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While I am really partial to the plants in Brazil (mostly for their… | The Cactus & Succulent Circle | Planta community

Dave_opuntiaface

While I am really partial to the plants in Brazil (mostly for their color and ability to withstand harsh sun), I am back on my South Africa obsession. One generalization as to why I like them is that they respond similarly whether in real or fake light. The romantic arty explanation I think up is that they are essentially eyes with no other senses and a singular goal of “get light.” Another reason is that the Haworthia bloom their enormous flowers during North American winters. It’s something to look at while the Mammillaria snooze 😴 These are just my observations, as I frequently read, “Lithops do not like to be moved.” Well, I moved some from the sun to a grow light and they opened up the next day. And it happened a couple other times. And with my Split Stones, same deal. Seeing pics of them in their horrible habitat gave me some confidence in their ability to adapt. Check out the growth on my Euphorbia ferox! That was two little bunches that should soon move to a bigger pot.

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16 comments

  1. Mullein

    Lovely collection, as always. You’ve got so many more succulents and cactuses than I have. I’d say I know a lot about foliage tropicals, but it feels like I’m starting from plant knowledge scratch when I read your posts 😂 Wow that ferox sure is something else! Looks kinda sci-if in the coolest way

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    • Mullein

      Well darn, you might convert me!! 😂 I’m glad I finally got a lithop for myself. Such a modest little gem. I might as well ask since I have your ear, do the colors on lithops come out in strong lighting or are they from different species? I’ve seen colorful ones online, but not in person. Mine is a blueish grey, but the new one peaking through the split has a bit of a reddish blush so far

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    • Dave_opuntiaface

      So far, I’m thinking per species. Day one with my first set, I placed them in the sun for a few hours. I brought them in later and noticed I forgot to clean off a drop of water, and one was scarred. That was panic number one haha. I inadvertently “stressed” some of these.

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    • Dave_opuntiaface
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    • Dave_opuntiaface

      And the red seems agnostic of light stress. I think people use potions to get bright colors ha.

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    • Mullein

      That would make sense. The other day I forgot to cover my lithop while I was spray treating the tropicals. I was worried it would freak out and die on me, but I dried it off and it was okay. Sensitive but not that fragile thankfully

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  2. Women are Water

    The pink spines are amazing. Is that because of the light.

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    • Dave_opuntiaface

      There is a tiny bit of pink that looks really pink right there, yeah. I was using a blue bulb ha.

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  3. Anne Marie

    Lovely collection!

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    • Dave_opuntiaface

      Thanks so much. What happened initially was having one cactus, which eventually made me wander down the succulent aisle at Home Depot. It was and continues to be holy cow, this exists?! Where was this every time I said I was bored? These weeds found a good sucker to take care of them :)

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  4. Sunny

    Very cool! I have one split stone I got as a bonus when buying other online succulents. It felt fake like painted styrofoam. I put it in with my succulents props and it’s still alive 4 months later! That’s my goal…signs of life!😂

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    • Dave_opuntiaface

      Hahaha that’s awesome. I remember doing the same thing when I got a Gasteria “Little Warty.” It felt so fake to the touch. Coincidentally, I had the same feeling last night when I got this Bishop’s Cap. I was at a supermarket in the middle of nowhere and refused to believe something this exotic was alive and in a shark pot on display where I buy frozen waffles.

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    • Sunny

      It’s a treasure in no man’s land living his best life in a shark pot! Shark pot!🤣 You have to buy something that precious just for the benefit of telling the back story at parties!😁

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  5. Succulent sage

    I love the setup

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    • Dave_opuntiaface

      Thank you!

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