Am I right in assuming that .....

[el48tel]

............... these will turn into seed pods?

If so ... how long will it take?
How will I know?

[Aiko]

You are right. It could take a few months. Probably by next summer. You can tell when they are ripe if the pods look completely dried out, and will open up once they get wet.

[el48tel]

You are right. It could take a few months. Probably by next summer. You can tell when they are ripe if the pods look completely dried out, and will open up once they get wet.

Thanks Aiko
My Lithops flowered very very late .... and pretty much all at once, unlike last year when they flowered over many weeks. I'm a compulsive hybrid seeker but mainly cactus because I struggle with succulents. They don't do well for me. I kill seedlings.
I waggled the paintbrush over all of the flowers knowing that I had nothing to lose. To see possible seed capsules on many of the plants is most satisfying for two reasons. The first is possible FREE seed. The second is the chance to photograph the development of the capsules.

[esp]

I find mesembs often don't germinate if sown from freshly ripened capsules - the seeds need a few months of further ripening before they will germinate well. Not sure if this applies to Lithops.
Perhaps this is to prevent germination during atypical dry-season precipitation?

[el48tel]

I find mesembs often don't germinate if sown from freshly ripened capsules - the seeds need a few months of further ripening before they will germinate well. Not sure if this applies to Lithops.
Perhaps this is to prevent germination during atypical dry-season precipitation?

Thanks esp
Based on what I read, I would assume that capsules would ripen late 2022, and the seeds would be best sown early 2023.
Nevertheless, I might risk sowing some earlier, once they ripen, and grow under lights and over heat of 15C during the winter 2022/23 just as an experiment. Nothing to lose.

[rthr]

These fruits will be ripe enough to harvest by May/June 2022 and you can sow the seeds right away. As Aiko says, the dry woody capsules are ripe if they open when wet. If you do sow such fresh lithops seed - and lithops often appreciate summer sowings - you may well find germination is staggered, with several flushes over the first year.

Catherine

[el48tel]

These fruits will be ripe enough to harvest by May/June 2022 and you can sow the seeds right away. As Aiko says, the dry woody capsules are ripe if they open when wet. If you do sow such fresh lithops seed - and lithops often appreciate summer sowings - you may well find germination is staggered, with several flushes over the first year.

Catherine

Thanks Catherine
That's Better and better news ...... and since I am such a cack-handed succulents sower .... my daughter who is a dab hand .... has offered to grow them.

[rthr]

Well those capsules should contain enough seeds for a fair few attempts at success. Good luck with them.

[el48tel]

Well those capsules should contain enough seeds for a fair few attempts at success. Good luck with them.

There's a family challenge. I may give some to my daughter .... yes .... but ..... I will need to up my game too.