Need identification and care advice

[baileysup]

Sweyn: I don't know about yours, because mine didn't have any mold on it. All of the leaves, except the two in the middle, were turning mushy on mine. When things turn mushy, they are rotten and could possibly spread to healthy parts of the plant. Therefore, I removed all the leaves that had mushy parts on them, in order to try and save the plant. I got lucky in the fact that the two leaves in the center had no rot, because if they did, the plant would have probably been a gonner. Is there any way you can post a pic of the plant? I think more people could help you if they could see exactly what kind of shape it's in.

[baileysup]

This is what's left of mine. It used to have two other sets of leaves (6 total). Big leaves. Now all that remains are the two small center ones. Here's a pic. See if you can post a pic of yours.

[purpleinopp]

No idea what to tell you. Another pic?

[baileysup]

Ha, never mind. My plant didn't make it. I found out today that it had rot through the center stem. So it's a gonner. At least I'll know better if I get another one . They really don't like water, and I guess they need so very little, that regular watering methods do not apply. I will try a spray bottle next time, and just mist the soil once a year with it.........LOL. Just kidding, but I will use a spray bottle, so as not to soak the soil as much.

[Sweyn]

Sweyn: I don't know about yours, because mine didn't have any mold on it. All of the leaves, except the two in the middle, were turning mushy on mine. When things turn mushy, they are rotten and could possibly spread to healthy parts of the plant. Therefore, I removed all the leaves that had mushy parts on them, in order to try and save the plant. I got lucky in the fact that the two leaves in the center had no rot, because if they did, the plant would have probably been a gonner. Is there any way you can post a pic of the plant? I think more people could help you if they could see exactly what kind of shape it's in.

There is no point. It is dead.

It has not been a complete loss. I have learnt a lot more about these plants so, thanks to everyone who replied with advice, in this thread.

[Sweyn]

I will try a spray bottle next time, and just mist the soil once a year with it.........LOL. Just kidding, but I will use a spray bottle, so as not to soak the soil as much.

You could. I was going to try applying water by dripping it. With a sprinkler head on a watering can, water can be made to drip slowly by tipping the can only very slightly. The amount of water applied can be strictly controlled with this method.

It should have the same effect as a very light spraying from a bottle.

[Kats Eye]

to late to help, but next time you try this plant, mix the soil half with sand. and the idea about the spray bottle is right on. let the water feed through it, and not sit in it. indirect sunlight also.

[Sweyn]

to late to help, but next time you try this plant, mix the soil half with sand. and the idea about the spray bottle is right on. let the water feed through it, and not sit in it. indirect sunlight also.

Thanks for this. I'll remember that if I get another.

[Gary350]

That is a succulents called a Rock Plant. I bought a tiny one at Lowe's for 99 cents it was in a 2" pot. I put it in a 10" pot 50/50 sand/potting soil in the shade in the yard. I watered it every day and 9 months later it was the size of a Basketball. I moved it to full sun and it died in 1 day.

[Sweyn]

That's interesting, Gary350. It was in a position where it received full sun, next to some cacti. I did not think of that. I'll remember that. Thanks.

[Shade]

That is definitely a Lithops or also called living stones plant.

[Sweyn]

That is definitely a Lithops or also called living stones plant.

Since starting this, I've seen Lithops and Pleiospilos next to each other, for sale in a garden centre. Both had labels and based on that, I think that my plant was a Pleiospilos.

[david90531]

Hi, got your message
Some new pictures of your plant may help to identify the exact problem. But sounds like it could be rot, and definitely caused by too much watering or moisture in the soil caused by soil that's not fast-draining enough.
From what you've described it sounds like the old leaves are still being absorbed, which means at this point your plant doesn't need ANY water at all. Only when the side leaves are completely shriveled and absorbed, then you can start watering it lightly again.

[david90531]

I got mine about 2 months ago, never watered it once till now because:


This is how it looked 2 weeks ago before flowering, one side of the old leaf is completely gone, but one side is still being absorbed and quite plump (a little bit mushy on the old leaves is normal, by the way). After flowering, the old leaves are pretty much gone by now, so soon I might start watering, until it starts to split again.

Hope this helped, good luck!

[Sweyn]

Thank you very much, David. Mine is dead now but, I'll write that down, in case I get another one.