June - July continued
Most Lithops and many other mesembs will be in growth by now so they will need watering and maybe feeding. Lithops do not require a great deal of fertilizer so whether or not you feed them at this time depends on whether they were repotted during the winter. If they were they will not need feeding; if they were not, dilute feed can be given between now and the flowering season. If Lithops are overfed they are likely to grow over large and out of character. Some Conophytums particularly those with small bodies should be watered lightly to prevent excessive shrivelling - the bilobes can be left for a while yet otherwise unnatural double leaf pairs may result. Some growers advocate a rest from watering for Haworthias during the summer. This will help to develop the natural red colours in the leaves but, if you prefer them green carry on watering and partly shade the plants.
Finally if you are going to enter any of the shows now is the time to make your selections and to clean up the plants and pots remove any unsightly flower remains and give them some new top dressing.
