How to Plant Lithops Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods
Lithops is a small perennial succulent plant of the genus Lithops in the family Aizoaceae, native to southern and southwestern Africa. It prefers a climate that is warm in winter and cool in summer, and likes warm, dry, sunny environments. It is sensitive to low temperatures and dislikes strong light. It likes plenty of sunshine, with an optimal growth temperature of 10-30°C, and does best in loose, breathable, neutral sandy loam soil. Now let us take a look at how to plant Lithops seeds!
Sowing Time for Lithops
Lithops can easily be hand-pollinated. If two separate plants bloom at the same time, the seeds will mature in about 9 months. In China, the main sowing season is after September in autumn. Of course, they can also be sown in winter or spring. Generally, the best temperature is controlled at 12 to 15°C at night and 24 to 27°C during the day.
Potting Soil Mix for Lithops
1. Pot and soil selection: For sowing Lithops, use a shallow pot 6-8 cm deep. Either clay or plastic pots will do. Leave a distance of 1-2 cm between the soil surface and the rim of the pot. The sowing soil should be loose, breathable, and good at retaining water. Generally, the main ingredients include nutrient soil, peat soil, akadama soil, kanuma soil, charcoal granules (for aeration), rice husk charcoal (for aeration), and 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: Mix the main and auxiliary ingredients for the Lithops potting soil and then sift it. Place the larger granules at the bottom and the finer granules on top. Sprinkle a thin layer of fine granular soil about 1 mm thick on the surface. For sterilization, use a microwave on medium power and medium temperature for five minutes. You can also use boiling water to soak the pot, 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 disinfects the seeds at the same time as sowing, though the concentration should be slightly higher.
Sowing Methods for Lithops
1. Sowing method: Lithops seeds are very small. When sowing, carefully and evenly scatter them on the soil surface. Do not cover them with soil. The seeds should be sown somewhat densely; never sow just a few seeds in a large pot. Sowing is best done on a sunny day. Do not sow in cloudy or rainy weather. If continuous cloudy and rainy weather occurs after sowing, germination will be delayed.
2. Sowing management: After sowing Lithops, you can cover the pot with a piece of glass. During high daytime temperatures, you can lift a corner, and cover it well at night. Maintain humidity at 80%. At the same time, place the pot in a warm, humid spot where it can receive sunlight. Above 30°C, shade is needed. Seeds generally begin to germinate in 3 days, while some varieties' seeds may take about half a month to germinate. The germination period ends in about one month. After germination, special attention must be paid to management so they can grow well.
Seedling Stage Management for Lithops
1. Light management: After Lithops seeds germinate, the glass can be removed. Newly germinated seedlings have a high demand for sunlight and should be moved promptly to a place with ample but not too intense sunlight. Sunlight can help keep the seedlings compact. If there is insufficient light during the germination period, the seedlings will become thin and leggy, and they will not be compacted back by light until after their first shedding. At midday, when the sunlight is intense, shading is needed. After the seeds germinate, the roots of the seedlings are easily exposed, so they need to be buried back into the soil promptly.
2. Fertilizer and water management: During the one-month germination period, keep the Lithops potting soil quite wet. After the seeds have germinated and come up fully, reduce the water but be sure to keep the soil moist. When the potting soil is slightly moist, it needs to be soaked from below. Soaking is generally done until thoroughly wet, and a certain container can be used to measure a set amount. Fertilizing is done 1-2 months after the seeds germinate. The fertilizer should be extremely dilute and can be applied as if watering, using the soaking method to fertilize. If you are not confident, please do not rush to fertilize. The nutrients in the soil are enough for it to grow for a period of time.
3. Shedding management: About three to four months after the seeds germinate, the seedlings will 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 be careful with sunlight and watering. Sunlight is necessary, and water should be appropriately reduced. In this way, it will not take long for the new plant to absorb the water from the old skin. Once the skin has completely dried up, you can water again. Soon, the small patterned plants will emerge from the old skin like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon.