How to grow Lithops well? An introduction to the latest cultivation methods

Lithops, also known as stone flower, stone grass, butt flower and so on, is a small perennial succulent of the genus Lithops in the family Aizoaceae, native to southern and southwestern Africa, commonly found in rock crevices and gravel, shaped like colorful stones, rich in color, small and exquisite, and enjoys the fine reputation of “living stones”. Now let us take a look together at how to grow Lithops well!

Growth habits of Lithops

Lithops likes a warm winter and cool summer climate, and prefers a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight. It fears low temperatures and avoids strong light. It likes ample sunlight. The suitable growth temperature is 10-30°C. It is best grown in loose, breathable, neutral sandy loam. Remember to reduce water appropriately in winter and summer to help with molting. Common varieties include Lithops verruculosa, Lithops pseudotruncatella, Lithops aucampiae, Lithops dinteri, Lithops salicola, Lithops gracilidelineata and so on.

Propagation methods of Lithops

1. Sowing: Lithops is sown in spring from April to May. Because the seeds are tiny, indoor pot sowing is generally used. After sowing, there is no need to cover with soil, otherwise it cannot germinate. When the potting soil is dry, the soaking-pot method should be used for watering. Never water directly, so as not to wash away the seeds. The sowing temperature is 15-25°C. Germination occurs about half a month after sowing. Seedlings need 2-3 years to bloom.

2. Division: Every spring, Lithops grows new fleshy leaves from the gap in the middle, splitting the old leaves open, and the old leaves then shrink and die. The new leaves grow rapidly, and by summer they shrink and split open again, and 2-3 small new plants grow from the gap. The young plants can then be divided and planted separately.

How to grow Lithops well?

1. Soil: Lithops is not very strict about environmental conditions, and cultivation and management are relatively easy. The potting soil can be prepared by mixing 4 parts leaf mold, 3 parts calcareous material (shell powder, eggshell powder, old lime wall debris, etc.) and 3 parts river sand evenly.

2. Watering: Lithops needs more water during the growing period, but it must not be too wet, as moss is likely to grow and affect the normal growth of the spherical leaves.

3. Sunlight: In summer, keep Lithops in a semi-shaded place for care, or shade it by 50%, and the leaf color will become more beautiful. In spring and autumn, because the temperature is not very high, it should be given direct sunlight to help it carry out photosynthesis and accumulate nutrients. In winter, keep it indoors in a place with bright light.

4. Temperature: The most suitable growth temperature for Lithops is 15-25°C. It fears high temperature and stuffiness, and enters a dormant state in summer when the severe heat reaches above 33°C. It avoids cold and frost, and the overwintering temperature needs to be kept above 10°C. In winter, when the temperature drops below 7°C, it also enters a dormant state. If the ambient temperature approaches 4°C, it will die from frost injury.

5. Fertilizing: Lithops needs fertilizing once every half month, but the fertilizer solution must never stain the spherical leaves. Stop fertilizing after flowering in autumn.

6. Pests and diseases: Lithops mainly suffers from leaf spot disease and leaf rot disease, which can be sprayed with 65% zineb wettable powder at 600 times dilution. Pests include ants and root-knot nematodes. Changing the soil can reduce nematode damage. To prevent ants, double-pot water isolation can be used for care, so that ants cannot climb onto the tender, juicy spherical leaves.

Precautions for growing Lithops

1. When repotting Lithops, the plant needs to be removed from the soil, part of the soil shaken off, and care should be taken not to damage the fine roots. Dead old roots can be cut off.

2. When Lithops is molting, it is generally not recommended to peel off the skin, because some people lack experience and may injure the seedlings, so the operation should be done cautiously.

3. The watering time for Lithops is generally in the evening. Do not water when the temperature is relatively high, so as to avoid a sudden temperature drop harming the plant.

4. The soil for growing Lithops should be breathable, and a ventilated state should also be maintained. At the same time, in midsummer, do not move Lithops around at will, so as to avoid causing changes in the environment.