BCSS - Forum

I have had this Haworthia mirabilis v.paradoxa since 2016.
It seems to have done nothing since then and has stayed at 3cms in diameter.
Is it a just a really slow grower or does it just take a long time to establish itself?
Any information gladly received.

Check its roots! Haworthias have a habit of occasionally losing their roots if cultivation conditions are not optimal, and then re-growing them again. During this period the plant firstly loses its ability to grow (no roots), and then expends all its energy on re-growing roots rather than growing above ground. Overall the plant may look as if it is doing nothing at all. It would be worth checking the condition of the roots. To me, the plant looks like it is in too large a pot - depending upon the compost this may have led to too much dampness leading to root rot. If it has poor roots then it might benefit from a smaller pot, and if there are no roots then it needs to be treated like a cutting.

When I potted into this pot earlier this year the roots were fine,no dampness or rot.
Should I pot into a much smaller pot do you think?

Mine is doing pretty much the same as yours, just sitting and sulking, and only growing very slowly.

We saw paradoxa growing in little pockets of humus on 'limestone' outcrops

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:30 am Mine is doing pretty much the same as yours, just sitting and sulking, and only growing very slowly.

Hi Ralph.
It was actually you I bought the plant from back in 2016 when I decided to have more unusual or uncommon plants.
The other plants I had at the same time have all grown well,just this one is a bit slow,maybe just needs more time to flourish!

I guessed so! It's probably no consolation, but mine has done very little either. I'm wondering if some limestone might perk it up - I put some chicken grit round one or two other Haworthias that were not thriving, and they have since done better. I'll give it a go. If you do find a solution, I'd be glad to hear it too!

Tony

are there any other haworthias you associate with limestone?

Thanks!

Ralph

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:43 pm I guessed so! It's probably no consolation, but mine has done very little either. I'm wondering if some limestone might perk it up - I put some chicken grit round one or two other Haworthias that were not thriving, and they have since done better. I'll give it a go. If you do find a solution, I'd be glad to hear it too!

I have now put some oyster shell round the Haworthia,sets it off nicely.
Shall see if it helps with growth etc.

After 2 months with the oyster shell top dressing though no growth I am sure it looks better!