Help! Lithop rotted while splitting

8 years ago

So this was my lithop's second time splitting and I stupidly watered it. I then repotted the lithop but it was already too late-- the parent leaves have completely rotted and gone mushy/transparent and the base of the lithop was also brown, shriveled, and mushy. While examining it, however, I noticed the baby lithop seemed relatively okay. Another stupid move later, I pulled off the parent leaves and put the baby lithop in a pot of just pearlite, even though the stem was rotted with no roots. Is there any way this baby will survive or is it already gone? Also, did I just kill the lithop by pulling off the parent leaves?

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Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Baby Lithop is dead unfortunately.

Generally I’ve noticed with Lithops if there is rot anywhere the plant is gone. I’m sure some have had success by digging out the rot, but I think it’s rare. Lithops are tough in some ways, but very fragile too. If the older leaves are being absorbed and rot happens the rot will spread down to the base where the newer leaves are. Depending how far along the new leaves are you may be able to peel off the older leaves, but the new leaves have to be pretty far along. Also they must be connected to the roots. Without roots Lithops can’t be propagated with cuttings like other succulents, they’ll just turn to mush.

I tried digging out a baby Lithop a few months ago, but the baby Lithop died eventually. I think it died because while I was trying to dig it out I poked it a couple times with my fingernail.

I was able to keep the roots attached to the baby, but about a month later it rotted away. I would still give it a try again, but this time I would be a little more careful.
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