I've been told the key to success is growing them from seeds because they are hardier than commercially grown to be sold. Also, knowing when to water. I, of course, have killed my first one so I couldn't give you any good advice. I had mine in gritty mix, too. I'm sure I killed mine due to too much watering.

It might be the gritty mix. I do know that some people have sand and other finer stuff in the mix, and even some highly successful growers have used MG cactus mix (Oh Shame) as an ingredient . I don't know squat. Just repeating bits and pieces of what I have heard.

...Mesembs will grow in almost any soil. I have seen them thriving in black florist's compost, in dirt-poor dirt, in gravel or pure pumice (quasi-hydroponically), in fluffy peat, in variants of UC mixes with supplemental pumice. They never look good in fine caking sand, but their general adaptability is otherwise great. It is amazing that around the world, working from such different media, they can synthesize the same pigments...

This is written by Steven Hammer - great info if interested:

-everything you want to know about growing Mesembs-

I think what Steven Hammer said goes for many succulents as well... As for Lithops, I gave up after my first and only one turned to jelly overnight. I never saw another plant bite the dust as quickly at that Lithops.

Christopher

Thanks everyone. Rina I have seen Steven Hammer's book, I think that is where I got the basic idea of loam and grit . Just wondering if anyone else had used it. The Lithops I still have are approaching 10 years old, but they are getting progressively smaller and no longer bloom regularly. Maybe I should just replace with new soil similar to what they were in...

I have couple of lithops, in mostly gritty but some loam mixed in (maybe just 10-15%). After about 3years they are still alive, but hardly grown - they look same size to me. They did shed old leaves but that's all.
Here is current photo - one grew 'triplet' head.

Rina

Not every lithops I've had made it but over time with the oldest at age four I found them to become just a little more addictive in a sence.

With the oldest one at four yrs it's also the smallest and maybe more troublesum as well

Agree grits for lithops might not be for everyone, or maybe grits isn't for all lithops ?

Breton, sorry for reviving an old thread..

But I found this article that might help you better understand the watering cycles of lithops..

http://saveyoursucculents.tumblr.com/post/110128039766/tips-for-caring-for-lithops-and-fenestraria-a

I think I found some green "FUZZ" on my seedlings this morning. Arghs! I really hope they are not algae! Will have to look into it after work tonight..