This species comes from the vicinity of Pofadder (Bushmanland) in South Africa, with a type locality 15km north of Pofadder (C124). Another Cole collection (C300) is also found at the same locality but differs by having red lines with mustard-coloured borders. According to Jainta, this name is now a synonym of Lithops dinteri. It was first collected by Mrs Aletta Helena Eksteen in 1935 and named for Dr Dorothea van Huyssteen.
Lithops dorotheae has a yellowish brown body, distinctly mottled with clearly defined reddish brown window, and grows on fine-grained quartz and feldspar rock containing feldspathic quartzite. The islands on the windows are variable and can be few to many, small to large, irregular, and are usually sharply defined. Markings in the windows and channels are usually numerous bold regular lines, dots, hooks and stars, sometimes connected into a broken network. The margins and islands come in various shades of opaque creamy, yellowish or pinkish beige, sometimes tinged with green. The windows and channels are in various shades of translucent grey, brown, reddish green or greenish grey. The flowers are yellow and appear in mid-autumn.
To grow this species well (and indeed all Lithops) an open, mineral-based and fast-draining mix, and the maximum amount of light you are able to give them are essential. Follow this regime and you cannot go wrong: stop watering after flowering, then begin watering again after the old leaves are completely dry, which is usually in late March or early April. Water freely during the growing season, soak the compost fully but allow it to dry out between waterings, and don’t water when cold. Fertilizer can be used occasionally but too much can result in plump and unnatural-looking plants. Keep them dry during the winter. Most problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when the weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. A position in full sun is best. Propagation is by seeds.
Text and photos by Al Laius
No part of this article may be reproduced without permission. Copyright BCSS & the Author 2024
