What do we have here?

12 years ago

Is my Pleiospilos nelii really happy and producing a ton of new leaves or is it really happy and producing flowers? I haven't been watering it and it's in really porous medium. The old leaves are really spongy but the second older ones are still firm. I've read this is a good thing because the old ones need to be shed. I'm assuming it's producing new leaves AND a flower. I have no idea though.

~Erin~

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Comments (9)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
12 years ago
Erin,

I'll see you a set of new leaves and raise you a bud.
CorpsmanCooper
Original Author
12 years ago
REALLY! WOOT! This will be my first succulent/cacti bud! YAY! LOL

~Erin~
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CorpsmanCooper
Original Author
12 years ago
Ok another question then. Do they prefer cool weather to flower or warm weather? I'm torn as to whether or not I should bring it in as it's going in to the thirties this next week at night. Also, am I able to collect seeds from it once it's done flowering? If so how? Do I need a male and a female plant for it to produce seeds?? I am so fascinated by this plant! I can't wait to try my hand at lithops! Or maybe even a royal flush Pleiospilos nelii.

~Erin~
noki
12 years ago
Here is one from Lowe's during the summer, note the small imitation leaves around the flower stem...

You have had better luck than me... the right one went squishy dead the last week, just in a few days. The other one I have has six leaves, not sure what will happen to it...

Here is a Lithops I have that is having a flower... it started as pseudo new leaves that came out like an alien,... it is a flower hat, very weird!
CorpsmanCooper
Original Author
12 years ago
I read that these plants don't like hardly any water at all and IF you do water them it's best to do it in the fall and spring and not at all over summer and winter months. Especially don't water when they're growing. I also read that if it has more than 2 or 4 leaves it's getting too much water because when new leaves form it is supposed to reabsorb the oldest leaves. I could be completely wrong of course and the info I've read utter BS. However, it seems to have served me well so far. The only time I have water this plant was shortly after I bought it in September. I have not watered it since and it seems to be doing very well!

~Erin~
FinchLinden
12 years ago
The Pleiospilos nelii looks just like Fenestraria aurantiaca when it is starting to bud!

The page I looked at earlier said they're hardy to 32 F, so if it's going to get into the 30's, you'd probably be safest bringing it in, but keeping it someplace that is still cool.
Beachplants
12 years ago
You guys are having lots of fun the the pleiospilos I see. the first pic of noki, 3 Pleios in one pot is more or less how they should look. If you overwater you can get rot or too many leaves, they should have one set only with the old set being absorbed into the new set, thats why you top set is firm and older set soft, Erin, its being absorbed, so be careful over over watering, as they are using the moisture of the older set.
cactusjordi
12 years ago
Erin,
their flowers are monoecious, i.e. female and male parts are in the same flower. To get pure seeds you need 2 plants of this species for cross-pollination.

Jordi
CorpsmanCooper
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the good info Jordi and BeachPlants.

BeachPlants ~ I suspected that was the case. I haven't watered at all since about mid September. So, I guess I'm doing okay! It's been rough though! I've had to train myself and smack my hand every time I pick up the watering can!

Jordi ~ AWESOME! A good excuse to get another one! I may be running by the store after I drop my oldest off at daycare!

~Erin~