Index of Images

Lithops aucampiae ssp. aucampiae v. aucampiae, Majading form. Grown from seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, ex Shimada, Japan. Planted 01/27/07, photographed 09/09/07 (226 days - 0.381in [9.7mm] ave major diam.), 03/15/08 (413 days), 04/06/08 (435 days) and 08/24/08 (575 days). New bodies swell, breaking open the paper-thin dried leaves of the previous year. The third image follows a light spring watering by one week to show their appetite. Be careful not to over water now! Notice the dots at the perifery of the dried sheath - idioblasts are not found on the similar looking L. leslei seedlings.

Lithops aucampiae ex Kookerboom Nursery, RSA, grown from seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted 01/20/07, photographed 09/15/07 (239 days - 0.324in [8.2mm] ave major diam.), 03/29/08 (434 days) and 08/31/08 (589 days). Seeds were planted to simulate natural stratification. Top sand-gravel layer was stratified by vibrating pot. Seeds were sprinkled onto the mixture, and the vibration was redone. Seedlings sprouted unseen underground, and pushed upwards to the surface on emergence of the first set of leaves. Notice how different the window pattern looks on the third set of leaves (second image), and there is no mistake made here. New spring growth gives a greater ratio of betaxanthin yellow pigments. Later, the ratio will change, restoring the rich plum hue of the first image. The centeral seedling shows clearly an annular set of spots in the dried leaves of last year. These spots, or idioblasts, correspond in location to the opaque window edge decoration and not the window area. More about color pattern, pigmentation and the annual color parade on another webpage.

Lithops aucampiae ssp. aucampiae v. aucampiae, C172, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1545, planted 03/10/07, photographed 03/22/08 (378 days), 08/24/08 (533 days), and 06/07/09 (871 days). Just look at the wonderful variation of cloud-like bright color fill over the dark and deep translucent window background that gives rise to the face patterns. By August, some of the sharp, red color has faded somewhat - but this happens with every Lithops about this time of the year. Ahh, in June of 2009, the colors look brighter - certainly clearer, because the window have not thickened with summer heat exposure and the pigments are still crisp from active growth.

Lithops bromfieldii ssp. insularis v. sulphurea C362, seed obtained from Norbert Kleinmichel of the Atomic Plant Nursery, Germany. Planted 02/19/07; photographed 09/09/07, 11/17/07, 02/10/08, and 04/06/08. Note the smaller super-yellow seedling at the upper left, and the light brown at the upper right. (204 days - 0.332in [8.4mm] ave major diam., 271, and 356 days) In the 67 days between the first two photos, little apparent growth is shown, although the seedlings are slightly taller and their pigmentation more saturated. Generally, Lithops growth slows to a halt in the hot summer greenhouse. Now that it has cooled, they are preparing their next set of leaves. Following an extremely cold, but brief, exposure to 19 °F (-7 °C) on 01/09/08, some seedlings suffered fatal chlorophyll bleaching, seen in the third image taken 32 days after the sudden chill. A translucent seedling has lost all color at bottom center; others, meanwhile, prepare their new spring leaves within. The fourth image shows a different cold-bleached seedling, retaining color only in its idioblasts of last year. This one must have been one of the few brown seedlings, since the genetically defective albino-green v. sulphurea ones do not produce the purple pigment shown here. It cannot last much longer. See also the third image of L. hookeri C340 here. Now the stronger and longer days induce the seedlings to produce more free amino acids, which spontaneously condense with available betalamic acid to yield the corresponding yellow betaxanthin pigments. It is these betaxanthin pigments and not the usual betacyanins, that protect the chloroplasts of this variety from too much light. See discussion of pigment biochemistry elsewhere on this site.

Lithops bromfieldii ssp. insularis, Soverby. Seed obtained from Mesa Garden, number MG1560.8, planted 02/03/07, photographed 09/09/07, 03/29/08, and 08/24/08. Note the variation in color, from muted olive green through rich copper brown in the first image. (219 days - 0.349in [8.9mm] ave major diam.) When the new leaves emerge in spring, all seedlings are surprisingly uniform in color (420 days). At 513 days, they are definately larger from summer growth, but otherwise, remain mostly the same. Let's wait to see what happens next.

