Lapidaria margaretae care tips

[MatDz]

I would not rule out Argyroderma.

Based on my brief research both Argyroderma and Lapidaria likes a tad more water than other mesembs, so I'll just do my best to not kill it and see what it is later this year.

Edit: Also, I see where the confusion might come from!

[Terry S.]

I wouldn't rule out Lapidaria, but an accurate ID is not possible at this point. You then have the problem in that you don't know whether it is a summer- or winter-growing species. With a young plant it probably does not matter much and my reaction would be to give it a bit of water right through the year until you can work out what it is and formulate better treatment.

Incidentally giving Argyroderma more than a small amount of water during its summer dormancy leads to splitting of the epidermis.

[MatDz]

I wouldn't rule out Lapidaria, but an accurate ID is not possible at this point. You then have the problem in that you don't know whether it is a summer- or winter-growing species. With a young plant it probably does not matter much and my reaction would be to give it a bit of water right through the year until you can work out what it is and formulate better treatment.

Incidentally giving Argyroderma more than a small amount of water during its summer dormancy leads to splitting of the epidermis.

Will definitely do as suggested and wait for some clearer ID on this little fella. Thank you!

[MatDz]

A couple of questions about (I hope) post-pollination care:

1. One of my L. were in flower about a week earlier than the other (is this normal?, they were next to each other on a shelf), hence as soon as the second flower opened a little I tried to cross-pollinate them both. Pollen was definitely there, as I saw it all over the brush and floating around, and the older flower (left) turned into what's on the photograph below about 24-36 hours after my mating efforts. Does it look like I successfully pollinated it?

2. Assuming my efforts were successful, what should I expect now and how long it should take until I can collect the seeds? How to tell they are ready?

A photograph from today:

Photograph from today

And a collage from 4 days ago:

Collage from 4 days ago

[Diane]

Probably not until next year, when the capsule develops, a bit like Lithops. If it does ripen into a woody capsule next year, that’s when you can collect the seeds, by wetting the capsule to make it open up.

[rthr]

Your plants are perfectly normal in the timing of their flowering Mat. You've more than likely been successful with your pollination attempts and as the flower dries up you'll be able to see the fleshy fruit swell over the next few weeks/months. As Diane says, seeds won't be ripe until the fruit has completely dried into a woody capsule that opens when wet. Don't expect to harvest these before next summer.

Catherine

[MatDz]

Thank you Diane and Catherine, looks like I have exciting and rather stressful times ahead! Might need to build a safety cage for the fruit or something, I knock off the plants way too often to consider it save for half a year wait time. I will keep it as dry as possible over winter, but as they're indoor, I guess I would need to give it a splash or two to keep the wrinkles in order.

I'll be back in half a year, unless something unexpected happens to my seedlings, but they look good so far,
touch the digital wood!

[Chris123]

Hi

I’ve recently acquired three small Lapidaria margaretae.
I’d love any experts to share any care advice, so my plants can thrive and have longevity!
Thank you in advance.

Here’s a pic of one that has some new leaves appearing.

I realise this is an old post but I have just obtained a young Lapidaria and am looking for advice. I was very taken with the gravel in your pot, lots of amethyst pieces and other quartz stones. Can I ask where you got this from? Hope the plants are continuing to thrive. Chris

[iann]

Hi

I’ve recently acquired three small Lapidaria margaretae.
I’d love any experts to share any care advice, so my plants can thrive and have longevity!
Thank you in advance.

Here’s a pic of one that has some new leaves appearing.

I realise this is an old post but I have just obtained a young Lapidaria and am looking for advice. I was very taken with the gravel in your pot, lots of amethyst pieces and other quartz stones. Can I ask where you got this from? Hope the plants are continuing to thrive. Chris

All seems fine for now. You could repot if that's something you want to do. Or perhaps just did? It will grow those new leaves over the next few months. Normally you might leave it dry well into spring and try to remove an old pair of leaves, but a little one like this you can water as soon as the weather gets hot.