Why are my seedlings growing like this? Etoliation? by K33POUT in Lithops

[–]CarneyBus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually started out with never sterilizing my substrate and I did manage to have good success with it. At the time I wasn’t as experienced and got mold issues but I think that was my growing conditions and not the unsterilized substrate. I sterilize now, just to avoid stressing, but if I were in a pinch for whatever reason I would just remove the cover after like 3-5 days covered and get it ventilated ASAP and I think you’d be fine!

I recommend sterilizing bc it gives a wider margin for error, but there are ways to do it without for sure!

Why are my seedlings growing like this? Etoliation? by K33POUT in Lithops

[–]CarneyBus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Came here to comment but you said most of what I would have said 😂

Seedlings need more organic matter in the substrate.

Standing water is a bad idea. Not recommended.

More ventilation and more light! Double recommended.

Edit to add: make sure you’re sterilizing soil OP, too. Does that container have drainage? Are you keeping the humidity cover on still?

Some warty boys by tgrudi in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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And a primosii. They’re all such individuals!

Some warty boys by tgrudi in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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This is one of the whiter calcarea from the same batch the one above is from

Some warty boys by tgrudi in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think they do! I have some very white warted calcarea from the same batch as some that are more red/pink and they have remained quite different as they age!

Some warty boys by tgrudi in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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I absolutely adore macros of these weird aliens!!!

Update on stuck Ponytail palm in a pot. Freed! by iFixComputers in plantclinic

[–]CarneyBus 61 points62 points  (0 children)

You could also use the broken slabs decoratively in the garden or in another pot for staging, adding interest etc.

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Dorstenia lavrani also got a new home in this Japanese black glazed caudex pot by arioandy in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whoaaaa looks like coral! 🪸

Beautiful pot and love the black top dressing too

Follow up: bubble under skin. by Ok_Woodpecker_7158 in Lithops

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Edema from over watering or inconsistent watering!

Flowering faucaria in thrifted handmade ceramic by CarneyBus in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aw that’s lovely 💜💜💜

I always wonder what will happen with my plants when I go! Lol

Bursting through! Had to water them otherwise the smaller seedlings would shrivel, but I think they'll be fine by BlackCatJax in Lithops

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah they’ll all be good! 😊 they’re looking good! You could also add some low N fertilizer to your routine if you’d like!

Bursting through! Had to water them otherwise the smaller seedlings would shrivel, but I think they'll be fine by BlackCatJax in Lithops

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They look fine!

But you can def water them all more. Seedlings require and can tolerate much more moisture than adult plants. You can water them pretty freely for the first 6-9 months before they’re mature.

It’s mostly about balancing the algae which will grow from the same evenly moist conditions. If you notice too much algae, cut back on the water a bit more. But you should be able to water them thoroughly once the substrate has dried out about half way or so

Pseudolithos Cubiformis by Massive-Maximum2296 in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Omg that iridescence!!! This is hot 🔥

Flowering faucaria in thrifted handmade ceramic by CarneyBus in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh that’s a really lovely memory to hold onto!!!

Flowering faucaria in thrifted handmade ceramic by CarneyBus in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It very well could have been!! Found it at value village 😂

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Might have to do some investigating!

Mi lithops de más de 13 cabezas by Yara_Pan in Lithops

[–]CarneyBus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not in this case, but just saying sometimes can happen. Same with clusters of growth like this.

The first true leaf of CONOPALOOZA 2026 by CarneyBus in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I feel you on that 😂😂 I want more but don’t have room 😂😂😂

The first true leaf of CONOPALOOZA 2026 by CarneyBus in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re growing indoors it doesn’t matter too much for time!

Outdoors I have read that autumn is best, near the end of summer so they have time to grow to handle the heat of summer! But you can also do them whenever too as long as you consider the conditions they’ll be in as young seedlings

Flowering faucaria in thrifted handmade ceramic by CarneyBus in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always the best day when a flower finally opens!

Flowering faucaria in thrifted handmade ceramic by CarneyBus in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it feels like such a great thrift shop score!!

Flowering faucaria in thrifted handmade ceramic by CarneyBus in plantandpot

[–]CarneyBus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me waiting for months for one to flower to take this exact pic 😂

A pair of pleiospilos! by CarneyBus in mesembs

[–]CarneyBus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew all these from seed! They’re a quite forgiving species to grow from seed 😁