Lithops dinteri ssp. dinteri, F025C ex Fritz. Grown from seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted 01/25/07, photographed 09/15/07 (234 days - 0.406in [10.3mm] ave major diam.), 03/29/08 (429 days), and 08/24/08 (577 days). In the second image, the cat has its spots, but I almost like the subtle coloration in the juvinile seedlings better.

Lithops dorotheae, C300. Grown from seed obtained from Mesa Garden, number MG1572, planted 10/14/07 and photographed 04/20/08 (189 days - 0.134in [3.4mm] ave major diam.) I groomed the three central lithops (avg [3.0 mm] for the picture so you could see the color and pattern comparison to the F357 collection that follows. Some are stunningly brilliant, but let's wait to see how the color holds because the red betacyanin pigments always slowly decolorize, leaving the far more stable yellowish betaxanthins to dominate later in the season.

Lithops dorotheae, F357 ex Fritz. Grown from seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted 01/19/07, photographed 03/16/08 (422 days), 03/30/08 (436 days), 08/31/08 (590 days), and 08/08/09 (932 days or 2 years, 6 months, 20 days.) The first two images were taken only 14 days apart, but they look so different, why? Well, its because I preened the lithops before the second picture, removing old sheaths - the seedling at the left is left au natural for comparison. I use jeweler's tweezers to do the clean-up, style MM, available from any good flea market, although I got my professional pair (finer, sharper points) from Vigor. Keep them sharp with a diamond hone. If you do this for photos, place a finger tip on the face, push down gently and tear the sheath sideways, never pull, and do not force the issue as it will tear only when completely dry. A fine sable hair brush also helps move dust and tiny sand grains off the seedlings. Mesa Garden also offers this seed as number MG1570.9, and I plan on sowing that to see the difference in stock between seed sources.

Lithops fulviceps C266, 65 km N of Karasburg, Namibia, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1590 planted on 05/04/07, photographed 10/21/07 (170 days - 0.260in [6.6mm] ave major diam.), 03/30/08 (331 days), and 08/24/08 (478 days). With the new, intense orange color, the delicate red tracery goes undiscovered, but just wait - the orange color will gently fade, and only then will the subtle difference be seen. In the last image, you can see the depression on the left from a large, overweight cat - didn't hurt the seedling to be stepped on, though. Let's wait on this one until they get bigger so we can see the giant spots on this variety better.

Lithops fulviceps C284, 15 km NE of Karasburg, Namibia, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1590.5 planted on 03/24/07, photographed 09/09/07 (170 days - 0.354in [9.0mm] ave major diam.), 03/23/08 (364 days), 04/18/08 (393 days) and 08/15/09 ( days). Incredible change in the last six months and another set of leaves. Let's wait on this one, and follow the color changes throughout the year. But, oops! I didn't discover that the greenhouse exhaust fan had burnt out for a few days; Oh my! The tactile roots pulled these tiny plants down into the soil to protect them from too much sunlight and the extra heat that this brings. They will recover. (.... repotting and time passes....) Yes, they did just fine. Why, just look at them now pale, old leaves nearly spent and newer vibrant leaves emerging in the anual transition tradition. I like the more adult finesse and apparent delicateness of tone. But these plants are not delicate at all, and they certainly have not reached their adult size yet.

Lithops gesineae C207, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1594, planted 02/03/07, photographed 09/09/07 (219 days - 0.393in [10.0mm] ave major diam.), 03/29/08 (420 days) and 08/31/08 (575 days). Ah, we have some nice pink peeking out from under the old leaves, lets see what happens when the surrounding trees leaf out and shorten the daylight hours. Just as I suspected, the pink betanine pigment is decreasing by early fall, so the color fades as seen in the third image. However, the leaves have grown much larger - about 4 times in volume - so maybe the pigment hasn't actually decreased so much in absolute terms after all.

