คท๐ฝโโ๏ธ
I'm in zone 10b so I know I can grow them outside I just don't want to repot them while they're Dormant in the summer heat but I also don't want to wait too long to repot them incase they start a different growth cycle before I get a chance to acclimate them to a new pot.
I'm not going too big of a pot I'm planning on a cylinder pot that's 2.75" wide and 4" deep.
From my research they have long roots and anything shorter than 3.5โ will impede root growth but the pot still needs to be narrow.
I make my own soil so I plan on using only 20% organic matter (coco coir) and 80% mixed lava rock, pumice, and zeolite.
I'm not sure what you mean by 11.27 for PPFD?
Generally most succulents need an artificial light source ranging between PPFD between 250 to 1000 umol/m2/s with a lighting period of 12 to 14 hours daily (depends on elevation, location etc).
I use between 300โ400 PPFD ฮผmol/m2/s with full spectrum led strips. One of the three strips is a pinkish white for extra blue/red so I got the correct PAR covered ๐ :)
However, one thing I can't find in my research is accurate PPFD levels or notes on the light intensity limits in general.
I'm wondering if split rocks and lithops are on the lower end of the PPFD range and my LED lights are too intense?
I love to grow compact and colorful Echeveria and Pachyphytum inside so my indoor lights are quite strong.
Perhaps the best thing to do would be for me to make an educated guess based on the amount of info I have and if something goes horrible wrong I can just buy new Split Rocks and lithops. ๐ ๐คท๐ฝโโ๏ธ
@roxyvivien
It's been over a year since my Lithops arrived. I'm 42ยฐN 73ยฐW.
I've lost about 15, but the other 40 are doing great. I just wanted to say that the logic in your
post is amazing. It's fine to educate ourselves about our plants. However, we must trust our own instincts. You're got this. Happy Lithops to you.
It's been over a year since my Lithops arrived. I'm 42ยฐN 73ยฐW.
I've lost about 15, but the other 40 are doing great. I just wanted to say that the logic in your
post is amazing. It's fine to educate ourselves about our plants. However, we must trust our own instincts. You're got this. Happy Lithops to you.
@plantstate Thanks, Christine - I needed to hear that! ๐
The temps have dropped to high 70's today so I'm thinking of repotting them this weekend and trying my best to grow them outside. (my inside grow shelves are pretty full right now... ๐ฏ #plantaddict ๐ ).
You're in Massachusetts, right?
Do you move yours inside when the cold/rainy season starts?
I know LA is moderate all year round but our chilly rainy season is often too much for the picky succs like some Echeveria. I've defined lost some of those outside from crown rot and/or fungal infections so I move them under my awning and move other picky ones to my garage and put them under grow lights.
I wonder how the lithops /split rock will react to a move to my garage over the winter?.. Thoughts?
The temps have dropped to high 70's today so I'm thinking of repotting them this weekend and trying my best to grow them outside. (my inside grow shelves are pretty full right now... ๐ฏ #plantaddict ๐ ).
You're in Massachusetts, right?
Do you move yours inside when the cold/rainy season starts?
I know LA is moderate all year round but our chilly rainy season is often too much for the picky succs like some Echeveria. I've defined lost some of those outside from crown rot and/or fungal infections so I move them under my awning and move other picky ones to my garage and put them under grow lights.
I wonder how the lithops /split rock will react to a move to my garage over the winter?.. Thoughts?
@roxyvivien
I wait until the low 40'sF night temps. My logic is they need that cold. They are from Africa and golly, it gets really cold at night there. When I bring them in, I place them in the coolest room in the house (which happens to be a bedrroom). I place them under a grow light. I swear I may have watered them last winter, but that was after like 3 months. I'm off to run an errand. I'll snap a photo of their container and send it to you when I return.
I wait until the low 40'sF night temps. My logic is they need that cold. They are from Africa and golly, it gets really cold at night there. When I bring them in, I place them in the coolest room in the house (which happens to be a bedrroom). I place them under a grow light. I swear I may have watered them last winter, but that was after like 3 months. I'm off to run an errand. I'll snap a photo of their container and send it to you when I return.
@roxyvivien
Just remembered to share the photo of my lithops with you. I have 3 or 4 smaller pots with lithops to add to this living rocks garden. These have been with me for over a year.
Just remembered to share the photo of my lithops with you. I have 3 or 4 smaller pots with lithops to add to this living rocks garden. These have been with me for over a year.
