Definitely wait until others get back to you, since I’m no expert on conos, but if you’ve grown lithops they’re basically the inverse. So since we’re heading into winter the plants should be watered a bit more and look similar to your second picture. Pretty sure when summer comes round you stop watering them and let the old leaves dry up as a sheath to protect the new leaves inside.
You could look online for a guide. OzLithops, who sell conophytum in Australia might have some tips on their website.
But definitely wait for some others to reply. There’s some talented cono growers here…
mrinsane19
Aussie grower, a couple of years into conos but still learning.
Water it! Buttt…. Be very very cautious with fertilizer (ie don’t). I currently water mine every 2 weeks or so, depending on how wrinkled they look.
Conos are a bit tricky as they need to go through their seasonal cycle correctly.
Resume watering, you’ll split the outer bodies but you’ll find new bodies inside. Let the outer bodies dry completely before you try pull them away. Going in to next summer, you need to water much less. Normally the outer body would dry out over summer and split more readily in the spring, it’ll be a little different this year but next year should be better :-)
mesembry
How long have you had it? Wondering if those are this seasons leaves or if it’s still trying to sheathe over from last season. Conos have an annual cycle that must be respected if they’re to grow typically.
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Definitely wait until others get back to you, since I’m no expert on conos, but if you’ve grown lithops they’re basically the inverse. So since we’re heading into winter the plants should be watered a bit more and look similar to your second picture. Pretty sure when summer comes round you stop watering them and let the old leaves dry up as a sheath to protect the new leaves inside.
You could look online for a guide. OzLithops, who sell conophytum in Australia might have some tips on their website.
But definitely wait for some others to reply. There’s some talented cono growers here…
Aussie grower, a couple of years into conos but still learning.
Water it! Buttt…. Be very very cautious with fertilizer (ie don’t). I currently water mine every 2 weeks or so, depending on how wrinkled they look.
Conos are a bit tricky as they need to go through their seasonal cycle correctly.
Resume watering, you’ll split the outer bodies but you’ll find new bodies inside. Let the outer bodies dry completely before you try pull them away. Going in to next summer, you need to water much less. Normally the outer body would dry out over summer and split more readily in the spring, it’ll be a little different this year but next year should be better :-)
How long have you had it? Wondering if those are this seasons leaves or if it’s still trying to sheathe over from last season. Conos have an annual cycle that must be respected if they’re to grow typically.