Lithops gracilidelineata ssp. gracilidelineata v. gracilidelineata C374. Grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1596.31 planted 02/04/07, photographed 04/06/08 (427 days - 0.421in [10.7mm] ave major diam.), 08/30/08 (573 days), and 07/05/10 (1247 days or 3 years, 5 months, 1 day). In the first image, these seedlings are challenging the fine distinction between subtle pastels and totally non-descript grey, but, although slow growing, changes are scheduled for later on. Let's wait and see - they can't hide in the gravel forever. In the second image, still no exciting colors show. I'll probably plant in a group to display their their totally grey lovelyness. Well, at least there will be flowers. Ahh, at last the subtle colors have emerged showing jade, blue-grey and peach undertones, but the calligraphic markings are esquisite. Well worth the wait to withold judgement. And thanks to Mesa Garden for preserving the diversity within the seeds sent to me from this population.

Lithops gracilidelineata ssp. brandbegensis C383. Grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1596.33 planted 01/30/07, photographed 09/09/07 (223 days - 0.455in [11.6mm] ave major diam.), 03/16/87 (411 days), and 08/24/08 (572 days). The saturated spring yellows have mostly faded away by August.

Lithops gracilidelineata ssp. gracilidelineata var gracilidelineata 'streyi' C373, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1596.3 planted on 03/25/07, photographed 09/15/07 (175 days - 0.313in [8.0mm] ave major diam.), and 03/30/08 (370 days).

Lithops gracilidelineata ssp. waldroniae C243, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1596.7 planted on 03/10/07, photographed 09/09/07 (190 days - 0.297in [7.5mm] ave major diam.), 03/29/08 (384 days), and 08/30/08 (539 days). Look carefully at the second image and you can see the pinkish face of the new set of leaves inside their tough protective sheath of old leaves, following watering by about two hours at 3:30 p.m. These leaves, unlike most are thicker in the window area, so this is the last area to dry. The seedling at the top, center has dried its leaves at the sides first, cutting off the top layer from the rest of the plant. With a few more days of intense spring sunlight, things will change rapidly and the new leaves will complete their emergence. In the third image, they have completely burst through and shed their 'top hat'.

Lithops hallii, Klippunt, Upington, grown from Mesa Garden seed, number MG1596.9, planted 02/04/07, photographed 09/09/07 (218 days - 0.350in [8.9mm] ave major diam.), 03/29/08 (419 days), and 08/30/08 (573 days). Only with their third set of leaves do they start to wear their adult dress code (second image). By fall (third image), they are much larger and have kept their colors well.

Lithops hallii SH1353A, grown from Mesa Garden seed, number MG1596.98, planted 03/10/07, photographed 09/16/07. (191 days - 0.320in [8.1mm] ave major diam.), and 03/30/08 (385 days). The new set of leaves shows the delicate netting of this most beautiful clone.

Lithops herrei C355, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1612.4 planted on 03/24/07, photographed 09/09/07 (170 days - 0.519in [13.2mm] ave major diam.), and 03/16/08 (358 days). Lucious spring colors appear in the second image on their second true leaves. When leaves start to die, shrink and consolidate, colors often change quickly and can become spectacular, even if only for a day. The old leaf no longer photosynthesizes because the green chlorophyll has degraded and bleached white in the sunlight, leaving the remaining colors brighter and clearer. The remaining pigments then disappear as they are metabolically equilibrated to other moeities and consumed. What little remains is finally degraded in the sunlight, so this time of changing colors is fleeting and rarely photographed. The new emergent patterns are similar to the previous year's old leaf, but yet more mature.

Lithops hookeri ssp. dabneri C13, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1616.3 planted on 10/08/07, photographed 10/28/07 (20 days), 03/29/08 (173 days), 04/20/08 (195 days.), and 08/24/08 (321 days). In the first image, tiny seedlings show their characteristic trumpet shape. If not planted among very coarse sand grains, they sometimes will fall over because they produce one elongating root that can push it out of the soil. Anchoring root hairs, as on L. aucampiae, are not produced until much later on. You can see an empty hull on the edge of the seedling to the right. In the second image, seedlings are wearing their shower-cap hats, just starting to waken after forced dormancy caused by an unexpected freeze at 19 °F (-7 °C) for part of a day. But, in the next three weeks, (third image) they expand rapidly in a new season, but never will have the bright, orange spring color of L. Hookeri C340. (following) Latest image shows the start of adult coloration with stormy blue sides, but they are still tiny. Let's follow up later on this one.

