How to Care for Lithops in Winter and Precautions for Lithops in Summer
Most people are certainly familiar with Lithops, and it can now be seen in many parts of our country. Lithops has high ornamental value, so many people like to grow it. However, during the process of growing it, care differs depending on the season, so the maintenance methods for different seasons are essential skills to master.
How to Care for Lithops in Winter
1. Winter care for Lithops mainly falls into two situations: one is the northern region, and the other is the southern region. The reason for this division is that the climate differs between north and south and cannot be lumped together. Although the north is cold, because indoor heating is available, care is relatively simple. Most of the south has no heating, but the temperature is slightly higher and the humidity is also higher, making care more difficult than in the north.
2. Let's start with the northern region. In places with heating, normal care is fine, as it is precisely the growing season. If there is no heating, then first you need to ensure that the minimum ambient temperature does not fall below -5°C (temperature is the lifeline), and you must stop watering, placing it in a sunny spot.
3. In the southern region, in some areas north of the Yangtze River, there is no heating in winter and it is also very cold. In this situation, the care method is the same as in the northern region without heating: basically stop watering plus provide light and insulation.
Precautions for Lithops in Summer
1. In summer, Lithops enters a dormant period, which fellow growers are all very clear about. To ensure the safety of the plants, most growers appropriately control watering for them. Because of the lack of moisture, Lithops in summer all look wrinkled. But fellow growers need to know that at temperatures below 30°C, they can appropriately supplement some water for the plants. However, when the temperature exceeds 30°C, fellow growers must stop watering, to prevent the Lithops roots from rotting.
2. Although Lithops is native to Africa, the environment in which they grow is not that hot. In summer, fellow growers cannot place them outdoors in the scorching midday sun, otherwise the plants will easily be dried out. To ensure the safety of the plants, fellow growers still need to provide shade for them, to prevent the Lithops leaves from being scorched.
3. In order for Lithops to get through summer better and avoid turning to mush, fellow growers should ventilate in a timely manner, otherwise the plants are very prone to mold infection. Fellow growers can place the Lithops on a ventilated balcony, so that the plants will not have problems. If there is no wind, fellow growers also need to use an electric fan to provide some cool breeze, so that the plants can safely pass the summer.
Root Trimming Methods and Precautions for Lithops
Method: Give the roots a heavy trim. First cut off all the roots in one go, keeping a length of about 1cm, then remove all the fibrous roots, keeping only the strongest main root. Let it dry in a cool, ventilated place for one week, and then it can be planted. When trimming the roots, keep 1——2, which can ensure the plant does not fall over. When potting up, note that the soil must not be too fine, and do not water too much.
Precautions: Trimming the roots of Lithops is to help it survive better. What needs attention is that the fibrous roots generally need to be cut off, otherwise they may cause the roots to rot. Trimming part of the main root can promote the sprouting of more fibrous roots. When trimming the roots, it needs to be dried for a few days before potting up, which can avoid rotting from pathogen infection. When potting up, ensure the soil is breathable, and add some nutrients at the roots. First bury the roots well, then fix the lower half of the body in place.
Causes and Treatment of Stunted Growth in Lithops
Causes: Lithops becoming stunted is mainly due to damage to the roots, which prevents them from normally absorbing water and nutrients. Because of long-term lack of nutrients, the plant stops growing. Generally, for seedlings, when the soil is dry and then watered, or after external stimuli such as sunlight and temperature, the roots will instinctively protect themselves, and this leads to stunted growth.
Treatment: As stated above, Lithops becomes stunted because the roots cannot absorb nutrients, so it is much simpler. Changing the soil and transplanting the seedlings is currently the most effective method. But this method is not 100% effective. Each Lithops grows differently; some have been stunted for a long time and sometimes cannot be saved. Moreover, everyone's transplanting technique differs, so whether it can be saved depends on your own skill.
Lithops still has a certain cold resistance. In winter, it should be watered in moderation, and light should also be actively provided. Summer is the dormant period for Lithops; at this time, be sure to water and fertilize less, otherwise it may cause the plant to die!