Oh, that's a bummer.

I have mine in my plantshed. Water them very careful once in - say - three weeks and only when the weather has been dry enough. I skip during rainperiods and wait a while longer.

Almost every plant here is placed in gentle rain during summer, but never the lauii's.

the mix they are in is very drainageble.

I don't know the natural habit, but maybe they grow on slopes, where water is going down the slope very quick and the plants get dry in short time?

Nothing else to do than start again. Sorry to see this.

Harry

Aztcqn..I think Harry may be right. Most pictures I see of Echeverias in habitat are on steep slopes or even in crevices in cliffs. Makes me think quick water run off and poor soil conditions.

Although Cactus Jordi is more interested in cacti, I believe he could give some habitat info that would help. I haven't seen him post much lately though.

I know you have a beautiful specimen, Harry. I thought I could grow them just as well….. :(

My outdoor conditions are not controlled. They were outside in full sun and were/ looked happy. What I was struggling with is that they began to lose lower leaves, dehydrating and wrinkling one after another on all 3 plants. I figured they were not getting enough water. So, I began to water 2 x week.

Aloebot, the mix they are in was very porous, draining and drying within a day. But, leaves continued to shrivel. Didn't get the right balance of water with these, I guess. Damn.

I suppose moisture got into the base anyway. We've had a couple of light drizzly days and then sun or breezes in the afternoon. I didn't think this would push them over, but ,perhaps it did. Just can't get ANY moisture on them from dew or fog, tears nothing. Really sad because I had it for the 2 years and it was getting big.

This is what the other lauii looks like. My thought is it's losing leaves because of not enough water. Does this assessment seem correct? I repotted it into slightly more soil proportion in the mix and the roots looked plump and healthy........ Would this condition not require more than once every 2 weeks watering?

:[

Here's a pic I found of a plant in habitat.

If it's anything like Dudleya, the crispy leaves support the ever lengthening stem, so it's advised to leave them in place. Do you acidify your water for them? I was reading about that and I add a little citric acid to the municipal water (which is pH toward alkaline so as not to corrode pipes) after letting it sit overnight or a day to outgas the chlorine. Some plants are more sensitive to such things than others. I have never grown this species, just throwing out ideas...don't give up, cut off the mush and root those leaves.

Thanks for the pics and comment Nii13. I guess it's balancing the leaf thinning with enough water to prevent total desiccation. I, also, notice that the mature plant is not very big at all. It was so beautiful with its pink undertone, puts a knot in my stomach when I think about it........

NO, good to know and I don't pick the dry leaves off (anymore). I use cached rain water on them all. I suppose it is much more acidic than tap. I do notice that my orchids love this water and no more leaf tip burn this year with use of rain water and no calcium/mineral buildup on the pots.

This plant is notorious for never sprouting plantlets from individual leaves and I could see the core of each leaf turning black. I was so disappointed I threw the dead plant into the middle of the yard in frustration.

I think the reason anyone gardens is because it's a deep deep satisfaction with seeing something nurtured into it's fullest potential whether it's a small prickly cactus or a giant citrus that bears tons of fruit. I suppose, it's part of the experience to lose some while we learn. Thanks for your words.