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LITHOPS
| Popularly called "Living
Stones", Lithops are some of the world's most
fascinating plants! Since their discovery by John
Burchell in 1811 when "on picking up from the stony
ground what was supposed a curiously shaped pebble, it
proved to be a plant", Lithops have been avidly
sought by the collector of succulent plants. Resembling
the pebbles and stones among which they grow in their
African habitat, they have become favorites of the
collector of strange and unusual plants. Their subtle
colors of gray, brown, rust, green and pink, combined
with their fantastically intricate markings, make them
most desirable additions to any plant collection. Being small plants, a representative collection can be grown on a small table in the patio, on a sunny windowsill, on a shelf in the greenhouse, or under lights, as many apartment dwellers are now doing. After flowering in the fall and extending through winter, when the new 'bodies' are forming within the old leaves, the latter become soft and flaccid and begin to shrivel. Some may split on the sides from the pressure of the new body inside, and often there will be dry or 'dead' spots on the old leaves at this stage. This is perfectly normal. Eventually the old leaves dry up, leaving the plant with a perfect set of new ones. LITHOPS in cultivation should be given a dry rest in winter when the new growth is drawing moisture from the old leaves. At this time, give very light watering, just enough to keep the root hairs alive. As the old leaves dry up in the spring, water is given until the long, hot summer days bring the growing period to a standstill. During this time only regular light watering is required to prevent the plants from shriveling and the soil from going bone dry. As flower buds appear in late summer and fall, another watering period begins, tapering off after flowering for the winter. Those growing plants under lights will probably need to water some during the winter when the plants show signs of shriveling. Nomenclature of all Lithops in this catalog is based (mostly) on the book 'Lithops-Flowering Stones' by D. T. Cole. After the species listed, you will find (Y) or (W) in parentheses indicating a Yellow or White flowering species; the flower color being the same for its varieties unless otherwise noted. Names listed between brackets are Lithops which have had varietal status in the past due to peculiar markings or coloration but have since been reduced to synonomy. However, these special features do exist and are sought after by Lithops collectors. We select these plants for the desired coloration and markings; e.g. the very dark open-windowed [Maraisii], form of Lithops lesliei v. venteri. Raised from seeds, most of our Lithops are 2 years or older, many are 3-4 and are flowering size. In the publication New Growing the Mesembs by Ed Storms there are twelve pages of full color photos of individual Lithops species. These photos are an excellent reference when deciding which Lithops species to try. (Go to Books for ordering information.) |
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Lithops Collections We offer 10 different collections, #1, #2, #3, etc. Each collection contains 10 different adult Lithops, correctly labeled, and at the collection price (saving $5.00) $30.00 Living Stones Lithops Collection 100 different plants at a substantial savings over the individual plant price. Dive headlong into this collectable group of plants. $275.00 |
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Lithops clumps now available; see bottom of page. |
SPECIAL LITHOPS
Lithops clusters: Get a head start on a
specimen with a multi-headed plant.
The supply of clumps is limited; please list substitutes.
| Species | Number of heads | Price |
| L. bromfeldii var. insularis | 6-8 | $10.00 |
| L. bromfeldii var. insularis cv. Sulphurea | 5 | $10.00 |
| 28 | $47.50 | |
| L. bromfeldii var. menellii | 7 | $10.00 |
| 9-12 | $15.00 | |
| L. dinteri cv. Dintergreen | 6 | $15.00 |
| 11 | $25.00 | |
| L. dinteri var. Frederici | 8-9 | $12.50 |
| 14 | $17.50 | |
| L. dorotheae | 6 | $7.50 |
| L. fulviceps var. aurea | 4 | $10.00 |
| 8 | $15.00 | |
| L. fulviceps var. lactinea | 5 | $7.50 |
| L. geyeri (hillii) | 12 | $17.50 |
| 13 | $17.50 | |
| 16 | $22.50 | |
| L. helmutii | 4 | $7.50 |
| L. julii | 6 | $7.50 |
| L. julii (littlewoodii) | 4 | $7.50 |
| L. lesliei cv. Albinica | 4-5 | $10.00 |
| 7-8 | $15.00 | |
| L. lesliei var. burchellii | 7 | $10.00 |
| L. lesliei (Pietersburg form) | 6 | $7.50 |
| L. marmorata (umdausensis) | 4 | $7.50 |
| 7 | $10.00 | |
| L. olivacea | 4-5 | $7.50 |
| 6-8 | $10.00 | |
| 28 | $47.50 | |
| L. otzeniana | 5 | $7.50 |
| 6-8 | $10.00 | |
| L. salicola | 5 | $7.50 |
| 24 | $47.50 | |
| L. salicola (maculate form) | 4 | $7.50 |
| 6-8 | $10.00 | |
| L. ternicolor (localis) | 4 | $7.50 |
| L. villietii var. deboeri | 4 | $7.50 |
| 6 | $10.00 |