Basically just wondering if these can be saved.

There is a split in the one leaf but other than that the plant looks OK. Old leaves becoming a bit soft and shriveling away is normal for this plant. Don't pull off the leaves.

http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/LAPIDARIA/Lapidaria_margaretae/lapidaria_margaretae/Lapidaria_margaretae.htm

Thanks, I know the old leaves are supposed to shrivel I just had never noticed that they were soft before. I saw the dark soft areas and panicked.

I also contacted the seller and they suggested the same as breton2 just pot them up and water sparingly, so I will do that. Thanks for the reassurance!

Definitely email Jamey and send him some photos just in case. I believe you have 24 hours to report any issues upon package arrival. (Edit: I see you have done so already)

I find that old Lapidaria leaves can look a little haggard, especially if they are grown in soil that isn't so dry at the surface. Here is a photo of mine where I excavated a bit just now:

Here is what a healthy Lithops looks like (with soil partially removed):

P.s. Lori - you should enable direct messaging. I was curious to see what other succulents you had gotten from this supplier and possibly for photos.

I've already gotten a few plants from them before and am happy to show you how mine turned out. Just curious for future possible plant purchases. =)

Sorry eww I didn't even know that was a setting.

I have mostly just ordered lithops. I've also ordered fenestraria, Senecio rowleyanus, Euphorbia lactea cristata (which I have managed to kill two of already, I just ordered a third and it looks good), aeonium zwartkop (I am also on my second), senecio haworthii... I'm not sure if there was anything else. Everything has been really good so far.

I have very limited space so I try to stick to my favourites. I actually haven't been able to find any other mail order suppliers in Canada. Do you know of some other good ones?

PS thanks for the photos and explanation. This is my first Lapidaria so I wasn't really sure what to look for.

Lori - Thanks! I saw they had a couple interesting Lithops species, but were all sold out of them when I had ordered. Same thing for Fenestraria (although I have a tiny one that is finally growing).

For me, I had gotten a Duvalia, several Haworthia, Cheiridopsis, and a Stomatium. They all arrived in good condition and bigger than expected. Most of the Haworthia flowered for me already, along with the Stomatium.

My only issue was the Cheiridopsis was in the wrong 'stage' if you could call it that. It was in the spring stage of growth, rather than the fall.

Which Lithops did you end up getting? I would have loved to get a L. optica cv 'Rubia' or L. herrei 'translucens' but they were both out of stock at the time.

Not sure if you are in the GTA, but I do have a list of plants I've seen about different nurseries/garden centers. The only other online supplier I've ordered from is in the Netherlands and I'm still waiting to get those plants. =)

mayo

How long ago did you order from Netherlands? Isn't it getting little late for ordering plants? I never bought any online...(btw, I think Lori is your neighbour :)

Rina - I think the order just went out the other day. Suppose it's a little late and not an ideal time... but the allure of cool and interesting plants was hard to resist.

Haha, I swear my neighbours think I'm crazy because this summer I've eternally been potting / repotting plants on my driveway. Even at night if I got home very late from work... it feels a little goofy wearing a headlamp but it works.

Lori, mine looks a bit like yours and worse. It could not be saved at the end. Oh, I didn't know you can order from other country. I thought Canada doesn't allow plant import? I would also like to know who you other from or even places that you can get varieties of succulents. Also, ewwmayo & rina, the nurseries or farm suppliers that you said in Milton or Brampton to get turface, grits, etc. Is it jade garden? Any other ones? Could you give me their names. I am planning to go this weekend. I am coming from Markham.

Gaeinpan - Sharpe Farm Supplies is in Moffat for grower grit (at least, that's where I got mine).

Turface is from Plant Products in Brampton or Gro Bark in Milton. Both of these are only open weekdays and have somewhat annoying hours, I believe. You should look them up and call just in case.

If you are looking for pumice, I heard Kim's Nature has some, but it is kind of pricey. Not sure the quality as I've never seen it personally.

Jade Gardens is a nice place to get succulents, they grow them there. Prices are cheaper than most and have a pretty good selection. Their plants are well cared for but the quality of their mix can vary. Staff is very friendly. They have a book of photos with some fairly accurate IDs at the cash register.

If you're in the area, you can also stop by Terra Greenhouses but they typically take abysmal care of their succulents and are overpriced. Sometimes they have interesting plants.

