Lithops

Lithops description

A plant such as lithops is often called a living stone. The fact is that this plant can grow under the conditions of rocky deserts, and if you do not pay enough attention, you can confuse this plant with a stone, due to its appearance and small size and is able to repeat the color of the surface on which it grows. The most interesting thing is that this plant can bloom. But the question may arise: is it possible to grow this plant at home? The genus Lithops directly belongs to the Mesembriantemovy or Aizov family. Today you can count about 40 varieties of this genus, so it can be quite difficult to say with accuracy to which species a particular plant belongs. This is due to the fact that color or other characteristics tend to change and are directly dependent on where this plant grows. In the wild, this plant can be found in the desert regions of Southwest and South Africa. The plant can grow even where other plants cannot survive.

The plant tends to tolerate large changes in temperature. most often, in those places where this plant grows, daytime temperatures can reach +50 degrees, and at night they drop very much. The plant prefers scree, granite chips, southern slopes, clay and very hard soil. As we said a little earlier, the color of the plant can be different, depending on the soil on which each particular type of plant grows. leaves can be from brown or purple to green or gray in color. The plant has a pair of fleshy leaves, which can be either flat or convex. Often different patterns and spots can be seen on the surface. each has its own specific patterns and spots. The flowers are quite large (2-4 cm in diameter), their size exceeds the size of the plant itself. the flower begins to fade after 10 days. In the spring, you can see 2 new leaves that replace the old ones. It is also important that you can grow such living stones at home. Caring for them is similar to caring for cacti. But those who are already growing this plant at home recommend growing them in a group, and not individually.

Lithops care

In caring for a plant, the most important thing to pay attention to is: The soil should be poor, stony and permeable.

The plant needs systematic ventilation.

To grow a plant, the place must be sunny.

Watering should be sparse.

You can also add other varieties to the container to the plant, but only this should not be to the detriment of the growth and development of living stones. The plant is very slow growing and needs poor watering. Therefore, you can plant a cactus, euphorbia (not all varieties), plants that belong to the Asphodelic family (gasteria and haworthia) or to the Aizov family (faucaria, conophytum). Such a planting, consisting of different plants, can be of great benefit to Lithops, because if you add a lot of water, then cacti or small things can fix the situation.

Choosing a place.

Due to the fact that the homeland of the plant is the desert, where there is a lot of sun, then where to grow a plant at home will not be difficult for you. Undoubtedly, it is best to grow the plant on the windowsill on the south side of the house. You do not need to unfold the container with the plant, because an important prerequisite for setting buds is orientation to the sun, which will not change.

Temperature.

The plant can tolerate quite high temperatures.in summer, the most optimal temperature regime is +22 +25 degrees, during the rest period - +12 +15 degrees. But the temperature should not be allowed to drop to +5 +7 degrees. A situation may also arise when the plant can overheat in the sun even in a very hot period of time. The whole point is that in the wild, the root system can descend a sufficient distance in search of coolness. Of course, being in a separate container, the plant will not have such an opportunity and the roots will begin to overheat.

Watering.

When the plant is in a period of active growth, then you need to water it - 2 times a month. when there is a dormant period (January-March), the plant does not need watering. If the room in which the plants are grown is very warm and dry, then you can water the plant once a month. after the buds are laid, it is not worth watering. The plant is able to tolerate dry soil well, but excessive watering can negatively affect the root system of the plant. the soil of the plant will be wet for a long period of time, then the plant may begin to rot. But you cannot immediately understand this, the plant will suddenly begin to dry out and wrinkle. The plant needs proper watering. Watering the plant is necessary rarely, but abundantly. After watering the plant, you need to pay attention to the fact that the soil becomes moist. But excess moisture should come out as quickly as possible through the drainage holes of the container. The moisture that remains in the sand and stones will be able to quench the thirst of the plant for a long time. many say that when watering Lithops, you need to make sure that water does not get on the leaves of the plant. but this is not true. The water that remains on the leaves can harm them only if the plant is grown on the south side of the house, a burn may occur. The thing is that this plant in the wild, grows on rocks that are located near the coasts, which means that heavy fog is possible at night.

Soil mixture.

The soil must be water and breathable. In order to create the necessary soil mixture, it is necessary to mix the following ingredients: Deciduous soil.

Brick chips (red).

Coarse sand.

Small pebbles.

Granite chips.

The soil mixture must be poor, as it must contain a large amount of sand. At the bottom of the container and its surface, a layer must be laid using small stones. At the bottom, they will perform a drainage function, and on the surface, they will protect against the appearance of rot on the root collar, and will also be able to provide a good level of ventilation.

Humidity level.

Lithops is able to tolerate low humidity levels well. The plant does not need spraying, but needs constant ventilation, otherwise rot may appear.

Fertilizer introduction.

It is not worth fertilizing within 1 year after planting the plant. Fertilizers need to be applied in June-September - once a month. special fertilizers for cacti are well suited - half of the dose indicated in the instructions. But this is only if there was no new plant transplant.

Lithops during the resting period.

The dormant period begins after flowering ends - the end of autumn. Lasts until the onset of spring. There is no need to water Lithops at this time. During the period, the plant should be stored in a dry and sunny place. After the dormant period ends and the growth and development of the plant begins again, the poly should be resumed, but everything should be done gradually, not immediately. Those leaves that have become old and turned yellow begin to slide down, new ones appear in their place. It is not recommended to remove old foliage yourself, even if they are very dry.

We make a transplant.

To carry out a transplant only if it is absolutely necessary, if, for example, the plant has become a small container in which it is grown.Roots can grow at a very fast rate, filling the entire container completely. When transplanting, thin roots can be easily damaged. Do not touch the thick root. The growing container should be moderately deep - at least 10 cm high. This is due to the fact that in the wild, the root system of the plant can go to a great depth. It is also not worth using a low, but wide capacity for growing a plant.

Lithops reproduction

You can use the seed propagation method. Seeds begin to appear after the end of the flowering period and appear as small fruits. After sowing the seeds, they need to be removed to a warm room - the temperature is +22 +25 degrees. You can use the Internet services and order seeds from experienced florists. You can also use young shoots for propagation, which are separated from the main plant. those fruits that will be formed are best left on the plant itself until you notice the appearance of small leaves. Field of which they are collected and removed to a dark and dry place for a period of 4-6 months. Then you can sow them. Before sowing seeds, they will need to be soaked in water for 3-6 hours. After sowing, the container must be covered with glass. Crops will need to be regularly sprayed and ventilated. It is also important that the air temperature during the day is +25 +28 degrees. The picking procedure should be carried out 1 year after the first shoots appear, for this the beginning of the spring period is suitable.

Insect pests

In the winter period, you can see the appearance of a worm. Therefore, when the active growth of the plant begins, it will be necessary to process it with the help of special means.