Lithops hookeri C340, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1616.22 planted on 12/25/06, photographed 09/15/07. (265 days - 0.419in [10.6mm] ave major diam.), 03/15/08, and 04/13/08. Much of the fresh orange color of youth has tanned to a golden bronze in the first image, but for the new growth, just out of hiding, the intense bright orange has returned with the uncovering of new leaves (second image). As the papery leaf sloughs off, the yellow-orange betaxanthine pigments have already lightened somewhat. Notice the spots on the inner surface of last year's leaf. All other pigment has been either oxidatively bleached away by enzyme oxidases, photochemically induced oxidation of the double bond structure, or hydrolyzed. But strongly magenta colored spots, old idioblasts located central to the window's orange humps, show their unique pigments. See also the fourth image of L. broomfeldii insularis sulphurea C362 here.

Lithops julii ssp. julii v. fulleri C056 X Lithops julii ssp. julii v. fulleri cv. 'Fullergreen' C056A, grown from seed obtained from a cross made by Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium. Planted 01/27/07, photographed 02/09/08, 03/22/08, and 08/24/08. (378, 420, and 575 days) In the latest image, the varied spring colors have faded greatly - now things look mainly green, but we know better! The green C056A parent gives rise to about half Fullergreen-looking and half non-green progeny, but the non-green half has colors that C056 never has by itself. Where does this extra colorful trait come from? Let's compare this with other julii's that follow.

Lithops jullii ssp. julii cv. 'Kikushogiyoku', grown from seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, ex Shimada, Japan. Planted 01/27/07, photographed 09/09/07 (226 days - 0.392in [10.0mm] ave major diam.), 02/09/08 (378 days), 03/29/08 (427 days), and 09/01/08 (583 days). In the second image, you can see three seedlings with killed chloroplasts bleached-white following severe, but short, cold exposure at 19 °F (-7 °C). The one at bottom center will survive and the new emergent leaves can be seen. Now compare the leaf top pattern in the first two images - old to new leaves - you see that it was the side walls that stretched to accomodate the expansion of new immanently emerging leaf pair because the fingerprint top pattern area did not expand proportionally. This follows because the top windowed area of the leaf is thicker, therefore more resistant to stretching. The third close-up shows the multiple genetic personalities that a named variety can have when it is not a true-breading cultivar, and each one is a gem, albeit still tiny, in its own right. A year has gone by from the first image to the fourth - what a big difference, and many changes. Compare the second and the fourth - yes, these are the same seedlings - minus the ones that died. Maybe not quite as red because of the time of year, but still an exceptionally striking clone.

Lithops julii ssp. fulerii cv. 'Karkas', grown from seed obtained from Dr. Jan Jecmínek, number S981A, planted 02/09/07, photographed 02/10/08 (366 days), 03/30/08 (415 days), and 08/24/08 (593 days). Chlorophyll was killed in two seedlings at center top in first image by a sudden cold exposure. Other neighboring seedlings were unaffected. Over the following weeks, pigment faded, leaving the seedlings totally translucent. Note the one aberrant green seedling in the lower left corner. The colorless seedlings lasted 62 days before a sudden overnight collapse.

Lithops julii ssp. fulerii v. rouxii C324, grown from Mesa Garden seed, number MG1621.48, planted 02/04/07, photographed 09/09/07 (218 days - 0.347in [8.8mm] ave major diam.), 03/16/08 (406 days), and 08/24/08 (567 days).

Lithops karasmontana ssp. bella, Witputz. Grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1625.76 planted on 12/25/06, photographed 09/09/07 (265 days - 0.389in [9.9mm] ave major diam.), and 03/16/08 (447 days).