Since you're in Markham, sometimes Vandermeer Nursery in Ajax may have some interesting succulents. Plant condition and selection varies on how old or new the stock is. Prices are quite good.

I always wanted to stop by Grow Something in East Toronto for succulents too (they close end of this month for the season), but I have never made it out there. Supposedly they're opening a new location around Etobicoke so that'll be much more accessible for me.

Gaeinpan

I bought turface from Plant Products, bought 4 bags 2yrs ago so I don't have to go back too often.

I get grit (chicken grit) from North York Farmers at 17435 Leslie Street, Newmarket, ON L3Y 9A3; (905) 895-5172. I usually get few bags at the time again, maybe 1 bag of turkey size (bigger) for top-dressing. But you may want to top-dress with 'fancier' pebbles like in mayos photo (I don't want to spend too much on it, rather buy new plants :)

I find Terra, Bradford GH, Plant World and other quite expensive for succulents, and bit of hit and miss. Best selection so far, I found in Bradford GH in Barrie! (not the Bradford one). Maybe they just got the new shipment - I don't know since I was there only 2x. But buying them over net could be even more pricey with shipping added, so there isn't much one can do. You can buy from other countries, just check their policies regarding all the certificates/permits - some state which countries they don't ship to, and/or any extra charges. Mayo just ordered from Netherlands, he may have more info.

Rina

Eww, I ordered three lithops this time, but two ended up being out of stock so Jamey subbed some new ones he has just gotten in. I ended up with salicola C351, karasmontana C369 and julii ssp fulleri C171. I have never seen the optica rubia in stock and also the fenestraria always seem to be out of stock, but I did manage to order one once.

I was in Toronto until last year, now I am up on Georgian Bay. I never really ventured too far into the GTA for nurseries. I used to frequent Sheridan Nurseries at Yonge and Glencairn and they would have a good selection of small (unlabled) cacti and succulents for cheap ($2-$6) and also air plants. That's where I first found lithops although I never saw them there again.

I am down that way occasionally still though.

I just was reading about importing seeds to Canada, apparently it's much less strict than to US. http://www.gardeningoncloud9.com/200904/shipping-seeds-canada/

I just placed an order with Mesa Gardens for seeds, so we'll see how that goes. I think plants more complicated unfortunately.

Rina, now I really want to check out Bradford Greenhouse in Barrie! It's about an hour and a half from me. I also found Plant World very overpriced and underwhelming for succulents.

For Turface--I didn't think I'd ever get to PlantProd on a weekday, so I use Napa Floor Dry which is just diatamaceous earth. It works great, although I've never used Turface to compare. I found Floor Dry recommended on these forums. I think it's $15-$20 for a big bag, and then I screen out all the dust. It's very light weight.

Gaeinpan try valleysucculents.ca They are in BC though it's getting risky to order live plants at this time of year. It usually takes about 10 days for the order to arrive.

I also second the Jade Gardens recommendation as well. They had a good selection and were very friendly.

Lori

I guess I shouldn't assume anything...since your zone, I thought you are in Oakville. Up on Georgian Bay it should be colder?

Floor Dry should be just as good. I did buy 1 bag few yrs ago from Napa, but didn't like it (it turned mushy). But that doesn't mean it is not good. I think I got some 'odd' bag then.

I will re-visit Barrie GH and let you know what /if they have good selection; last time I was there was about 5-6 weeks ago.

Rina

We do get some warmth off the lake. According to www.planthardiness.gc.ca it's 6a, although I'm sure there's a lot of variance within the area.

I actually decided to head there today. They had a pretty good selection and I picked up a few succulents. Thanks for the recommendation :)

Lori - I visit the Mississauga Sheridan Nurseries fairly frequently and so far that's the best one I've been to (of the Sheridans). The ones in Scarborough and Hamilton weren't as good.

If you don't mind posting a photo of your potted Lithops that would be awesome. =)

Gaeinpan - For succulents you can also try Valleyview Gardens in Markham. They grow many of their own succulents although they tend to sell bigger pots at a fairly higher cost. It's only worth going if you are bored and live close by.

I've also been to the Woodhill Garden Centre in Markham. Selection was small but they had a few interesting succulents there. I bet it's hit and miss.