Expert: Greg Simpson - 6/12/2006

Question
I bought some little cacti and succulents this weekend and was trying to identify/care for them.  One looks like chubby green bunny ears coming out of the dirt- it splits in the middle to form a v-shape,  and has no spines.  Do you know what this one is, how to care for it, and propegate it?

I also bought a tiger aloe, which has a little plant branching off the main one- can I take a cutting to start a new plant?  As for the others, how can I find pictures to identify my cacti?

Answer
Dear Carrie,

The chubby bunny ears sounds like a Lithops. If that is what you have, they are very difficult as they are extremely particular about watering. Check out this site for identification purposes and care. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Aizoaceae/Lithops.html

I believe the only way to propagate this plant is from seed.

The Aloe can be propagated by removing the "pup". Give it time to grow and form it own roots though. If it is too small, it will perish before it takes root.

All of the websites I know of, you will at least need to know the common name of the plant. The website I listed above will be very helpful in that regard. If you like, you can send me a picture of your plants and I will try to identify them. Send it to greg8365@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Greg