1. The plants always seem to have dried out roots at the store. I should ruthlessly pull off all of the fine roots and just leave what seems like the taproot? I worry about doing this.

2. Non organic soil, hopefully quick draining and drying. I read that since they have fine roots, they don't like too coarse of soil. When I look at pics it seems like people keep them in coarse sand, but then that doesn't dry out as fast. I've switched to a very coarse mix, but I think I may be overdoing it.

3. Pot size. One or two is small pot? A small group in a larger shallow pot? Crowded somewhat? Solitary? With small pots I can move them creatively to get the best light.

4. Watering always seems an issue. Don't water in summer. Don't water in winter. Don't water it seems like ever but then don't let them dry out either. Mist them mostly? What should the watering schedule be (in the Northern Hemisphere)? What months are the worst to water?

Even drops of water seemed to kill some plants last November-December, so I got scared of any watering during winter. Even with no watering my plants did not absorb the leaves last year.

Thanks for any help.

The answer to question 1 is, Yes, without the ruthlessness. Just gently pinch and pull away the fine stuff with your fingernails after washing the soil away. Rinse again and let it heal in the outdoor shade for a couple days. I've admittedly lost some doing this but the ones that have adjusted successfully are my happiest plants. Here's an example that should also answer your question about pot size.

The above link from 1gteacher, www.lithops.info, has lots of good information but some of it is a bit too generalized. The dormancy, growth period and watering requirements can vary quite a bit depending on where you live. I'm on the coast and experience only a very short dormancy.

In more arid climates (AZ,NM), your soil can contain more fines and clay to resist drying out too quickly. Here, I use a gritty mix with SOME fines but mostly grit with the bigger chunks sifted out. Living in the marine layer, things stay wet longer.

If you only gave your Lithops "drops of water" last winter, that's probably what killed them. They were in growth and needed some deeper moisture, not a soaking, just a decent misting. The taproot will dry up and then it's over.

I could go on and on but the best thing is to direct you to the world's leading expert, Steven Hammer. Click the link for some great info.

I'll also include this link you can copy and paste...

http://www.littlesphaeroid.com/

This site also has some good info that's worth a read.

http://www.aizoaceae.info/joomla/

You might also be able to find his book "Lithops, Treasures of the Veld" available for download somewhere on the interwebs. That's how I got it but can't remember where.

If you can soak up lots of info on Mesembs, you'll be better able to read them and act accordingly based on your own conditions. If you really like them, don't be afraid to lose a few. It's one of the best ways to learn.

Furthermore, growing them from seed will fill in all the blanks.

Good luck!

Says it all hanzrobo and when you included link to Hammertime you said it very well.

That skull pot would be be good for some brains. I always like brain-like Lithops. That big pink one on top was the best brain that I could find.

Any of these types easier to grow? Harder?

Brain collections.