Lithops karasmontana ssp. karasmontana v. eberlanzii, from seed obtained from Norbert Kleinmichel of the Atomic Plant Nursery, Germany. Planted 03/11/07, photographed 10/20/07 (223 days), and 03/16/08 (371 days). Slower growing than most to get their first set of leaves, but then they also slowed with the summer heat. This was too late in the year for me to start them, and I knew that - but anyways.... Look at the drastic change of color with the change of light intensity. In the fall, the total light to the green house is reduced because the surrounding trees are covered with a dense canopy of leaves. But in the second image, the trees have not started to leaf out yet. The increased springtime UV intensity and the increased direct sunlight exposure stimulates pigment production. You can see that seasonal and cultural changes can make species identification difficult.

Lithops karasmontana ssp. karasmontana v. eberlanzii, C370. Grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1625.81 planted on 03/11/07 and photographed 04/06/08 (392 days), to show a three leaved green variant with new emergent two-leaved leaves reverting back to the normal growth pattern. This particular seed selection from Mesa Garden gives green variants sometimes, and they look very much like the 'Avocado Green' cv, although these will not always breed true. Compare the face patterns with the other v. eberlanzii, above.

Lithops karasmontana ssp. karasmontana v. karasmontana 'Signalberg Form', from abundant and vigrous seed obtained from a German Ebay vendor, attesting to be blue-violet from blue-violet parents - well, we'll see, but so far I see totally average grey brown - so much for goals and expectations. Planted 01/03/07 and photographed 09/15/07 (255 days - 0.391in [9.9mm] ave major diam.), 03/16/08 (438 days), and 08/24/08 (599 days). Generally appear lightly pinkish this spring, the second image is a close up of the center three in first image. Look at the position of the grooved orangish sand grain. By late summer, the pink has faded and there is still no trace of blue. Let's look back later in the season.

Lithops karasmontana ssp. laterita cv. 'Blood Red', Seed from the cross of two very red plants, obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted 03/25/07, photographed 09/15/07 (175 days - 0.204in [5.2mm] ave major diam.), and 02/09/08 (321 days). These two images appear superficially the same, but if you notice, the image on the right is exactly one leaf pair older, starting to show its second true leaves.

Lithops karasmontans ssp. lericheana was planted 03/24/07 from seed obtained from Dr. Jan Jecmínek as number S423 A. Photographed on 03/22/08 (385 days). Compare these seedlings to the other karasmontana photographs and you will notice their unique fine light colored spots. But wait! Oh, my gosh! What's that in the center? Is that a giant baby Lithops pushing up in the middle of the group from deep underground? Hummm, maybe they like to live partly buried when seedlings - another experiment to try - oh, but didn't I do that already with L. aucampiae ex Kookerboom Nursery? I think so - take a look here.

Lithops karasmontans ssp. mickbergensis C317 were not impressive enough in their first set of true leaves to warrent a picture, or so I thought at the time. But look now at the coloration and diversity in this seed population I received from Mesa Garden! Seed number MG1631.2 planted 03/03/07, I didn't photograph them until in their second true leaf pair 03/22/08. (385 days) Compare these seedlings to the other karasmontana photographs and you will see how unique the coloration and pattern is.

Lithops karasmontans ssp. mickbergensis F96E from Norbert Kleinmichael of the Atomic Plant Nursery, Germany, appear to have similar patterns to the Cole collection, C317, above. However, this F96E sowing appears to have 50% plain faces and 50% figured, with uniform coloration. Sowed on 03/04/07 (392 days) and photographed 03/30/08, we will have to wait for a better comparison later in the year, even though the two mickbergense are nearly the same age. What do you think? Would you be able to say that these were both the same ssp? Could you identify them correctly? I wouldn't.

