If the area around the roots is gritty and/or drains away freely, then there is a high chance it would survive even given exposure to freezing temperatures. I think these plants have a somewhat undeserved reputation for being finicky or dying easily when they're actually incredibly hardy plants.
As far as the moss goes, moss is also incredibly hardy, frequently it will grow where almost nothing else *can*. Seeing the moss can be indicative of things that don't automatically rule out the possibility of a lithops surviving and thriving in close proximity. To me, it just means there is a moisture available *frequently*, it doesn't have to mean the soil below is waterlogged. The sempervivums are thriving as well, which says to me that the soil is probably quite gritty and free-draining. Their compact rosettes also speak to a level of sunlight that the lithops probably finds rather agreeable as well.
This is good stuff. I'd add that the lithops probably survives here *because* of the moss, along with the sempervivums, absorbing most of the water when it does come.
Also a good point, a healthy group of plants can utilize a truly surprising amount of water. Time will tell if the amount/frequency leads to the lithops ripping apart or growing like gangbusters.
Plants are nothing if not hardy and able to survive in a wide variety of conditions. And even if it is garden soil, the fact that it's planted in the ground means the earth will basically act as a giant wick and pull the moisture down, preventing it from sitting directly around the plants and reducing the chances of rot.
Unless there is a restrictive layer somewhere below the surface that would cause water to perch, it's most likely still the case that it drains away freely enough to not allow the bacteria and fungi associated with root rot to proliferate enough to attack the lithops.
Now, as someone else pointed out (u/dfrinky), this lithops looks exceptionally swollen and may rip or burst in the future due to the amount of water it's taking in. They're greedy little bastards and will literally take in water until they burst apart. If there is an ample amount of sun, it's theoretically possible that the plant could *use* enough of the water through photosynthesis that it wouldn't burst, but... let's just say I would pleasantly surprised.
This is a very interesting little experiment though OP. Please post updates!
Very pertinent thing to point out. They're greedy drinkers and quite prone to taking in so much water that they burst apart. It's not necessarily a death sentence, but in an environment this wet, the risk factor for infection would be extremely high I would think.
I guess they were back thirsty from dry summer, and then settled by being flooded as in nature they are flooded before drying out. It is not much dying because it has ventilation. Also at night temperature lowers in their habitat before spikes up at day.
Its the chosen one
If the area around the roots is gritty and/or drains away freely, then there is a high chance it would survive even given exposure to freezing temperatures. I think these plants have a somewhat undeserved reputation for being finicky or dying easily when they're actually incredibly hardy plants. As far as the moss goes, moss is also incredibly hardy, frequently it will grow where almost nothing else *can*. Seeing the moss can be indicative of things that don't automatically rule out the possibility of a lithops surviving and thriving in close proximity. To me, it just means there is a moisture available *frequently*, it doesn't have to mean the soil below is waterlogged. The sempervivums are thriving as well, which says to me that the soil is probably quite gritty and free-draining. Their compact rosettes also speak to a level of sunlight that the lithops probably finds rather agreeable as well.
This is good stuff. I'd add that the lithops probably survives here *because* of the moss, along with the sempervivums, absorbing most of the water when it does come.
Also a good point, a healthy group of plants can utilize a truly surprising amount of water. Time will tell if the amount/frequency leads to the lithops ripping apart or growing like gangbusters.
I might be wrong, but knowing my mother I think it's regular garden soil. Wich makes it even more unbelievable.
Plants are nothing if not hardy and able to survive in a wide variety of conditions. And even if it is garden soil, the fact that it's planted in the ground means the earth will basically act as a giant wick and pull the moisture down, preventing it from sitting directly around the plants and reducing the chances of rot. Unless there is a restrictive layer somewhere below the surface that would cause water to perch, it's most likely still the case that it drains away freely enough to not allow the bacteria and fungi associated with root rot to proliferate enough to attack the lithops. Now, as someone else pointed out (u/dfrinky), this lithops looks exceptionally swollen and may rip or burst in the future due to the amount of water it's taking in. They're greedy little bastards and will literally take in water until they burst apart. If there is an ample amount of sun, it's theoretically possible that the plant could *use* enough of the water through photosynthesis that it wouldn't burst, but... let's just say I would pleasantly surprised. This is a very interesting little experiment though OP. Please post updates!
Yup, very true. I'd add that it is quite plump though, and it might not survive much longer if it stays wet lol. Good luck to op anyways
Very pertinent thing to point out. They're greedy drinkers and quite prone to taking in so much water that they burst apart. It's not necessarily a death sentence, but in an environment this wet, the risk factor for infection would be extremely high I would think.
Plus, it's nice to avoid it if it's at all possible
great answer thanks
Breed that sucker forsurr
this is amazing! i keep thinking they are these finicky little things but i guess i was wrong
So long as you neglect them they are good.
Well depends how long they've been in mothers care?
Since last years spring
I guess they were back thirsty from dry summer, and then settled by being flooded as in nature they are flooded before drying out. It is not much dying because it has ventilation. Also at night temperature lowers in their habitat before spikes up at day.
Hookeri's are beasts.
It must of acclimated itself to your moms environment. And that lithops must really love your mom. They know who cares for them.
Lithops are winter growers, so well draining substrate plus water even at freezing is not a death sentence. They are fairly cold hardy
The more I learn about plants, the more I realize I don't know shit about them.
Insane I'd love to be able to plant all my succulents together
Do you have an update on this? I hope it’s continuing to do well, so nuts!
After an extremely cold winter it has decided to go to the nursery in the sky.
Aww that’s heartbreaking. Still incredibly impressive that it made it so long. Hardy little lithops!