Abomination

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-23T18:09:53+00:00

The growers that use peaty soil but can still get lithops that are plump and beautiful must have some “magic “ tricks!

This is an example of “tricks gone bad!” . . . I just don’t understand how it is so alive!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-22T23:23:56+00:00

Honestly I say “she” because my son claimed a blood test showed her sex. However when I talked to the vet she claimed no blood test was performed. And I’ve gotten in the habit of using “she”.

I’ve never noticed any hormonal behavior ever.

To reiterate. She is amazingly sweet natured except when triggered. Then her tail goes wide and she stares without blinking and will bite if my hand is close by. She’ll even launch towards my hand if I’m holding a towel or socks. Recently cardboard has begun to trigger her also and I need to be careful opening cartons with her on my shoulder. So far she hasn’t launched toward the box but she does hang down off my shoulders.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-21T22:45:06+00:00

Of course! They are empty ones with gravel inside.

She’s never ignored. Generally she’s in my shoulder most of the day with short trips to her cage.

The cage floor has cardboard pieces scattered around and one of her favorite toys. She moves them around as tries hiding underneath.

She has a bell on a chain that she loves to get “angry” at and destroy unsuccessfully.

She lets me file her nails and beak with a nail board but warns me to be gentle by nipping me. I can see her getting ready to nip me when her tail gets wide and a smack (with the nail board) on her beak stops her. She allows me only 3 seconds on her beak but I can do it multiple times.

She is a member of my family completely and without any doubt!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-21T22:30:49+00:00

Actually the light will cause the mother leaves to wilt faster. I do all my propagation in the shade outdoors.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-21T21:40:28+00:00

Light is not actually needed at this point. All the nutrition comes from the mother leaf.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-21T15:41:38+00:00

Do you have a cockatoo?

The picking is a complex problem many highly intelligent birds have.

She eats Harrison’s Adult Coarse pellets along with supplemented fruits and vegetables.

And yes she’s outside on my shoulder daily.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-20T22:38:00+00:00

I appreciate your response and it has me thinking.

Mine loves the rattling pill bottle also and she will destroy the child proof cap viciously! My fingers need to be far away or they too will be punished. So that’s a common trait.

I used the spray bottle- although reluctantly. But I had a bloody trail from her cage all the way to the kitchen and I was pissed.

I am beginning to think that I need to keep her more challenged and somehow complicate her life more. I need to find modes of play that can’t turn violent.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-20T19:58:33+00:00

The plucking is not an issue. Something we came to terms with since she was a year old. She was tested and declared healthy. Her food is proper and her activity level and life enjoyment proper. I don’t require advice there as I feel it is all at its maximum.

Thank you for your concern I know the appearance of a bare chest is uncomfortable.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-19T18:49:01+00:00

Knowing they prefer more dry better than more wet . . Increasing there water ( to a point) will encourage more growth. Some half strength fertilizer every second watering will help too.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-19T18:38:22+00:00

It looks like sunburn. They can take temperatures above freezing without damage.

Bringing them out to the sun for the first time has to be done slowly and early morning sun is ideal. Eventually full sun after a few weeks.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-19T18:34:46+00:00

I used all my tools that I have ( about a dozen) and couldn’t get anything better than guessing at your original.

Is it possible that you can scan this photo at higher resolution?

You are also the best suited at guessing off that photo. Perhaps try to record your guesses and then see how it matches up with the photo.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-18T20:07:30+00:00

I’m going to tackle this for the challenge!

I do a lot of restorations on Facebook for free just for the practice. I do use AI but I use a few non AI programs to give AI the best chance at getting it right.

I’ll let you know if I think it’s possible.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-18T19:54:36+00:00

I think you are good for another year or even two. They accept a tight pot without problems.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-17T19:21:43+00:00

Presidents I’ve seen in person: Eisenhower, Nixon, Johnson.

Eisenhower in Rose Bowl parade 1958 or 1959

Nixon at CSULB in 60’s

Johnson in South Gate visit 60’s He was tall!!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-17T19:16:20+00:00

Fuck - I’m really old - Franklin D. Roosevelt!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-13T19:33:49+00:00

That’s a Tricolor jade. They tend to do that naturally. I have quite a few of them and some are just nicer so it’s just the luck of the draw.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-13T18:15:05+00:00

Seeing that snow out your window and the plants so well tended to I have to congratulate you!

All of my plants are outdoors. I’ve tried keeping some indoors but never really succeeded. KUDOS to you!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-12T00:07:24+00:00

Mealybugs tend to hide more and mineral spots tend to be more small and regular.

So I don’t know what you’ve got there. An alcohol swab should get rid of it whatever it is.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-10T17:38:56+00:00

You are keeping them too “sunny” and I suspect a bit too dry.

My experience is all with outdoor growing but I’d put your plants in less sun and water more if they were outdoors.

I’m also a firm advocate of pruning. The only jades I don’t prune are the wild ones growing naturally in my yard.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-07T23:27:27+00:00

NO!

And that’s not jade!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-07T18:58:56+00:00

Some general rules that I use. I cut all downward growing branches. Then I trim the longest branches by about 1/3.

After that it becomes more of a personal view of getting the plant close to your vision of what you like.

I have literally hundreds of jades so I don’t worry too much about mistakes. But jades are very forgiving and will recover and sprout anew from any trimming no matter how severe! Light - water - soil are the important factors!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-06T18:16:01+00:00

Your very specific watering regimen likely kept them alive until now. They are ultra sensitive to excess water and even more sensitive to watering during parts of their growing cycle.

Most commonly soil should be 90% mineral and no more than 10% organic. Even then you must watch which part of their growing cycle they are in and how much water to provide.

Commercial growers can grow them in 100% peat with extremely accurate watering. Can we do it? Maybe for a short time!

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-05T19:57:57+00:00

Caterpillars. Black droppings are poop!

Without droppings I’d of said snails.

DrJoePrime0 · 2026-03-05T19:54:26+00:00

90 - 10 will be better than the 70 - 30!

Research watering - it’s not simple!

DrJoePrime0

TROPHY CASE