The whole process of Lithops from pollination to seedling management

Pollination of Lithops

Parent selection for Lithops

When pollinating Lithops, you should try to choose closely related species as parents. Lithops that are more than 5 years old are almost all good parents. At the same time, you should choose side buds from two different plants of the same variety.

Pollination of Lithops

The flowering period of Lithops is very long. The 3rd to 5th day is the best time for pollination, and around 4 pm every day is the best time for pollination. For pollination, you can use a cotton swab to dip the pollen and apply it to the stigma of the mother plant. If you want to crossbreed, remove all the stamens of the female plant on the first day of flowering, then use ophthalmic forceps to grab the stamens or anthers of the male plant and apply them to the stigma of the female plant.

The pollination is successful when the stigma of the mother plant is covered with pollen and turns yellow, and the flowers begin to wither the next day.

Lithops harvesting and sowing

Lithops Seed Collection

The fruits of Lithops mature in spring and can be harvested when they become dry.

The harvested fruits should be cut from the base of the stalk and dried in a dark and ventilated place. Do not rush to open the fruits to take out the seeds. Instead, store them in sulfuric acid paper bags to promote the ripening of the seeds. You can sow in the autumn of that year.

Sowing of Lithops

The best time to sow is in mid to late September in autumn. It is best to sow densely, and sow different varieties separately in close quantities, and do not mix them.

When sowing, you can use a piece of cardboard to make a paper trough, place the seeds in the trough, and use tweezers to gently press the back of the trough, and the seeds will slowly and evenly spread along the trough to the surface of the potting soil. After sowing, cover with a transparent glass plate to keep moisture. After a week, gradually remove the glass plate, first lift up one corner of the glass plate, and then lift up the other corner after a week. It can be completely removed after one month.

Management of Lithops during the seedling stage

During the seedling stage of Lithops, the glass plates should be gradually removed to maintain sufficient and soft light.

Secondly, use multiple fungicides alternately and add some each time you water. To ensure a higher seedling rate.