Lithops repotting and potting-on precautions and watering methods

Lithops is a special succulent; its shape is like little colored stones, in irregular forms, and it blooms, with flowers generally in orange and white. Lithops is now loved by many people, who grow it. But in the process of growing it, there are also many things to know about.

Precautions for repotting and potting on lithops

1. Lithops grows in the cool period and goes dormant in the hot period, so it is a winter-growing type. Therefore, the time for repotting lithops should be chosen from the end of the dormant season to the beginning of the growing season. The time for repotting lithops should differ from region to region. In northern regions, repot in autumn; in the south, delay accordingly by 1-2 months.

2. When repotting lithops, first shake off the old soil from the roots, use scissors to trim away the small fine branches, leave the main root 0.5 cm, and at the same time cut off the dry old roots and rotted roots, trying not to damage the hair roots; place in a dry, ventilated spot to air for 3-5 days, and pot up only after the wounds have dried and healed. First spread a layer of large-particle substrate on the bottom of the pot, such as coal cinders, pumice, LECA, etc., to increase drainage and water permeability, then fill with soil. The potting soil should be a freshly prepared growing mix, which can be made by mixing 1 part humus soil, 1 part vermiculite, 1 part bonsai soil, 1 part fine akadama, and a small amount of bone meal, thiophanate-methyl and other fungicides (or rice husk charcoal); this substrate is loose and airy, drains well, is nutrient-rich, and has a relatively coarse particle size.

3. At this point, fill the soil to 4/5 of the full pot, use tweezers (round-tipped ones are preferable; pointed ones easily scratch the plant and cause infection) to hold the roots and insert them into the potting soil, letting the roots sink into the soil; for the remaining 1/5 of the space, you can spread small stones or other granules according to your preference, which is both attractive and splash-proof. Then place it in a semi-shaded, ventilated spot, and do not rush to water. Wait until the old skin becomes thin and brittle due to growth and development and can be gently removed with tweezers, and only then may you water.

How to water lithops

1. In winter and spring, the potting soil should be moist. Entering late autumn and early winter, northern regions begin heating, and the indoor temperature feels like an 'Indian summer'; at this time lithops grows joyfully. Observe the dry and wet condition of the potting soil frequently, and especially distinguish between pot size and how fast drainage is. Water once the surface soil is dry, until water seeps out from the bottom of the pot. If the substrate drains too well, you can use the soak-and-sit method, but sitting the pot to absorb water often causes salt to accumulate on the soil surface, so use it as little as possible. If the potting soil is too dry during this period, lithops flowers will be small and dull in color, and the seed set rate after flowering will also be very low. From December onward, as the temperature drops, just keep the potting soil on the dry side, but do not ignore factors such as drier weather, indoor heating, and faster water evaporation. As for January, you must begin protecting against freezing; when watering, pay attention to water temperature and air temperature to avoid the water freezing. In mid-February, it is already early spring, the temperature rises, and the sunshine is bright; lithops should get more sun, and watering returns to the state of the Start of Winter, mainly by the flood-the-pot method. But at this time most plants have new leaves beginning to split, so do not splash water onto the leaf opening when watering, as this easily causes lithops rot. After February, just ensure the potting soil is moist.

2. Strengthen watering in autumn. After the Start of Autumn, the weather gradually cools; non-dormant and semi-dormant lithops regain vitality, and dormant lithops also begin to revive. At this time the plants are relatively fragile, so do not water immediately. Use the misting method, but increase the amount gradually. After mid-September, most species begin to grow, and then begin watering, but with slightly longer intervals between times. After National Day, begin deep watering, fertilizing, and foliar feeding, so that the potting soil is damp but not wet. After mid-October, plants that have been cared for for four or five years or more begin to show flower buds. Entering November, lithops blooms one after another.

Fertilizing tips for lithops

1. Method of fertilizing with fruit peel soaked in water: This method suits all friends, and orange peel among fruits has the best effect; the making method is also very simple. Each year in spring and winter, collect the orange peel left from eating oranges, chop it up, put it into a bottle, pour in clean water at a ratio of about 3/2 clean water to 1/3 orange peel, then seal it well and place it in the sun for about half a month, after which it can be used. One bottle of orange peel water plus the same bottle of clean water is fine; fertilize about once every half a month. 2. Method of fertilizing with potassium dihydrogen phosphate: This fertilizer is sprayed on the surface of the plants, but it should be sprayed after September and stopped in early June of the following year, once every 10 or 15 days.

Pest and disease control for lithops

1. Leaf spot disease. Start spraying from the early stage of the disease to prevent the disease from spreading and expanding. Commonly used agents include 20% silazole, prochloraz 1000-fold solution, etc.

2. Leaf rot disease. It can be sprayed with 65% zineb wettable powder 600-fold solution. Pests include ants and root-knot nematodes; use the soil-changing method to reduce nematode damage.

3. For ants, you can use the double-pot method to isolate water when caring for them, so that ants cannot climb onto the tender, juicy bulbous leaves.

When repotting lithops, you must pay attention to pruning techniques, then carry out the soil ratio, and then repot at the right time; only in this way can you ensure its survival rate. When watering lithops, you must pay attention to the season. The watering method also differs somewhat from season to season, so everyone should learn more about it.