Description
Lithops karasmontana var. mickbergensis cv. 99.44% white is a select form of the very variable Lithops karasmontana distingushed for its quite uniform near white to very pale pinkish-grey top, some pink-orange.
Habit: It is a tiny perennial, caespitose, succulent plant resembling a grouping of tiny pebbles split down the middle like cleft hooves. It grows to a maximum eight of 4 cm above ground and spreads to form small clumps with up to 12 or more heads (usually 2-6).
Stem: Almost stemless.
Bodies (Paired leaves): Inverted cone-like, turbiniform, each 2,5-3 cm, divided into 2 unequal-sized, conjunct and coalescent leaves; in the young stage slightly convex, in the older stage more or less flat. Fissure fairly deep, 4-10 mm long, sides light grey; window large indistinct, quite uniform near white to very pale pinkish-grey top, some pink-orange.
Flowers: Big up to 4,5 cm in diameter (mostly 25-35 mm) satiny white, narrow-rayed.
Blooming season: Late summer or early autumn.
Fruit: Seed capsules mostly 5-chambered, otherwise 4 or 5-chambered. Profile boat-shaped.
Seeds: Minuscule, yellow-brown; smooth to rugose.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin ((Mesa Garden Catalog MG 1630.1))
Cultivation and Propagation
Lihops karasmontana var. mickbergensis cv. 99.44% white need an open mineral, fast draining mix and the maximum amount of light you are able to give them. The basic cultivation routine is: Stop watering after flowering. Start watering after the old leaves completely dry. (Usually late March or Early April) Water freely during the growing season, soak the compost fully but allow it to dry out between waterings. Some growers fertilize frequently, some hardly ever. Keep them dry during the winter. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid.
Propagation: From seed, with seed planting best in either October or April.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Gert Cornelis Nel, “Lithops: Plantae Succulente, Rarissimae, in Terra Obsuratae, E Familia Aizoaceae, Ex Africa Australi” Hortors Limited, University Press, Stellenbosch. 1946
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Linda R. Berg “Introductory Botany: Plants, People, and the Environment” Cengage Learning, 02/Mar/2007
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Dieter J. Von Willert “Life strategies of succulents in deserts: with special reference to the Namib desert” CUP Archive, 1992
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Chris Mcintyre “Namibia” Bradt Travel Guides, 2007
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Neale (W. T.) & Co, Edgar Lamb “Neale’s photographic reference plates, 1949: Combining cacti and other succulents” Vol. 2 W. T. Neale & Co.
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RHS “A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants.” United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008
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American Horticultural Society “The American Horticultural Society encyclopedia of garden plants” Macmillan, 30/Nov/1989
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H. E. K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z” Springer, 2002
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Schwantes, Gustav. “Flowering Stones and Mid-day Flowers” London: Ernst Benn. 1957
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S. M Walters “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: Casuarinaceae to Aristolochiaceae” Cambridge University Press, 1989
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Clive Innes “Complete Handbook of Cacti and Succulents” Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 01/Dec/1981
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Cole, D. T. “Flowering stones” Acorn Books, Randburg. 1988
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Smith et al. “Mesembs of the World.” Briza.Pretoria 1998
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Leistner, O.A. (ed.), “Seed plants of southern Africa: families and genera” Strelitzia 10., National Botanical Institute, Pretoria 2000
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Achim Hecktheuer “Mesembs, mehr als nur Lithops” Books on Demand GmbH Norderstedt. 2008
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Cole “LITHOPS Flowering Stones” Cactus & Co. Libri. 2005
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Yasuhiko Shimada “The Genus Lithops” Dobun Shoin. 2001
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Rudolf Heine “Lithops - Lebende Steine” Neumann Verlag. 1986
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Bernd Schlösser “Lithops – Lebende Steine” Praktische Anleitung für die Zimmerkultur. BussinessPoint MEDIA. 2000
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Steven A. Hammer “Lithops – Treasures of the veld” British Cactus and Succulent Society. 1999
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David L. Sprechman “Lithops” Associated University Presses, Inc. 1970
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