How to grow living stones? Learn these methods to grow them easily

Living stones are Lithops, succulent plants of the genus Lithops in the family Aizoaceae. They look like buttocks, split into two halves, with flowers blooming in the middle, white or yellow. So, how to grow living stones?

1. Propagation

Lithops can be propagated by sowing seeds or dividing offsets. Sowing is the common propagation method, usually carried out in spring from April to May. When sowing, plant the seeds in a flower pot; after sowing there is no need to cover them with soil, then water by the soak-pot method; do not water directly. They will sprout after about half a month.

2. Soil

Lithops are best grown in loose, breathable, neutral sandy loam soil. If the soil is not breathable enough, the plants may rot. You can mix 2 parts humus soil with 3 parts coarse river sand or vermiculite, or grow them in artificial materials such as akadama soil and send soil.

3. Temperature

Lithops like a warm environment and are afraid of low temperatures. The sowing temperature should be between 15-25°C, and the growing temperature should be between 15-30°C. High summer temperatures will cause slow or stopped growth, and low winter temperatures may cause frost damage.

4. Light

Lithops like an environment with plenty of sunlight, but are afraid of strong direct sun. In summer, do not place them outdoors in direct sunlight; use shade material to block part of the sunlight. In winter, place them indoors with plenty of light; in spring and autumn, they can be exposed to direct sunlight.

5. Watering

When watering Lithops, follow the principle of “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do”. That is, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering, and water thoroughly, but do not let water accumulate. Do not water on rainy days, and especially avoid rain exposure. February to April is their skin-shedding period, so watering should be controlled.

6. Fertilizing

Lithops do not need much nutrition. Apply a thin, decomposed liquid fertilizer about once every 20 days. February to April is their skin-shedding period; at this time fertilization should be stopped, and once skin shedding is basically finished, apply a compound fertilizer once.

7. Pest and disease control

The main diseases of Lithops are leaf spot and leaf rot, and the pests include ants and root-knot nematodes. For diseases, you can spray a 600-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder; for pests, you can control them by changing the soil and using the pot-in-pot water-isolation method.