When should you sow Lithops seeds? Potting soil mix and points to note

Lithops is the general term for all plants in the genus Lithops of the family Aizoaceae, order Caryophyllales. Its unusual form and brilliant flowers lead many enthusiasts to collect and grow it specially, and it has high ornamental value. So, when should you sow succulent Lithops seeds? How should the potting soil be mixed? What needs attention?

1. When should you sow succulent Lithops seeds?

Lithops can easily be hand-pollinated; if two separate species bloom at the same time, the seeds mature after about 9 months. The main sowing season in China is after September in autumn; of course, you can also sow in winter or spring. Generally, the best temperature is 12 to 15°C at night and 24 to 27°C during the day.

2. How should the Lithops potting soil be mixed?

1. Choosing the pot and soil: For sowing Lithops, use a shallow pot 6 to 8 cm deep; either clay or plastic pots will do, and leave a distance of 1 to 2 cm between the soil surface and the rim of the pot. The sowing soil should be loose, airy and have good water retention. The main ingredients are generally nutrient soil, peat soil, akadama, kanuma, charcoal granules (for aeration), rice husk charcoal (for aeration), plant ash (containing various nutrients and trace elements), etc. The auxiliary ingredients include hard coal cinders, coarse sand, perlite, vermiculite, fine pumice, etc.

2. Soil treatment: After mixing the main and auxiliary ingredients of the Lithops potting soil, sift it; put the larger granules at the bottom and the finer granules on top, then scatter a thin layer of fine granular soil about 1 mm thick over the surface. For sterilization, use a microwave on medium power and medium temperature for five minutes. You can also soak the pot with boiling water, supplying water from the bottom of the pot to soak it through; once the soil is completely soaked, you can sow. You can also use potassium permanganate for the soaking, which sterilizes the seeds at the same time as sowing, though the concentration should be slightly higher.

3. What needs attention during care?

1. Light management: After the Lithops seeds germinate, you can remove the glass pane. Newly germinated seedlings have a high demand for sunlight, so move them promptly to a place with plenty of light that is not too intense. Sunlight can help keep the seedlings compact; if light is insufficient during the germination period, the seedlings will grow thin and leggy, and they can only be compacted again with light after their first shedding. When the midday sun is intense, shading is needed. After the seeds germinate, the roots of the seedlings are easily exposed, so bury them back into the soil promptly.

2. Fertilizer and water management: Keep the Lithops potting soil quite wet during the one-month germination period. After the seeds have germinated and come up evenly, reduce the water but be sure to keep the potting soil moist. When the potting soil is slightly moist, you need to soak the pot; soaking is generally done until thoroughly wet, and a certain container can be used to measure the amount. Fertilizing is done 1 to 2 months after the seeds germinate; the fertilizer must be extremely dilute and can be applied as if watering, using the soaking method to fertilize. If you are not confident, do not rush to fertilize; the nutrients in the soil are enough for it to grow for a while.

3. Shedding management: About three to four months after the seeds germinate, the Lithops seedlings begin their first shedding. At this time, you can shine a flashlight on the seedlings and clearly see an obvious shadow. Then you need to pay attention to sunlight and watering: sunlight is necessary, and water should be appropriately reduced. In this way, before long the new plant absorbs the moisture of the old skin, and once the skin has completely dried up you can water again. Soon the little patterned plant will break out of the old skin like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.