L. leslei cv Albinica C36A, still with their seed casings. Mesa Garden seed planted 10/20/07, photographed 11/10/07. (21 days) Compare this shape to L. hookeri ssp. dabneri C13 on page 7: L. leslei has a puffy padded seat cushion top and heavy rounded margin. Compare the growth rate to L. meyeri on page 12. The second image, taken 03/30/08 ( days), introduces the pot companion, Lithops leslei ssp. leslei, E. Walkerville, Mesa Garden number MG1635.5

Lithops lesliei ssp. burchellii C308, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1655.2, planted 02/03/07, photographed 09/09/07 (217 days - 0.341in [8.7mm] ave major diam.) and 03/16/08 (407 days). New fimbriated face detail is becomming visible in color as the second true leaf pair expands inside the old translucent papery sheath of last year's first leaves.

Lithops marmorata cv. 'Johnson's Pinkish', grown from seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted 01/25/07, photographed 09/09/07 (228 days - 0.394in [10.0mm] ave major diam.), and 03/16/08 (416 days). Finally, with their first set of true leaves emerging, the true rich pinkish hue shows in the UV rich and color stimulating spring daylight.

Lithops meyeri cv 'Hammeruby', grown from seed obtained from Mesa Garden, seed number MG1671.41 planted on 10/08/07 and photographed 10/28/07. (20 days) Compare the growth rate to L. leslei Albinica on page 10.

Lithops olivacea, Achab, Names, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1671.92 planted on 10/29/07 and photographed 11/18/07. (19 days) These tiny seedlings look very much like Conophytums at this stage, with barrel instead of the usual cone shape. Look closely to see them pushing the sand grains out of their way.

Lithops optica 'rubra', grown from from vigrous seed obtained from a German Ebay vendor, planted on 01/03/07 and photographed 03/22/08. (444 days) These seedlings show two shades of deep magenta-purple, with the new leaves deep inside being blueish-purple. The blue will fade with time, and the red-purple diminish in saturation as the greenhouse surrounding trees leaf out and shorten the length of day even though summer approaches. This image distracts the eye from other beauties on this page, just as it draws attention in the greenhouse. There are several 'rubras' of different genetic heritage and somewhat different color and color behaviour. The one here is the red-purplish type; there is a redder one and another which originated in Japan that is more blue-purple. Many have less intense color than the ones shown and are a good indicator of light intensity for mature lithops.

Lithops otzeniana SH531, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1686.14 planted on 12/25/06, photographed 09/09/07 (259 days - 0.511in [13.0mm] ave major diam.), 03/16/08 (447 days), and 08/24/08 (608 days). Compare the window patterns of the two images and note how the patterns have changed considerably, from the juvenile patterns of the cotyledons in the left image, to the adult one on the right, imprinted on true leaves.

Lithops pseudotruncatella 'mundti', C099 from seed obtained from Mesa Garden, number MG1697.8, planted 03/10/07 and photographed 04/06/08 (393 days). Bright and sharply dressed for the spring, these seedlings show more bright color than most others of this species - a remanent product of their collection. Alas, as the season goes on, the orange-red color will mute. Let's visit them in late summer.

Lithops pseudotruncatella riehmerae C097 from seed obtained from Mesa Garden, number MG1696.4, planted 02/07/07 and photographed 03/22/08 (409 days), and 08/24/08 (564 days). Prior photos were pretty nondescript, bland, greyish and unimpressive. But now, as their fresh second pair of springtime true leaves bursts the old papery sheath, they are brighter and more distinct, but not all of them are this brilliant. Later in the year, they return to their more normal colors seen in the second image as their red pigments are consumed.

Lithops salicola fma. maculate cv. 'Supermac' ex Vincent Formosa. From Seed obtained from Dr. Francois Hoes, planted 01/27/07 and photographed 03/22/08. (420 days) I could have cropped the picture to show only the two choice seedlings at the top left, but that would have been deceptive to not show the two color extremes of this crossing and the variation of the maculation.

Lithops schwantesii ssp. schwantesii v. rugosa 'violet'. Seed obtained from Dr. Jan Jecmínek, number S1165, planted 02/17/07 and photographed 10/21/07. (246 days - 0.310in [7.9mm] ave major diam.)

