Two months ago I had a brand new lighting setup and a hankering to test it out with some seeds so I sowed three packets that had been sitting around for a year: lithops, mixed succulents, and mixed cacti.
Watching them develop into surprising, mystery seedlings has been a pleasure and it’s been equally fun trying to guess what they will become as they develop past their seed leaves and start to grow into miniature versions of their future selves.
Sort of like raising baby humans, but without the sleepless nights and poo.
The lithops continue to resemble little buttons and tiny cervixes. They’ve developed past a uniform bright green appearance and have taken on more distinct looks. I’m not familiar enough with the myriad of different varieties to make any identifications, but I’m feeling very optimistic about the hot pink seedling and the purple one that is a little bit transparent on the sides and is flecked with white dots (above).
those are so cute! succulents are my favorite. i tried growing succulents from cuttings once and it was the slowest growing plant ever. i wonder if i need some sort of growth hormone or if growing from seeds is better.
OK, those baby lithops are about the cutest things I’ve ever seen. I grew cactus from seeds once under normal lights and it worked. :)
Alycia: I think cuttings are faster, but seeds are more fun because you get some variation rather than clones.
oooh – where did you find succulent seeds? that sounds like wonderful spring fever fun.
I love succulents they are the plant that just keeps on giving. I think the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein should have been entitled “The Giving Succulent”. I haven’t tried growing them from seeds I usually just use cuttings.
Oh you’ll love the Lithops – they take forever to get to any size, but it’s worth it in the end. What a nice late winter treat…
These are so cool, and exactly what I’m going to do once the veggies are all outside for the spring and summer. What brand of seeds did you use?
These look otherworldly at this stage. So wonderful to peer into their little world.
I thought about the “tiny cervixes” that last time you posted photos of the lithops, but I was afraid to make the comment! Haha.
Those are adorable!
About 8 years ago I bought a package of mixed cacti seeds. My cats ended up murdering one of the plants, but the other one is still alive and relatively big now (still a little guy, but considering how little he used to be and how much I neglet him – he is big to me!). I was actually very surprised at how easy it was to start those little guys.
Sooo cute! Can’t wait to see them develop…keep posting pix! I want to do this with my kids!
Oh my goodness, the growth on these are great! I especially am fond of the zoomed in shots… the tiny flecks of sand really gives perspective to how small the babies are!
Where does one obtain succulent [and/or] lithop seeds anyway?! I’ll have to see your first post if you placed a link.
I want something like this in my kitchen, pronto!
Donna: I believe I purchased this pack of mixed lithops seeds from Thompson & Morgan.
This is awesome!!
Amazing! Mine are much further behind – I’ve got several pots with lithops, conophytums and other succulent seeds going and they’re just under 2 weeks old. I can’t wait for them to start developing more “mature” characteristics – like waiting for them to hit puberty!
I also sowed seeds for Dioscorea Elephantipes – I keep reading conflicting information – does anyone know anything about this plant?
“tiny cervixes” – LOL.
wow. that is kind of magical.
Those little baby succulents are *so* cute!