Lithops are charming crumbs that have adapted to survive where other plants are not found at a distance of hundreds of kilometers. The birthplace of "living stones" are the rocky deserts of the south and southeast of the African continent. You can grow lithops at home, but in order to achieve flowering and long life, you need to follow a number of rules.
Plant description
Lithops is a succulent perennial with a very developed root system. Its volume is several times larger than the terrestrial part of the plant. Tenacious roots are able to gain a foothold on any rock or among a placer of stones. Above the ground are 2 small fleshy leaves. They have a dense skin and a flat surface. This appearance was formed due to the need for camouflage. There is very little food in the desert, so any juicy, swaying greens run the risk of being eaten quickly. From a distance, lithops can be mistaken for ordinary pebbles, in which even the color is similar to neighboring pebbles.
The height of the thick leaflets is 2-5 cm. They are separated by a transverse strip and slightly diverging to the sides. By color, living stones are green, bluish, brown, purple. Sometimes on the skin there is a slight pattern or relief of curving lines. Over time, the old pair of leaves shrinks and dries, and young leaves appear from the hollow.
At the end of August, the hollow between the leaves begins to expand slightly and a small flower is shown from it. In structure, it is similar to cactus flowers and has many narrow petals of yellow or white color. The divided petals converge in the center into a narrow elongated tube. Flowering lasts up to two weeks. Moreover, the open flower often exceeds the diameter of the plant itself.
Types of lithops
In the genus of lithops, 37 species are registered. Many of them are found in culture, but flower shops rarely delight with variety. Therefore, flower growers are looking for interesting samples in online stores and on thematic forums.
Lithops olive green. Fleshy leaves of malachite color grow together almost to the very top. Their diameter does not exceed 2 cm. Rare whitish spots are located on the surface of the leaves. In early autumn, a yellow flower appears.
Lithops optics. The leaves, separated almost from the base, have a more rounded shape and are painted in light green or grayish color. There are varieties with purple leaves. The height of the plant is 2 cm.
Lithops Aucamp. A plant 3-4 cm high is covered with gray-green skin. On the surface is a darker, brownish spot. Blooms in yellow flowers with a diameter of up to 4 cm.
Lithops Leslie. A tiny plant with a height of only 1-2 cm has bright green leaves, which in the upper part are covered with a darker, marbled pattern. Blooms in white fragrant flowers.
Lithops marble. The leaves are gray in color with a darker marble pattern at the top. The plant expands upward and has a smooth, rounded shape. Blooms in white flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm.
Lithops are brownish. A fleshy meat cut in half with a flattened tip is painted brownish brown. On the skin, orange and brown dots are distinguishable. Dissolves small yellow buds.
Life cycle
In early summer, the lithops begin a dormant period. At home, it coincides with the onset of drought. This means that the indoor flower is no longer watered. The soil cannot be moistened, only if the leaves begin to wrinkle, you can pour a few teaspoons of water along the edge of the pot. Moisten only the surface of the soil.
In late August, the plant begins to wake up, it needs more abundant, albeit rare watering. The soil is well moistened, but completely dried between irrigation. You can notice that the gap between the leaves begins to expand and a flower bud is already visible in it. In autumn, after flowering, a new pair of leaves begins to be visible in the gap.
From the end of autumn to the beginning of winter, the growth of lithops slows down. An old pair of leaves gradually wrinkles and dries, exposing young shoots. The air temperature at this time should be within + 10 ... + 12 ° C, watering is completely stopped.
At the end of February, the old leaves dry completely and young shoots appear with a characteristic coloring for the species. Watering gradually resume to saturate the plant.
Propagation Features
Often, flower growers at home practice growing lithops from seeds. For this, in early March, the seeds are soaked for 6 hours in a solution of manganese, after which, without drying, they are distributed on the soil surface. For growing seedlings, sand, crushed red brick, clay soil and peat are mixed.
It is convenient to use a flat and wide box where the calcined and moistened soil mixture is placed. The plate is covered with glass and kept at a temperature of + 10 ... + 20 ° C. To accelerate the germination of seeds, it is necessary to create a fluctuation in night and day temperatures. The difference between them should be 10-15 ° C. For several minutes every day you need to ventilate the greenhouse, remove condensate and spray the soil from the spray gun.
Shoots become visible after 6-8 days. The earth is no longer sprayed and watered with great care. Airings are now made more often, but they do not completely remove the shelter. After 1-1.5 months, the seedlings are peaked in a permanent place, it is recommended to plant several tiny plants in one container at once.
Cultivation and care
To plant lithops, you need to pick the right pot. Since the plant has a highly developed root system, it should be quite voluminous and deep. A thick layer of drainage material is necessarily poured to the bottom of the tank. Florists say that in group plantings, lithops develop more actively. The soil for them should contain the following components:
- clay;
- small pieces of red brick;
- coarse river sand;
- leaf humus.
After planting, lay a layer of small pebbles on the surface.
Lithops prefer bright rooms. They are not afraid of direct sunlight. Living pebbles react poorly to a change of place and even a turn of the pot. After such actions, the plant may become ill.
Air temperature should be moderate, not more than + 27 ° C. For the summer, it’s good to make a pot of flowers out into the fresh air, but it should be protected from drafts and precipitation. Wintering must be cool (+ 10 ... + 12 ° C).
Succulents do not need high air humidity, but occasionally it is useful to spray water from a spray near. It is important to do this at a short distance, so that drops of water do not fall on delicate leaves.
Lithops should be watered sparingly and monitor compliance with dormancy and active growth. Water should not come into contact with the terrestrial parts of the plant. Excess fluid must be poured out of the pot immediately. Upward irrigation is preferred. Between irrigation it is important to dry the soil thoroughly.
Lithops are able to survive even on poor soils, so they do not need fertilizers. Excess fertilizing can only harm the plant. Instead, it is more beneficial to renew the soil in the pot more often (every 1-2 years).
With the right watering regime, lithops do not suffer from diseases. If the rot damaged the plant, it is practically impossible to save it. During the wintering period, mealybugs can settle at the roots. To avoid this, at the end of autumn, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment with an insecticide.