Lithops schwantesii ssp. schwantesii v. urikosensis 'nutupsdriftensis' at 545 days. Seed obtained from Dr. Jan Jecmínek, number S463, planted 03/04/07, photographed 09/15/07 (184 days - 0.320in [8.1mm] ave major diam.), and 08/30/08 (545 days). Finally, in the second image, you can see the beautiful contrasting colors on the faces of this variety, with the all-important variation within a population. But note the distinctive and characteristic yellowish face border. Should make a fanatastic grouping when the heads multiply, as they will easily on this species as they mature.

Lithops villetti ssp. kennedyi, grown from Mesa Garden seed number MG1722, planted 05/12/07 and photographed 03/15/08. (308 days - 0.242in [6.15mm] ave major diam.) New, highly patterned first leaves emerge from thin, papery old leaves of last year cotyledons.

Lithops sp. 'pink', grown from seed obtained from Dr. Jan Jecmínek, number S580, planted 03/10/07, photographed 09/09/07 (184 days - 0.335in [8.5mm] ave major diam.) and 03/23/08 (379 days). Now, at the emergence of the second set of true leaves, we can see pink on these year old seedlings! Just look at these colorful tops unzip from one side - unusual, as most others, with thinner tops, split from the inside edge.

Lithops sp. 'violet', grown from seed obtained from Dr. Jan Jecmínek, number S803, planted 02/10/07, photographed 09/09/07. (212 days - 0.330in [8.4mm] ave major diam.), and 08/30/08 (546 days). Wow, does time fly! I had completely forgotten to take a picture of these beautiful violet oones for almost a year. Same guys, but diferent leaves - see how they are rotated? Just kiddiing, because the new leaves come out at right angles to each previous pair. Personally, I think these are L. gracilidelinata, and look suspiciously like a prime selected var. 'waldroniae' that breeds true - very nice. Take a look here. and see what I mean.

Dinterops 'stonesthrow' x Lithops otzeniana, grown from seed from a cross made by Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted 01/27/2007 with 100% germination, photographed 09/16/07 (233 days - 0.263in [6.7.0mm] ave major diam.) and 03/23/08 (421 days) What an unattractive mung bean color! (1st image) I hope it improves with age, and no sign of the otzeniana window pattern. Ah, but I said that last year, and now in the second (spring) image we have intense color! Deep burnt oranges and underlying green hints. Still no otzeniana pattern, but we do have reminiscenses of the aucampiae grandparents.

Grown from seed from a cross made by Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, I was lucky to have one germinate from about 300 seeds planted on 01/27/2007 of the cross Kermit X Dinteranthus vanzijlii. Photographed 09/16/07, 12/29/07, 02/10/08 and 04/06/08. (233 days - 0.355in [6.7mm] major diam., 336, 378 and 435 days) The new internal leaves appear as a tongue between lips in the second image, separating the old and thick, purplish and tough, outer leathery leaves. In the third image, the old leaves have receeded, deepening to shocking color in the winter sun, plus an extreme cold exposure. Finally, the pigment color is lightening, partly because the epidermis is developing its hollow, light reflecting cells. These four images show a true-to-life seasonal color progression.

(Lithops lesliei Pietersburg form C030 X Dinteranthus vanzijlii) F2, grown from seed from a cross made by Dr. Francois Hoes, Belgium, planted about 50 seeds on 03/25/2007 and had numerous germinate. Photographed 04/06/08 (378 days) These seedlings, flat as a pancake on top, have subtle colors of strange combinations, showing brownish areas lined by peach lips, blending into subtle green tones. But, then again, sometimes they are brownish grey, or maybe it was a rosey blush I saw last week. Colors changing rapidly and subtly, it is impossible to pin down a definition without undergoing a monthly review, maybe due to their apparently unhappy disposition. Dinteranthus crosses are tempermental and must be grown covered in a closed container at all times.

Jensenobotrya lossowiana, grown from seed obtained from Mesa Garden, MG1527.5 planted 12/29/2007 and photographed 02/09/08. (43 days - 0.282in [7.16mm] ave. major diam.) These seedlings survived the cold without effect.