How to peel Lithops

Left and right retreat

The most general and normal method is that the small stones have enough time to absorb the moisture from the old skin. They generally will not become too small after peeling. It is normal for them to become a little smaller. They will become bigger than before after some care.

When Lithops is molting, there is no other way but to wait! There is no need to remove the old skin or do other actions, but more sun exposure can increase the speed of peeling.

Hat-off

Because the water was so high, the small stones absorbed the external moisture and suddenly burst and pushed up the old skin.

During the molting process, if the cap is still connected to the roots, please do not take it off and leave it for the small stones to continue absorbing nutrients. However, if the cap is completely separated from the roots, you can take it off, because the new leaves that are not connected to the roots will not absorb the moisture from the old bark, so it is useless to retain it and it will affect the growth of new leaves.

Caesarean section

Because it was too dry, it burst at the thinnest part of the root skin, or it might be because of too much water. After taking it off, I suddenly became much shorter. Even so, wait until the old skin becomes completely paper-like and do not pick it off.

Stable peeling

If it does not burst, the old skin will be directly absorbed by the new leaves and become paper-like. Stones with small seams or certain varieties have a tendency to peel steadily. Do not use tools or your hands to peel off the thin layer of old skin for fear of damaging the surface of the new leaves. The next time you water it, the new leaves will absorb the water and the old skin will burst open.

Lithops 2

The skin may shed 2-3 times within a year. Generally, children over 1 year old only shed once a year. However, if the skin sheds again within a short period of time after the first shed, or a new skin sheds before the old skin that shed the first time is completely healed, it is considered as secondary shedding.

In this case, the first layer of old skin can be removed manually, leaving only the second layer of old skin for the small stones to absorb. But try not to touch it. Just give it enough time and its old skin will slowly fade away.